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Washington Nationals vs. Minnesota Twins Series Preview (4/22-4/24)

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Apr 21, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer (7) hits a double in the fifth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer (7) hits a double in the fifth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Gibson (0-2, 3.57 ERA) vs. Gio Gonzalez (0-0, 0.69) – 7:05 p.m ET, broadcast on MASN

Gibson is in his third season in the big leagues. After only making ten starts in his rookie season (2013), the 28-year-old right-hander has made 30+ starts each of the last two seasons. Last season, he went 11-11 with a 3.84 ERA over 194.2 innings.

So far, this year, Gibson has struggled with his command as he has walked ten batters in his first three outings. With that being said, he has only given up three runs in his last two games and has thrown 102+ pitches in each outing this year. He has not faced the Nationals yet in his career. Daniel Murphy is 2-for-3 against him with a RBI from his time with the Mets.

As for Gio Gonzalez, he is off to a great start in 2016. The 30-year-old left-hander has given up just one run in his first 13 innings of the season with that one run being a solo home run from Carlos Ruiz on Sunday afternoon.

In his last start against the Phillies, Gonzalez went seven innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out eight, and walked two on 100 pitches in a no-decision. The problem for Gonzalez has been that the Nats have scored just four runs in his two starts combined.

Against the Twins, Gonzalez is 2-3 with a 7.00 ERA in seven career starts, but he hasn’t faced Minnesota since 2013. Joe Mauer is 5-for-17 against him with two home runs and two RBI’s.

Prediction: Even though the Nats offense is coming off of a game where they only had two hits, I would expect the offense to bounce back against Gibson. If Gonzalez can keep up the consistency from his first two starts, the Nationals should start the weekend series on a good note.

Next: Tomorrow's Matchup

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