District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals At Padres Series Preview (6/16-6/19)

By Chris Lacey

Jun 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Wil Myers (R) is congratulated by right fielder Matt Kemp (27) after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Wil Myers (R) is congratulated by right fielder Matt Kemp (27) after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Jun 5, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

Tanner Roark (5-4, 2.93 ERA) vs. Erik Johnson (0-3, 7.71 ERA) 10:10 p.m. ET, broadcast on MASN

Roark has been a solid member of the Nats’ rotation, and one reason for his success is yielding just five home runs in 80 innings.

He isn’t someone that will rack up a ton of strikeouts as he has fanned just 72 batters. The right-hander has given up three earned runs or less in seven of his last nine starts, and his ERA over that stretch is 3.05.

There are just three starts this season in which he has surrendered more than three runs. Roark is limiting the opposition to a .236 average. He has a 3.75 ERA in six starts on the road. He remains effective with runners in scoring position, as teams have a .250 average in this situation.

Roark has a 0.45 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Padres. Upton Jr, is 2-for-14 against him with five strikeouts.

Johnson was on the Chicago White Sox roster when the season started but was sent to the Padres as part of the James Shields trade. He made just two starts for the White Sox and posted a 6.94 ERA in 11.2 innings. Johnson’s debut with the Padres wasn’t terrific. He gave up five runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings in a loss to the Rockies on June 11.

The right-handed pitcher had started just 16 games in his career before this season began. He will get a chance to prove he deserves to stay in the Padres’ rotation, considering they don’t have better alternatives.

Johnson has allowed opposing teams to hit .338 against him, and right-handed batters are hitting a robust .364 facing him. This would mark his first career start against the Washington Nationals.

Prediction: If the Nats can score runs off Johnson early and give Roark a lead, they should have no problem winning the opening game of the series.

Next: Tomorrow's Matchup

Home/Max Scherzer