Washington Nationals At Dodgers Series Preview (6/20-6/22)

Tanner Roark (6-4, 3.14) vs. Scott Kazmir (5-7, 4.64) – 10:10 p.m., MASN

Even though Roark didn’t have one of his best starts against the Padres on June 16, he found a way to get the win. He went six innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, struck out five, and walked two to win his third game in his last four starts.

Roark did have a lot of success with getting the Padres to hit ground balls (11). But, six of San Diego’s seven hits were singles. The only extra-base hit was Myers’ home run in the bottom of the fifth.

During this four stretch where Roark is 3-0, the Nats have scored 30 runs, including eight or more in three straight games, so he has been getting plenty of run support. He has a 3.00 ERA in two games against Los Angeles, but he has never made a start. Gonzalez is the only Dodger hitter with a RBI against Roark (one home run).

After losing Zack Greinke in free agency, one of the moves the Dodgers made was to sign Scott Kazmir to a three-year deal worth $48 million (opt-out after this year). Even though Kazmir has had his struggles, he has not lost a start since May 9 against the Mets (seven starts).

In his last outing against the Brewers on June 16, he went four innings, gave up three runs on five hits, struck out eight, and walked two in a no-decision. He has 31 walks in 14 starts and has failed to go past the fifth inning in three straight outings.

Kazmir is 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA in two outings against the Washington Nationals, but he hasn’t faced them since 2014 when he was with the Oakland Athletics. The two players with home runs against him are Werth and Ryan Zimmerman.

Prediction: I predict that this game will be the one that has the most offense in this series. Both pitchers have received good run support from their respective offenses (Dodgers have scored 27 runs in Kazmir’s last four starts). This game could go either way, but I will go with the Nats in a close game.

Next: Wednesday's Matchup