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Washington Nationals at Brewers Series Preview (6/24-6/26)

By Ricky Keeler

Jun 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Jun 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

After losing five straight on the West Coast, the Washington Nationals begin a three game series tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers

It was a rough West Coast trip for the Washington Nationals (43-30) as they lost five consecutive games. They were swept by the Dodgers in all three games and had many bad things happen. Stephen Strasburg missed his Monday start, Yasmani Grandal hit a game-winning three-run home run against Tanner Roark on Tuesday, and Michael Taylor had five strikeouts and had the error in the ninth that lost the game on Wednesday.

This weekend, the Washington Nationals will look to bounce back at Miller Park when they finish their ten game road trip against the Milwaukee Brewers (32-40). Out of the next 13 games, the Nats will play the Brewers six times. The Brewers are 15.5 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central and they have lost seven of their last nine games.

With the Brewers likely out of the playoff race, they are one of the teams to watch at the trade deadline. Left fielder Ryan Braun is hitting .320 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI’s to go with a .378 on-base percentage. Another trade name to watch is catcher Jonathan Lucroy (.305, ten home runs, 35 RBI’s).

As a team, the Brewers are tied for 23rd in baseball in runs scored and they have driven in only 73 runs this month (second fewest in the National League). Their leading home run hitter is first baseman Chris Carter (18).

Their starting pitching has the third worst ERA in the NL (4.76), but Zach Davies (tonight’s starter) has been one of their better starters. One pitcher to watch who won’t be facing the Washington Nationals this weekend is Junior Guerra (4-1, 3.67 ERA) and has held opponents to a .227 batting average.

In the bullpen, closer Jeremy Jeffress is 19-for-20 in save opportunities. Outside of Jeffress, Craig Counsell’s bullpen has given up the third most home runs of any team in the National League (33).

Before this series starts tonight, here is my breakdown of the three pitching matchups:

Next: Tonight's Matchup

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