Dan Straily (4-5, 4.38) vs. Joe Ross (7-4, 3.30) – 7:15 p.m, FOX
Against the Cubs back on June 27, Straily had one of his worst starts of the season. He went 3.2 innings, gave up seven runs on nine hits, struck out two, and walked three in his third straight loss. That was the game where Kris Bryant went 5-for-5 with three home runs and six RBI’s.
In five starts this month, Straily is 1-3 with a 6.43 ERA. That is a severe downgrade when you consider he had an ERA of under 3.50 in each of the first two months of the season. Over the course of his last 14 innings, he has allowed 17 runs and given up three home runs.
Against the Washington Nationals on June 4, the 27-year-old right-hander went seven innings, gave up two runs on two hits, struck out three, and walked two in a no-decision. Anthony Rendon is 1-for-2 against him with a home run and two RBI’s.
As for Ross, he responded well after a rough first three innings against the Mets on Monday. He went six innings, gave up four runs on ten hits, struck out seven, and walked one on 94 pitches in a win.
After giving up nine hits in the first three innings, Ross settled down and was able to pick up his fourth win in his last seven starts. After a rough start against the White Sox to begin this month, Ross only allowed 12 runs in his final four starts of the month. He has never faced any hitter on the Reds.
Prediction: With Straily struggling and Ross having an advantage in terms of nobody facing him in this lineup, I like the Washington Nationals offense to get ahead early against Staily and secure the win.
Next: Sunday's Matchup