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Washington Nationals vs. Brewers Series Preview (7/4-7/6)

By Ricky Keeler

Jun 28, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) scores from 2nd base on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Chris Carter (not pictured) in the eighth inning during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) scores from 2nd base on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Chris Carter (not pictured) in the eighth inning during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Jun 30, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Zach Davies (27) pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Zach Davies (5-4, 3.22) vs. Gio Gonzalez (4-7, 4.81) – 7:05 p.m, MASN

In his last start against the Dodgers, Davies had his worst start of the season in terns of most runs allowed. He went 4.1 innings, gave up six runs on eight hits, struck out three, and walked two as he picked up his first loss since April 29 against the Marlins.

The problem for the 23-year-old right-hander in that start was that he gave up three home runs. In his first 13 starts of the season, he gave up a total of nine home runs. Despite a bad end to the month, Davies went 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA in six starts in June.

One of those six starts came against the Washington Nationals back on June 24. Davies went five innings, gave up three runs on seven hits, struck out nine, and walked one in a no-decision. Wilson Ramos went 3-for-3 against him that night with a RBI.

Gonzalez showed some progress against the Reds on Thursday as he picked up his first win since May 18 against the Mets. He went six innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out nine, and walked four during the win.

Now, it did help him that the Washington Nationals had a 13-1 lead after the fourth inning. But, Gonzalez did a good job in pitching to the scoreboard and now he will look to put his horrid June behind him (1-4, 6.95 ERA in six starts). With Joe Ross now on the disabled list, the Nats will need a lot more from Gonzalez.

In his start prior to the Reds outing, the left-hander went just three innings, gave up six runs on six hits, struck out five, and walked one in a loss to Milwaukee. One of those mistakes was a three-run home run by Chris Carter in the bottom of the first. Lucroy is 6-for-10 against Gonzalez with three RBI’s in his career.

Prediction: Both of these pitchers will face the opposition for the second time this season. Davies was impressive in that first outing as Ramos and Daniel Murphy were the only ones who figured him out. While Gonzalez showed progress against the Reds, I can’t trust him quite yet to win back-to-back games. Brewers get the win.

Next: Wednesday's Matchup

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