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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
Jul 1, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark (57) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Garza (1-1, 3.74) vs. Tanner Roark (7-5, 2.93) – 4:05 p.m, MASN2

On Wednesday afternoon, Garza will be making his fifth start of the 2016 season. In his last start against the Cardinals on July 1, Garza went 5.2 innings, gave up four earned runs (seven total) on nine hits, struck out six, and walked three in his first loss of the season.

The one thing the 32-year-old has done this season is found a way to induce hitters into groundball outs. In his last three starts, he has recorded ten or more groundball outs. However, the problem for Garza has been his control as evident by having thee walks in each of his last two games.

One of those two games was against the Washington Nationals on June 25. Garza went six innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, struck out one, and walked three in his first win of the year. Danny Espinosa is 4-for-17 against him, but he has seven RBI’s.

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While Roark didn’t pick up the win in his last start, he still put together a strong outing against the Reds on July 1. He went seven innings, gave up two runs on eight hits, struck out four, and walked two in a no-decision.

Although Roark only threw 12 first pitch strikes to the 27 batters he faced, he did throw 62 of his 108 pitches for strikes. Like Garza, Roark has had success inducing groundball outs. In four consecutive starts, Roark has ten or more groundball outs.

Back on June 26, Roark filled in for Stephen Strasburg against the Brewers and did a good job. He went seven innings, gave up seven hits, struck out seven, and walked one in a win. Braun is 4-for-10 with a triple and a RBI against Roark in his career.

Next: Reaction: Takeaways From 12-1 Win Over Reds

Prediction: If the Washington Nationals can take advantage of their scoring opportunities against Garza unlike last time, I like their chances with Roark in the series finale. He has thrown seven innings or more in four of his last five starts and I expect that trend to continue on Wednesday.

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