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Washington Nationals vs. Braves Preview (8/12-8/14)

By Ricky Keeler

Aug 7, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) celebrates with first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) after scoring during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) celebrates with first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) after scoring during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Aug 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark (57) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyrell Jenkins (2-2, 3.92) vs. Tanner Roark (12-6, 2.88) – 1:35 p.m, MASN/WUSA9

Jenkins picked up a win in his last start on August 9 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He went six innings, gave up one run on three hits, struck out three, and walked three on only 77 pitches. In his last three starts, he is 2-0 and has given up three earned runs in 18 innings.

The 24-year-old right-hander was traded from the Cardinals to the Braves along with Shelby Miller in November 2014 for Jason Heyward. Jenkins made his Major League debut on June 22 and he has pitched at least six innings in four of his last five starts.

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Jenkins is known for his fastball, which can reach up to 95 miles per hour. Check out this scouting report Wayne Cavadi of Minor League Ball did on Jenkins back in April:

"“You may think that Jenkins doesn’t have good stuff, but he surprisingly does. He has an electric fastball that consistently comes in between 92 to 94 miles per hour, often topping out at 95. He has a power curve that is tough to hit when he is on, but has a tendency to lose it every now and then.”"

In his last start against the Giants, Roark went up against Madison Bumgarner and was able to get out of several jams. He went seven shutout innings, gave up five hits, struck out five, and walked three in a win.

Roark, who has a win in four of his last five starts, has a 2.43 ERA since the All-Star Break. If there is one thing to worry about with Roark, it’s the command. He has walked 11 batters in his last five starts, including three batters in two of his last four.

Next: District Daily: Lopez Likely To Start Saturday

Against the Braves this season, Roark went seven shutout innings, struck out four, and walked three in a win back on April 13. A.J. Pierzynski is 7-for-10 against Roark with a double, two home runs, and five RBI’s.

Prediction: Just like the first two games, it will be interesting to see how the Washington Nationals lineup adjusts against these pitchers they haven’t seen before. Even if the offense struggles, Roark has shown consistency all season long and he has a 2.54 ERA at home this season. Behind Roark, the Washington Nationals win this game and take two out of three in the series.

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