Washington Nationals vs. Orioles Series Preview (8/22-8/25)

Wade Miley (7-10, 5.58) vs. Tanner Roark (13-6, 2.87) – 7:05 p.m, MASN

At the trade deadline, the Orioles acquired Miley from the Mariners for pitcher Ariel Miranda. It’s been a rough first four starts for Miley in Baltimore. On August 19 against the Astros, Miley went 1.2 innings, gave up six runs on six hits, and struck out five on 44 pitches in a no-decision.

In his four starts with the O’s, the 29-year-old left-hander has an ERA of 9.53 and has given up 18 runs in 17 innings. While Miley only had one win in the month of July for the Mariners, he had an opponents’ batting average of .249 and he had his lowest ERA in any month (3.45).

The month of August has been rough for Miley as opponents are hitting .359 in four starts. From his time with the Diamondbacks and Red Sox, he is 1-3 with a 3.78 ERA in six starts against the Washington Nationals. Ryan Zimmerman is 5-for-8 against Miley with three doubles, a triple, and four RBi’s.

Even though Roark got a no-decision against the Braves on August 19, he continued to be Mr. consistency for the Washington Nationals. He went 6.1 innings, gave up three runs on four hits, struck out three, and walked three on 103 pitches.

Roark did get some defensive help in Friday’s game when Ben Revere made a leaping grab to take a home run away from Freddie Freeman. He has pitched into the seventh inning or later in six of his last seven starts. Since the All-Star Break, he is 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA in seven starts.

Against the Orioles in his career, Roark is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three games (two starts). Jonathan Schoop is 2-for-3 against him with a pair of home runs and three RBI’s.

Prediction: Since the Washington Nationals are unlikely to get many innings out of Cole or Lopez, they will need Roark to have a strong outing Wednesday night. With the way Miley has been struggling for Baltimore, I think the Nats get their first win of the series in this one at Nats Park.

Next: Thursday's Matchup