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Washington Nationals at Phillies Preview (8/29-8/31)

By Ricky Keeler

Aug 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) in action against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) in action against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Aug 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) pitches during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Gio Gonzalez (9-9, 4.25) vs. Adam Morgan (1-8, 6.50) – 7:05 p.m ET, MASN2

Gonzalez picked up his 100th career win against the Rockies in his last start on August 27, which was the only win the Nats had against Colorado this past weekend. He went six innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out five, and walked one on 85 pitches in a win.

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The Washington Nationals lone left-handed starter is 3-0 in his last five starts. While he has a 4.05 ERA in the month of August, opponents are hitting only .230 against him this month and .222 since the All-Star Break. He has given up more than three earned runs in an outing once in his last 11 starts.

Against the Phillies this season, Gonzalez is 0-1 in two starts, but he does have an ERA of 1.35 and has given up only two earned runs in 13 innings. In his last six starts against the Phillies dating back to 2015, he has given up ten runs. Freddy Galvis is a .258 hitter against Gonzalez with a home run and two RBI’s.

Back on August 26 against the Mets, Morgan went five innings, gave up six runs on eight hits, struck out eight, and walked two on 91 pitches in a loss. In fact, Morgan’s only win of the season came all the way back on May 10 against the Braves.

Next: Nats Player Of The Week (8/22-8/28): Trea Turner

This year, teams are hitting .320 against Morgan. The 26-year-old left-hander had a chance to beat the Washington Nationals on June 12, but that was the day Werth hit a walk-off, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth. Morgan has faced the Nats twice this season and he is 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA. Wilson Ramos is 3-for-5 against him with a home run and five RBI’s.

Prediction: After a couple of bad series this past week, the Washington Nationals need a great series in Philadelphia this week to go into September on a good note. The Nats have the edge in all three pitching matchups and with the way Gonzalez has pitched lately, the Nats have a good chance to pick up another sweep against Philadelphia.

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