District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals: Predictions For Dodgers-Nats NLDS

By Ricky Keeler

Jul 21, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andrew Toles (60) beats the throw to Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) at third base during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andrew Toles (60) beats the throw to Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) at third base during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 8
Next
Washington Nationals
Aug 31, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

One key for the Nationals to have success against the Los Angeles Dodgers is to receive great contributions from someone in the rotation besides Max Scherzer.

Scherzer was the club’s best pitcher in the regular season, but he wasn’t the only reason the Nats were second in the National League with a 3.60 rotation ERA. There were other pitchers on the staff who upped their game, such as Tanner Roark and Gio Gonzalez.

Roark led the Nats’ rotation with a 2.83 ERA and was second in innings pitched (210).

He took over the role of second-best starter on the team when Stephen Strasburg went on the disabled list and was superb during the 2016 campaign.

Gonzalez had mixed results this season as there were some starts he was lights out and other occasions it was a monumental struggle for him. This led to the southpaw compiling a 4.57 ERA in 170-plus innings. He is a quality pitcher, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the right version of Gio in the postseason.

It’s expected that Scherzer will set the tone in the first game of the NLDS with a stellar performance. If Roark and Gonzalez can do the same, the Nationals have a great chance of advancing to the NLCS.

Prediction: Nats win the series in five games over the Dodgers.

In the number six spot, we have staff writer Josh McPeak, who says the Nats offense will carry the day

Home/Nationals News