Washington Nationals: 5 storylines to watch at Wrigley Field

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The Washington Nationals are in Wrigley Field this weekend to take on the defending champion Chicago Cubs. Here are our 5 storylines to watch

It was a rough last couple of days for the Washington Nationals (63-43) in Miami. The offense had a six-run second inning on Tuesday, including a home run from Max Scherzer. However, Scherzer left that game in the bottom of the inning with neck spasms and the Nats haven’t scored a run since that point.

Despite losing two of three to the Marlins, the Nats still have a 12 game lead in the NL East with 56 to go and Gio Gonzalez gave everybody a great moment Monday night when he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning in one of the best outings of his career.

Today, the Washington Nationals are at Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs (57-50). Back in late June (June 26-29), these two teams split a four game series at Nats Park, but the Cubs are a much better team now as they currently lead the NL Central by 1.5 games over the Milwaukee Brewers.

If you go back to July 1, the Cubs are 17-10 and they have won 14 of their last 19 games since the All-Star break. They have scored the second most runs of any team in the NL during that span. The two big changes for the Cubs, however, have been pitching wise with the trades for starter Jose Quintana and reliever Justin Wilson.

As for the offense, Chicago has three players with ten or more RBI’s since the break and their RBI leader is catcher Willson Contreras (24). Also, first baseman Anthony Rizzo has six home runs in his last 18 games.

On the mound, the Cubs starting rotation of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, and Quintana are 10-3 over their last 14 games. The big difference has been Arrieta, who has a 2.05 ERA and has held the opposition to a .154 average over his last four games. If he’s back on point, then that makes their rotation tough to beat.

Right now, these two teams would meet in the NLDS if the season ended today and most think this will be the matchup two months from now. It would be a tough matchup for the Nats. However, to be the champ, you have to beat the champ.

Here are the pitching matchups for this weekend’s series:

Today: Tanner Roark (8-7, 4.93 ERA) vs. Kyle Hendricks (4-3, 3.80) – 2:20 p.m ET, broadcast on MASN/MLB Network

Tomorrow: TBA vs. John Lackey (8-9, 4.87) – 2:20 p.m, MASN/MLB Network

Sunday: TBA vs. Jon Lester (8-6, 3.96) – 2:20 p.m, MASN/TBS

To start our five storylines, we look at one Washington Nationals player who needs to prove something to Joe Maddon.

(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Ryan Zimmerman looking for momentum

Like most of the Washington Nationals offense, Ryan Zimmerman struggled against the Miami Marlins this week. He was 0-for-12 and struck out five times out of the cleanup spot. But, this was after hitting four home runs within a three day period last weekend.

While this series is only three games, Zimmerman could use some success against the Cubs if these two teams do meet in the postseason. Back in June, the Nats first baseman was 2-for-16 with a double and drove in three runs.

Dating back to last season when Joe Maddon kept walking Bryce Harper to face him, Zimmerman is 6-for-48 with six RBI’s and has struck out 15 times. There is no way to tell if the Cubs are in Zimmerman’s head because its only one opponent. However, a great series this weekend could go a long way into changing Maddon’s strategy.

Outside of the great weekend last week, Zimmerman has struggled since the All-Star break. While he has 13 RBI’s in his last 62 at-bats, he has also struck out 17 times and hit .210. The 17 K’s are tied with Harper for second on the team and six behind Brian Goodwin (23).

If Zimmerman struggles this weekend and doesn’t get the clutch hits with Harper on base, would Dusty Baker end up using Murphy or Rendon behind Harper and drop Zimmerman further down in the order? Whatever the outcome is this weekend, a lot of the national attention is going to be on Zimmerman based on what happened last year.

New bullpen acquisitions on display

Both the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs made significant changes to their bullpen since the two teams met at the end of the June. First, let’s start with the Chicago Cubs, who added left-hander Justin Wilson to be the setup man to Wade Davis.

The Washington Nationals were one of the finalists in the Wilson sweepstakes before he was dealt to the Cubs on July 30. He has appeared in each of the last two games and has given up three hits and a run. After pitching back-to-back days, you would think he wouldn’t be available today.

In 44 games, Wilson has a 2.76 ERA, 13 saves, and has struck out 58 batters in 42.1 innings. During the month of July, he held opposing hitters to a .118 batting average with one home run. Maddon might use him in the eighth inning against the heart of the Nats order because he can face lefties and righties.

As for the Washington Nationals, their bullpen looks a lot different with the acquisitions of Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson, and Brandon Kintzler (who made his debut Wednesday night). While the roles aren’t fully settled yet, the Nats shouldn’t be in a position like they were in June where someone not a closer has to save a game (i.e Blake Treinen).

Now, the big question for the Nats will be how they deal with the loss of Enny Romero, who is on the disabled list with forearm tightness. That will mean they need Sammy Solis to step up as the third left-handed middle relief option besides Matt Grace and Oliver Perez.

Willson Contreras a factor behind the plate

When you look back to that June series between these two teams, the Cubs player who showed the most power was Contreras. Even when Maddon used him in the leadoff spot, the power showed up when he was 4-for-12 with two home runs and four RBI’s in four games.

At the deadline, the Cubs went out and acquired Alex Avila in that Wilson deal, but Avila is going to be the backup catcher since Contreras has proven he can handle catching almost everyday.

Since July 1, the 25-year-old has nine home runs and has driven in 22 runs. Out of those 21 RBI’s, 18 of them have been driven in since the All-Star break. Yesterday, he hit two home runs and drove in six runs in a loss against the Diamondbacks.

This year, Contreras is hitting .258 at Wrigley Field with six home runs. Meanwhile, on the road, he is hitting .291 with 11 home runs and has an on-base percentage of .389.

The bat stands out when you watch Contreras, but he also does a good job of controlling the running game. True, the Nats haven’t stolen many bases since Trea Turner went on the disabled list, but Contreras has thrown out 20 of the 47 runners trying to steal bases on him this year.

Yes, the Cubs offense has a lot of big names such as Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Kyle Schwarber (just to name a few). However, don’t sleep on Contreras behind the plate due to his power, speed, and Maddon can find a way to put him in any spot in the batting order.

Tanner Roark, then who?

As of 8 a.m this morning, it is unknown who will start for the Washington Nationals in the final two games of this series. The only sure starter that is known right now is that Tanner Roark will start in today’s opener.

Over the last month, the Nats rotation has been hit with its fair share of injuries. Stephen Strasburg is still on the disabled list with an elbow injury and Max Scherzer had to leave Tuesday’s start with a neck injury. Plus, Gio Gonzalez might have to go on paternity leave.

It is safe to say the rotation this weekend will not be the rotation that lines up for the first three games of the NLDS in two months. However, it could give opportunities for other pitchers to step up in an atmosphere that might feel close to an October game.

If Gonzalez does go on paternity leave, the team could call up Erick Fedde and give him another chance. Also, Edwin Jackson has had two good outings in the three starts he has had as the number five starter. Those pitchers won’t feel the same pressure as Roark.

Last time out, Roark struggled to put away hitters and he paid the price for it against the Rockies. He went five innings, gave up four runs on five hits, struck out eight, and walked four in a loss. The only two hitters in the Cubs lineup to have home runs against him are Bryant (4-for-8, one home run) and Rizzo (4-for-15, two home runs).

The Nats don’t need to rush any of these pitchers back, but let’s just say the odds might be against them this weekend facing Hendricks, Lackey, and Lester.

Dusty Baker vs. Joe Maddon

If these two teams do end up playing in the NLDS, then the managerial matchup will be in the spotlight. Maddon wasn’t the manager of the Angels in 2002, but he did win a World Series ring on the coaching staff against Baker’s Giants. Then, last year, Maddon won the World Series as the manager of the Cubs.

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Last season, Baker didn’t make any bad decisions in the NLDS against the Dodgers, but Dave Roberts made bold moves that ended up working out in his favor. That being said, Baker doesn’t have a good track record in close out games in the playoffs.

While this isn’t the playoffs, there is one thing to look out for with each manager in this series. With Maddon, it’s going to be about whether or not he decides to pitch to Bryce Harper. Does Harper’s slump play a factor in his decision or does he pitch around him and make Ryan Zimmerman beat him?

As for Baker, it’s going to be about how he uses the bullpen and the new arms in it. During the Marlins series, the decisions to bring Matt Albers in with runners on backfired on him. If the top starting pitchers don’t pitch this weekend, then Baker has to be aware not to use them too long and have somebody ready in the bullpen.

Next: Kendrick off to great start

What storylines will you be watching this weekend when the Washington Nationals take on the Chicago Cubs? Let us know in the comments section below.

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