Washington Nationals: 5 storylines to watch against reeling Mets

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Can Gio continue dominant August?

During the month of August, Gio Gonzalez has had one of the best months of his career. While its only been three starts, he is 3-0 with a 0.46 ERA and has struck out 18 batters in 19.2 innings.

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If you go back to his near no-hitter against Miami on July 31, that ERA shrinks down to 0.33 in his last four starts. Since the All-Star break, Gonzalez has been one of the best pitchers in baseball and has put himself into the Cy Young conversation.

A lot of people were concerned that Gonzalez threw 121 pitches in his start last Sunday against the San Diego Padres. However, the Nats needed him to do that after most of the bullpen pitched Friday and the left-hander doesn’t throw the ball that hard, so that should help him.

One of the teams that Gonzalez has pitched well against in his Washington Nationals career is the New York Mets. In two starts this year, he is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA and has held the New York hitters to a .149 average.

If you are looking for a Mets hitter that could have success against Gonzalez, keep an eye on Juan Lagares. The Mets center fielder is 15-for-40 with three doubles, a triple, a home run, and four RBI’s. He will get more playing time in the outfield with Conforto on the disabled list.

Next: Dusty deserves return in 2018

Which players/storylines will you be focusing on this weekend? Let us know by sending us a comment below.

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