Washington Nationals: 5 storylines to watch at Miller Park
By Ricky Keeler
This weekend, the Washington Nationals are in Milwaukee to play a four game series against the Brewers. Here are 5 storylines to keep an eye on
The Washington Nationals (81-51) are starting to get healthy as Trea Turner and Jayson Werth returned to the starting lineup this week. Against one of the hottest teams in baseball, the Nats swept the Miami Marlins and decreased their magic number to clinch the NL East to 16 games.
After a 5-2 homestand, the Nats are back on the road for seven games beginning with a four game series tonight at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers (69-64). Last month, the Nats won two of three against Milwaukee at Nats Park, including a game in where they hit four home runs in the first inning.
Right now, the Brewers are in the mix for both the NL Central division title and the wild card race. Craig Counsell’s club is 3.5 games behind the Cubs in the central and three behind Colorado in the wild card.
When you look at Milwaukee’s offense, they are second in the National League in home runs with 191. They have four players with 20+ home runs, including first baseman Eric Thames (28). However, since the All-Star break, Milwaukee has scored the fewest runs in the NL (153).
On the mound, the Brewers don’t have an ace at the top of the rotation, but Zach Davies is tied for the league lead in wins (15) and Jimmy Nelson has the third most strikeouts in the NL since the All-Star break (63).
In the bullpen, the Brewers have one of the most underrated closers in baseball in Corey Knebel. Another reliever to watch is rookie Josh Hader, who has 17 strikeouts over 11.1 innings this month.
Let’s take a look at the four pitching matchups for the series
Tonight: Gio Gonzalez (13-5, 2.40 ERA) vs. Zach Davies (15-7, 3.91) – 8:10 p.m ET, broadcast on MASN2
Tomorrow: Tanner Roark (11-8, 4.63) vs. Jimmy Nelson (10-6, 3.75) – 8:10 p.m, MASN2
Saturday: TBA (Erick Fedde)? vs. Brandon Woodruff (1-1, 1.62) – 7:10 p.m, MASN2
Sunday: Max Scherzer (13-5, 2.21) vs. Matt Garza (6-8, 4.77) – 2:10 p.m, MASN2
Now let’s look at my five storylines for this series, starting with something that will take place across the league on Friday