Friday: Detwiler versus Teheran
Saturday: Strasburg versus Hudson
Sunday: Gonzalez versus Maholm
(starting pitching subject to change)
Sure, it's early in the season, but it's still an interesting match-up. Each team will want to make a statement, namely "we're gonna be in your face all year. You'd better take care of business for 6 months, 'cause we're gonna handle ours".
The Nationals' pitchers weren't quite as dominant against Chicago as many (including me) expected. Atlanta has a competitive offense. Justin Upton, Jason Heyward, Dan Uggla and Andrelton Simmons are dangerous hitters. B.J. Upton has so much offensive potential, but to this point in his career he's yet to consistently show it. Atlanta will make the Nats' staff work, much like the White Sox did.
On the mound, Atlanta is solid as usual. Their starters throw strikes & work fast. Their bullpen is missing Venters (could he be activated this weekend?), but O'Flaherty and Kimbrel are nearly unbeatable at the back end. What a dilemma for Washington - if you can't get runs against the Atlanta starters, and the Braves' bullpen is "lights out", against whom do you score?
I guess Detwiler pitches well Friday night, Strasburg is gonna do what he normally does on Saturday, and the Sunday game will be a pitchers' duel between two crafty left-handers. I guess Washington wins the first two, and Atlanta wins on Sunday.
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