My Team - Nationals at Dodgers

Projected starters -

Monday: Zimmermann versus Beckett
Tuesday: Haren versus Kershaw
Wednesday: Detwiler versus Magill

The Nationals finished the home stand losing two of three to the Cubs. It looked like Washington's offense was starting to come around, until Edwin Jackson and Scott Feldman pitched like the unflappable pros they can be. Tough part was Strasburg and Gonzalez came out and also pitched like wizened veterans early in their respective starts. Team defense and lack of timely hitting cost the Nats on Saturday and Sunday. Eventually, that will change. Maybe this week on the West Coast...?

Ryan Zimmerman is still fighting throwing issues. Maybe some hot weather will loosen up his shoulder a bit. Offensively, Desmond is heating up a bit, hitting for power while his batting average climbs. Lombardozzi provides a pinch-hitting spark. Tracy and Moore, however, are struggling in their opportunities. This year, the bench hasn't gotten those late hits that aid in comebacks.

The Dodgers are sub-.500 after expectations of higher performance. There are some bright spots, though. Carl Crawford appears to be healthy and productive again. Adrian Gonzalez is hitting for average and driving in runs. Matt Kemp is heating up after a slow start. A.J. Ellis is an underrated catcher, especially at the plate.

However, the team has had a revolving door at third base (Luis Cruz isn't quite the answer yet) and at shortstop (Hanley Ramirez has been hurt, and Dee Gordon isn't quite the answer yet, either). Mark Ellis is solid at second, but he's more of a number 2 hitter than an RBI guy.

On paper, the pitching looked formidable at season's start. Clayton Kershaw is one of the best in the business. Zack Greinke, Ted Lilly and Chad Billingsley are high-quality, but hurt. Chris Capuano has had good years in the majors, but hasn't quite smoothed things out this year. Josh Beckett isn't the big-game pitcher he was with Florida and Boston, and looks like he's on the downside of his career.

For my guesswork, Zimmermann comes out on Monday night and shuts down the Los Angeles. Haren baffles Los Angeles on Tuesday with an assortment of just-off-the-plate cutters. Detwiler gives the Nationals 6 strong innings, but the bullpen costs him the win. I think the Nationals win the first two of this three-game set.