Proposed starters -
Monday (D.C.): Gonzalez versus Hammel
Tuesday (D.C.): Zimmermann (?) versus Gausman
Wednesday (Balt.): Haren versus Tillman
Thursday (Balt.): TBD versus Garcia
(Starters subject to change)
This is one of those interesting interleague series where the cities are in close proximity. This four-game set can be split between the two cities in short duration. This version of the Beltway Series has the first two at Nationals Park and the last two at Camden Yards. The Orioles just finished taking the first two of a three-game set at Toronto. The Nationals took two of three in a home series against Philadelphia.
The Nats are starting to deal with even more injuries. Espinosa finally gave in to the effects of a broken bone in his hand, but he's not on the disabled list. Detwiler has a strained right oblique, and is on the 15-day D.L. Matheus broke his right hand punching a wall last week. Harper dinged a knee Sunday. Werth is still out with his bum right hamstring. Ramos has a bum left hamstring. Yeesh.
The guys who are healthy have to fill in the gaps. Lombardozzi is playing well afield, and getting clutch hits. Bernadina and Moore are playing solid defense, but Moore is just now starting to get some hard-hit balls to find open field. Suzuki is playing first-rate defense and getting clutch hits towards the bottom of the batting order.
The Orioles have one of the most potent offenses around. They lead the majors with 68 home runs so far. Between Davis, Jones, Hardy, Markakis, Wieters and Machado, they can score runs. Their starters are middle-of-the-pack, but the bullpen is competitive. If the Nats are to win any games in this series, they must take advantage of Baltimore's starters. The Orioles catch the ball well as well, so Washington can't count on fluke errors to keep innings alive.
For the Nats, after Gonzalez on Monday the rotation is in flux. Tuesday would be too soon for Zimmermann to start, but the adjustments haven't been announced. Somewhere in there, Haren will start. Maybe a call-up from Syracuse will fill in on Tuesday or Thursday. Maybe Duke gets another start. We will see.
My guess is Gonzalez pitches a gem at home on Monday, keeping Baltimore's bats at bay. But, Tuesday through Thursday will be an Oriole slugfests. Their offense is too strong and the Nationals' starting staff isn't stable enough to shut Baltimore down for four straight games. I guess Baltimore wins the last three of this four-game split series.
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