My Team - Nationals at Cleveland

Proposed starters -

Friday: Gonzalez versus Masterson
Saturday: Zimmermann versus Kazmir
Sunday: Strasburg versus Kluber

(Starters subject to change)

The Nationals took two of the three-game series in Denver, and moved on to Cleveland. The Nats have won 4 of their last 5, have gotten one game over .500, and are barely in second place in the NL East.

Cleveland just finished a road trip by taking two of three at Texas. Their Friday starter, Masterson, is a budding ace. He's a big, durable guy who leads the Indians in wins (8) and strikeouts (92). He's the type of guy who can shut down Washington for 7 innings or so. However, he's given up 11 earned runs in his last two starts (13.1 innings, at the Yankees and at Detroit). I suspect he'll get back into a groove Friday night.

I guess Kazmir and Kluber may get turns as the weekend goes on. Kazmir is a reclamation project (1 game in '11, missed all of '12). His WHIP (1.59) and BAA (.299) allow Washington some hope. Kazmir gave up 4 earned runs in each of his last two starts (at Yankees, at Texas - 6 innings each start). At this rate, Washington might be able to squeak out a win scoring only 4 runs.

Kluber, a tall righthander, has been quietly effective (1.22 WHIP, .265 BAA). He went 8 innings last start at Texas, allowing only one earned run,

Offensively, Cleveland is average to slightly below average. They have some pop, but some guys will strike out. Mark Reynolds, Jason Kipnis and Nick Swisher will chase pitches or swing through others. But, they can hit the ball out of the park. With Carlos Santana, Mike Aviles, Michael Brantley and Drew Stubbs, they can do damage. Washington pitchers must avoid deep counts and poorly executed pitches.

Defensively, they're pretty sound. Michal Bourn is an above-average centerfielder, with lots of range. Stubbs and Brantley are center-field quality defenders playing corner outfield spots. Aviles can pick it also, but the team misses the spectacular Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop.

I guess Gonzalez gives up a couple of homers Friday night, and Cleveland wins. I also guess Washington gets great pitching Saturday and Sunday, winning both games. As a bonus guess, Washington scores exactly 4 runs each game of this series.