Proposed starters -
Friday: Gonzalez versus Cashner
Saturday: Zimmermann versus Marquis
Sunday: Strasburg versus Erlin
(Starting pitchers subject to change)
The Padres were a bit of a surprise this season, up until this current six-game losing streak. They lost the last three of a four-game series at Miami, just before getting swept in a three-game set at Boston. During the losing streak, they've only scored seven runs.
San Diego has some good arms in the rotation and bullpen. Cashner is a big, hard-throwing guy with a 1.17 WHIP and a .248 BAA. On 19 May, he did pretty well in a home start against Washington (6.2IP, 7H, 3ER, 1BB, 6K). Marquis is a cagey veteran. His stats don't jump out at you, but he competes and throws strikes. Marquis leads the team with 9 wins. Erlin is a slightly-built lefty rookie whose last start at Boston didn't go well (3.2IP, 5 H, 3ER, 3BB, 1K). Huston Street is the closer, but he's not "lights out" every time out. He's been known to give up a run here or there. His entering a one-run game isn't a guarantee he'll shut down the opponent.
Offensively, the Padres are a lot like Washington. Some guys are having decent years, but nobody's stats jump out at you. OFs Carlos Quentin and Will Venable supply some power. OF/IB Kyle Blanks is a hulking guy who can drive in a run. SS Everth Cabrera has 31 steals, but he's on the 15-day DL (strained left hamstring). Chase Headley was their big gun in '12, but he hasn't found a groove yet this year.
Defensively, OFs Venable and Chris Denorfia have decent range, but not plus arms. Teams can run on those two. SS Pedro Ciriaco has range and a good arm, but has 3 errors in his first 47 chances since coming over from Boston. Overall, they are a solid, not-flashy, defensive team.
For the Nationals, it's more of the same. After the 4-game split with Milwaukee, the team is one game over .500. Again. Wilson Ramos' return to the lineup on Thursday was a boost (5 RBI). As much as I like Suzuki as a catch-and-throw guy, Ramos is an offensive threat. Maybe the Thursday lineup is the one the team needs to use going ahead (Desmond batting 2nd, Werth batting 6th).
I expect a pitchers' duel on Friday, and Zimmermann/Strasburg fairly dominant over the weekend. Washington needs to win all three. The Nationals are only 6 games behind NL-East-leading Atlanta, with nearly half the season left. Washington still has a chance to fulfill the preseason expectations. When does the needed hot streak start?
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