Nationals @ Braves: Game Preview (6/30)

Nationals vs Braves

4:05 PM Turner Field

MASN

Story Lines:

• The Beast is Back.  Morse went 4-4 with a homerun yesterday in Atlanta.
• Strasburg looking to rebound.  Not often we have to say that, but the team did lose his last time out.

Pitching Match Up:

• Stephen Strasburg
• 9-2 with a 2.60 ERA.
• Pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs last start in Colorado.
• Lead the league in Ks with 118, 2 more than R.A. Dickey.

• Mike Minor
• 3-5 with a 6.14 ERA.
• Gave up 7 runs, 3 homeruns, in 4.2 innings against Boston last time out.
• Leads the league in homeruns surrendered with 18. 

Who to Watch:

• Ian Desmond
• Hitting .222 with a double in 10 appearances against Minor.
• Has a 5 game hit streak during which he has 7 RBIs.
• Leads the team in errors with 11 this season.

• Freddie Freeman
• Hitting .200 with a RBI in 5 appearances against Minor.
• Leads the Braves with RBIs (43).
• Went 1-2 with a walk and run scored yesterday.

Keys to the Game:

1. Homer Early.  Minor's confidence is already shaky, another early homer could end this game.
2. Get Guys In.  We had 15 hits, but only 5 runs last game.  That's because 9 men were LOB.
3. Let Stras Swing.  He is hitting .348 with a homerun this season at the plate.