Nationals @ Orioles: Game Preview (6/23)

Nationals vs. Orioles

7:15 PM Orioles Park at Camden Yards

FOX

Story Lines:

• With their win last night, the O's are 3 for 4 in this years Beltway Series.
• The Nat's lineup continues to waste quality starters by their pitchers.

Pitching Match Up:

• Edwin Jackson
• 3-4 with a 3.02 ERA.
• Only 2 players on the Orioles are batting above .200 lifetime against Jackson.
• Has given up the 2nd most homers (8) and walks (25) on the team.

• Wei-Yin Chen
• 7-2 with a 3.36 ERA.
• First year in MLB/America in general.
• Gave up 6 runs in 4.1 innings last time out against the Nats.

Guys to Watch:

• Bryce Harper
• Went 2-3 with a triple and 2 RBIs in the first game vs Chen.
• Only Strasburg has a better average against Chen, he went 2-2 that game.
• Will be pressing to break an 0-8 slump at the plate.

• Brian Roberts
• Faced Jackson 21 times with a .200 average.
• Has also walked 6 times against Jackson.
• Is batting .270 since returning from his lengthy DL stint with a concussion.

Keys to the Game:

1. SOMEBODY show up in the 2-5 spot.  The lack of mid-lineup production is killing us.
2. Swing away.  Chen is a contact pitcher who frequently gives up 6+ hits a game.
3. Limit the Walks.  Free passes will make the homeruns hurt much worse.