Nationals @ Braves: Game Preview (7/1)

Nationals vs Braves

1:35 PM Turner Field

MASN

Story Lines:

• Gio's Curveball.  He has had trouble throwing it in his last two starts and, therefore, looked human.
• Gio and Hudson are the best pitchers each team has going right now with Strasburg's struggles and Beachy's injury.
• It's going to be hot.  101 degree game time temp.

Pitching Match Ups:

• Gio Gonzalez
• 10-3 with a 2.78 ERA.
• Has given up 5 runs and recorded 15 K's in two starts against Atlanta this season.
• Has only given up 3 homers all season, two of them came in his last start in Colorado.

• Tim  Hudson
• 6-3 with a 3.58 ERA.
• Gave up 7 runs in 6.2 innings last time he faced the Nationals.
• Pitched 8 innings of 1 run baseball his start.

Who to Watch:

• Ryan Zimmerman
• Has faced Hudson 52 times, batting .200 with 5 RBIs.
• Yesterday broke a 6 game hitting streak he had going.
• Rocky Mtn air was good to him, he batted .380 with 2 homers against Colorado.

• Michael Bourn
• Batting .600 lifetime against Gio.
• Leads the team in stolen bases with 22.
• Walked 3 times last game, crossed the plate twice.

Keys to the Game:

1. Beat the Heat.  Safe to say the heat, and not the Braves, did Stras in yesterday.
2. Harper Gets On.  Went 0-5 yesterday.  Need him on base to create RBI chances.
3. No more Wang please.  Get this thing to the later innings and let the back end of the pen do what it does.