Rockies @ Nationals: Game Preview (7/7)

Rockies vs. Nationals

4:05 PM Nationals Park

MASN-1

Story Lines:

• Nats look to avoid dropping their first series since playing Baltimore.
• High Heat.  Tomorrow will be the hottest day yet, with temps possibly reaching as high as 106.

Pitching Match Up:

• Jeff Francis
• 2-1 with a 5.16 ERA.
• The Rockies beat the Nats last time Francis pitched.
• In fact...the Rockies have won the last 5 games he has started.

• Gio Gonzalez
• 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA.
• Has gotten the team a win his last three starts after a Strasburg loss.
• Is 1 win behind R.A. Dickey for most in MLB.

Who to Watch: 

• Michael Cuddyer
• Batting .417 against Gio with a homerun in 16 appearances.
• Has 12 homeruns on the season and 50 RBIs.
•  Homecoming:  Cuddyer was born and raised in Virginia.

• Ryan Zimmerman
• Batting .500 with a homerun in 18 appearances against Francis.
• Has grounded in 13 double plays this season.
• Has a homerun in the last 4 series.

Keys to the Game:

1. Water, Water Everywhere.  Could be dealing with 106 to 110 degree temps by game time.
2. Focus.  Didn't look like the Nats had it until the 9th inning last night.
3. RBIs For Zim.  Nats are 5-3 when Zim gets 2 or more RBIs.