Rockies @ Nationals: Game Preview (7/8)

Rockies vs. Nationals

1:35 PM Nationals Park

MASN-1

Story Lines:

• Final game before the All-Star break, Nats looking to finish strong.
• Former longtime Orioles Guthrie takes the mound for the Rockies tomorrow.

Pitching Match Up:

• Jeremy Guthrie
• 3-8 with a 6.28 ERA.
• Has NOT been good since joining the Rockies this season.
• First start since being taken out of the rotation earlier in the season.

• Jordan Zimmermann
• 5-6 with a 2.70 ERA.
• Has the best ERA of the rotation.
• Has gotten that "can't win at home" monkey off his back.

Who to Watch:

• Carlos Gonzalez
• Hitting .667 against J-zimm lifetime.
• Has game changing power ability and is batting well over .300 for the season (.339)
• Scored 2 runs the first game of the series before going 0-4 last game.

• Roger Bernadina
• The Shark is the only current National to have homered off of Guthrie.
• He is batting .250 with 2 RBI lifetime against the Rockies starter.
• Does not have a hit yet in the series.

Keys to the Game:

1. Start Ryan Zimmerman.  Duh. The guy has a run scored and an RBI in the first two games.
2. Knock Guthrie Out Before 7th.  His only 3 wins this season he pitched 7.0 innings.
3. Don't Change a Thing J-zimm.  Do what you do.  Its working.