After sweeping the Lastros, the Nationals look to continue their successful road trip in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. That means more weird start times as the Nats head either further west. The D-backs are over .500 and still in the hunt for a playoff spot, so they should prove to be a better challenge than the Astros were. Here is how the series stacks up.
Friday: 9:40 PM, Strasburg (12-5) vs Cahill (9-9).
Saturday: 8:10 PM, Jackson (6-7) vs Miley (12-7).
Sunday: 4:10 PM, Detwiler (6-4) vs Corbin (3-4).
Game of the Series: Sunday. Picking Sunday because it has the most reasonable start time and should be the closest of the three games. Sound of the Series: Jimmy Eat World. They are probably the only band I know from Arizona.
Prediction Time:
Putting my baseball knowledge to the test to say what the outcome of each game is going to be. Sometimes I even get it right! Comment here or on twitter @Dru90.
It seems like 4 game series are becoming the norm for the Nats as they hit the road for 4 games against the Astros. Here is how the series stacks up:
Monday: 8:05 PM, Jackson (6-7) vs Keuchel (1-4).
Tuesday: 8:05 PM, Detwiler (6-4) vs Lyles (2-8).
Wednesday: 8:05 PM, Gonzalez (13-6) vs Galarraga (0-1).
Thursday: 8:05 PM, Zimmermann (8-6) vs Harrell (9-7).
Game of the Series: Thursday. Zimmermann vs Harrell is a showdown between the best pitchers each team has to offer. Should be a good one.
Sound of the Series: Run To The Hills. This song gets me pumped up, so why not?
Prediction Time: My baseball knowledge is put to the test as I predict how the series is going to go. Tell me how wrong you think I am in the comments or on Twitter @dru90.
After going 7-1 last week, the Nats welcome the Phillies into DC for a three game series. The Phillies are in last place in the NL East, as they have been basically all season. Still, you can bet Philly fans will try and crowd our stadium during this series. If you can, get out to the park and catch a game. Here is how it stacks up:
Tuesday: 7:05 PM, Lee (1-6) vs Strasburg (11-4).
Wednesday: 7:05 PM, Hurley (5-6) vs Jackson (6-6).
Thursday: 7:05 PM, Hamels (11-5) vs Detwiler (5-4).
Game of the Series: Going with Tuesday. Sure Cliff Lee hasn't been himself this season, but how can you resist a Lee vs Strasburg Match Up.
Sound of the Series: With the talk of protecting our park from the Philly fans, this song came to mind. Welcome to the Jungle, Philly.
Prediction Time: My baseball IQ is on the line as I try and predict how the Nats will fare each series.
After splitting the series with the Braves, the Nats hit the road to face the New York Mets. Here is how the series breaks down:
Monday: 7:10 PM, Zimmermann (7-6) vs Young (2-4).
Tuesday: 7:10 PM, Gonzalez (12-5) vs Dickey (13-1).
Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Strasburg (10-4) vs Hefner (1-3).
Game of the Series: Tuesday. Gio vs Dickey. If this sounds familiar, that's because they faced each other on July 19th.
Sound of the Series: Song by Kiss, about New York. Hopefully that Nat's find their winning groove in NYC.
Prediction Time: Putting what I know about America's pasttime to the test by predicting the outcomes. Yell at me for my mistakes in the comments or on twitter @dru90.
The Nat's face off against their most immediate division rival in a 4 game series, which includes a double header. Needless to say, this one is a big deal. Here's how it breaks down:
Friday: 7:05 PM, Hanson (10-5) vs Strasburg (10-4).
Saturday: 1:05 PM, Sheets (1-0) vs Jackson (5-5).
Saturday: 7:05 PM, Delgado (4-9) vs Detwiler (4-3).
Sunday: 1:35 PM, Jurrjens (3-3) vs Zimmermann (7-6).
*with double headers pitching match ups are suspect to change.
Game of the Series: Saturday. Ben Sheets is second start in his long await return from injury and will be facing Jackson. If Strasburg can take care of Hanson, the series may depend on this game.
Sound of the Series: Seems like every series this year against the Braves has been huge. Well Here It Goes Again.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a baseball guy on the line by saying how the series is going to play out. I'm probably wrong so yell at me in the comments or on twitter @dru90.
The Nationals are coming back home for a three game series against the New York Mets. The Mets are several games out of first place (6.5 at the time of writing) and will be looking to crawl their way back into the picture during this series. Here is how it stacks up:
Tuesday: 7:05 PM, Niese (7-3) vs Detwiler (4-3).
Wednesday: 7:05 PM, Young (2-3) vs Zimmermann (6-6).
Thursday: 12:35 PM, Dickey (12-1) vs Gonzalez (12-4).
Game of the Series: With out a doubt Thursday. Dickey vs Gonzalez is an all star match between two of the games best pitchers this season. Should be a classic. Luckily for the Nats, Dickey has been hittable in his last few starts.
Sound of the Series: This week the song comes from Coheed and Cambria. This series is our chance to Welcome Home our All Stars in the first home series since the All Star break.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a baseball guy on the line each week, I predict how the series is going to turn out. Let me know how wrong I am in the comments or on twitter @Dru90.
All Star Break is over and the Nats are being thrown right back into the fray of the NL East. They face the Marlins in Miami in a four game series to open up the second half. As talked about, Davey is going with a new order rotation, so here is how the series stacks up:
Friday: 7:10 PM, Zimmermann (5-6) vs Johnson (5-5).
Saturday: 7:10 PM, Gonzalez (12-3) vs Buehrle (8-8).
Sunday: 1:10 PM, Strasburg (9-4) vs Nolasco (8-6).
Monday: 7:10 PM, Jackson (5-4) vs Zambrano (4-7).
Game of the Series: Saturday. Gonazalez versus Buehrle is the big time match up in this four game series. Buehrle is also the guy with this best shot of beating the Nationals on the Marlins.
Sound of the Series: Easy choice this week. The All Star Game is nice and everything, but baseball fans everywhere just want regular baseball back.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
So as some of you may or may not have noticed, for the better part of the first half of the season I have been adding this to the bottom of the Series Previews:
Prediction Time:
Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
Well, I decided the All-Star break was as good as time as any to actually see how I've been doing.
26 games predicted accurately out of 43 games.
I mean, I wouldn't make me your go-to guy for making sports betting decisions, but that's not half bad. Actually, it really isn't half bad because I'm rocking a 60% accuracy rating predicting games.
Of course, that is largely helped by the fact that I keep picking the Nats to win games and they keep winning. I think I've only predicted 2 series losses thus far, and the Nats have not disappointed in that department.
So here's to a win filled second half of baseball and hopefully raising my average. Come on Nats, make me look good!
After sweeping one of the hottest teams in baseball, the Nats continue their pre-allstar homestand with a three game series against the Rockies. It was during the last Colorado series that the Nats discovered their new found offensive firepower. Here is how it stacks up:
Friday: 7:05 PM, Pomeranz (0-3) vs Strasburg (9-3).
Saturday: 4:05 PM, Francis (2-1) vs Gonzalez (11-3).
Sunday: 1:35 PM, Guthrie (3-8) vs Zimmermann (5-6).
Game of the Series: Friday. You know Strasburg is going to be motivated after seeing the team lose during his last two starts.
Sound of the Series: Buster Poindexter's Hot Hot Hot seems like a pretty good song to describe how the Nats have been playing of late. Also the weather...I saw it was going to be 106 on Saturday.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
After surviving the Atlanta Braves and triple digit temperatures the Nats return home to Washington to face the newly first place San Fransico Giants. Here is how the series stacks up:
Tuesday: 6:35 PM, Lincecum (3-8) vs Zimmermann (4-6). *#IYNT Tweet-UP!
Wednesday: 11:05 AM, Bumgarner (10-4) vs Jackson (4-4).
Thursday: 7:05 PM, Cain (9-3) vs Detwiler (4-3).
Game of the Series: It's got to be Tuesday, the IYNT Tweet-Up. We'll all be at the game, will you?
Sound of the Series: I'm not sure these Giants are for real yet, that's why the music for this series comes from They Might Be Giants. Here is Till My Head Falls Off.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
Here we go again. Another series against the Braves, another battle for first place in the NL East. This time we enjoy a 3.5 game lead over them, but it would sure be nice to win some more breathing room over the next three games. Here is how it stacks up:
Friday: 7:35 PM, Detwiler (4-3) vs Delgado (4-8).
Saturday: 4:05 PM, Strasburg (9-2) vs Minor (3-6).
Sunday: 1:35 PM, Gonzalez (10-3) vs Hudson (6-3).
Game of the Series: Sunday. Gonzalez vs Hundson. This is not the Tim Hudson we roughed up last time out, he has really turned his season around and this series will likely come down to who out pitches who in this game.
Sound of the Series: Comes from Breaking Benjamin this week. Seems like every other series we are fighting for our first place lives, but here we are still atop the division. Blow Me Away.
They fall in line, One at a time, Ready to Play.
Everyone is lining up to take shots at dethroning us this season. We get everyone's A-game.
(I can't see them anyway), No time to lose, We've got to move.
No need to worry about anyone else if we play the way we are capable of.
Only the strongest will survive.
That's going to be us.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
The Nationals are leaving the DC area for a four game series against the Colorado Rockies. If anything is going to fix our offensive woes, its four games in mile high Coors Field. Here is how things stack up:
Monday: 8:40 PM, Strasburg (9-1) vs Francis (0-1).
Tuesday: 8:40 PM, Gonzalez (9-3) vs Friedrich (4-4).
Wednesday: 8:40 PM, Zimmermann (3-6) vs Outman (0-3).
Thursday: 3:10 PM, Jackson (4-4) vs White (2-5).
Game of the week: Monday. I'm personally very interested in how Strasburg will fair in Coors Field. I also can't wait to see our offense break out against Francis, who has a 8+ ERA.
Sound of the Series: Comes from Boston this week. There's no arguing we have been going through a rough patch, but Don't Look Back!
Don't look back, a new day is breakin'...
Forget about the last couple of series. Forget about not being able to score any runs.
It's been too long since I felt this way...
Let's get that optimistic vibe going strong again.
I don't mind where I get taken, The road is callin', Today is the day!
I certainly don't mind going on the road to face Colorado. Today is the day our slump is broken!
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
It's that time again, the Battle of the Beltways resumes with a three game series in Baltimore. Last time B-more and the Nats met both teams were in first place. Now Baltimore has fallen back behind the Yankees and the Nats have been dealing with offensive struggles and their fair share of losses. Here is how the series stacks up:
Friday: 7:05 PM, Zimmermann (3-5) vs Hammel (7-2).
Saturday: 7:15 PM, Jackson (3-4) vs Chen (7-2).
Sunday: 1:35 PM, Detwiler (4-3) vs Arrieta (3-9).
Just like the first time around, this series is going to come down to how well the Nat's pitchers can slow down the big bats of the O's. It'll be a little harder this time around because the Nats have the DH to worry about. If Adam Jones has a big series it probably will end up being an Orioles win.
Game of the Series: Friday. Zimmermann will look to set a tone against arguably the best pitcher for the O's. Starting off the series by keeping the O's bats silent will be vital if the Nats want to win in Baltimore this weekend.
Sound of the Series: Comes from the Rough Silk. When I heard Detwiler was back in the rotation I knew I needed to make the song Take a Chance on Me. To keep my man-cred I went with this metal-cover of the ABBA song.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
After a brutal series against the red hot Yankees, the Nationals look to rebound during a three game match up against the Tampa Bay Rays. Here is how things stack up:
Tuesday: 7:05 PM, Price (8-4) vs Wang (2-2).
Wednesday: 7:05 PM, Hellickson (4-3) vs Strasburg (8-1).
Thursday: 7:05 PM, Moore (4-5) vs Gonzalez (8-3).
Wang has the tough task of stopping the losing skid against David Price, who has been solid all season. Luckily, we have Stras and Gio going Wednesday and Thursday, which will almost certainly get the Nats back on the winning track. Game of the series is going to be Wednesday where you can be sure Strasburg will be out to deliver another fantastic performance.
And Eva Longoria had a setback on the set of Desperate Housewives and he won't be playing in the series.
Sound of the series: The Black Keys return to the nexus for this week. The Nationals are dealing with being swept, instead of doing the sweeping. Bryce Harper struck out everytime he was up last game. These are Strange Times in DC to say the least.
Prediction Time:
Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
After their second consecutive sweep, the Nationals come back home to face the New York Yankees. The Yanks are atop the AL East, but they aren't as dominate as they have been in the past. Still they should be tougher than the last two American League teams the Nat's dispatched handily. Here's how it stacks up:
Friday: 7:05 PM, Hughes (6-5) vs Gonzalez (8-2).
Saturday: 1:05 PM, Pettitte (3-2) vs Zimmermann (3-5).
Sunday: 1:35 PM, Nova (8-2) vs Jackson (3-3).
Game of the week is going to be Saturday. Pettitte has un-retired and has been pitching well above expectations. Zimmermann will be going for that all elusive home win that he can't seem to get. The outcome of the series will most likely hinge on this game.
Your sound of the series comes from: AC/DC. Bryce Harper and Nat's have been thrilling crowds during this road trip, so it's about time we get to take part in it. Shoot to Thrill...its got Robert Downey Jr. in it being Iron Man. I chose to pretend he was Harper the whole time.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
The Nationals continue their trip through the AL East with a three game stop off North of the border in Toronto. The Blue Jays are sitting in 4th place in their division and poses more of a challenge than Boston did. The Jays have one of the more potent offenses in the league. It will be up to our starters and bullpen to limit the runs and give the offense of the Nat's a chance to keep up with the big bats of Toronto. Here is how the series stacks up:
Monday: 7:07 PM, Jackson (2-3) vs Morrow (7-3).
Tuesday: 7:07 PM, Wang (1-2) vs Alvarez (3-5).
Wednesday: 12:37 PM, Strasburg (7-1) vs Drabek (4-6).
The Nat's catch an unlucky break having to match up Jackson against arguably the best starter in the Jay's rotation this season. If Jackson can out duel Morrow, this series should become very winnable with Strasburg projected to pitch Wednesday. The game of the series should be Wednesday afternoon where all eyes will be on Strasburg to see how he responds after throwing a career high 119 pitches last time out.
Your Sound of the Series comes from Plumtree. They are a band from the 90s, they are from Toronto...Perfect! Here is Fatherhood.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
Coming off a big series win against the Mets, the Nationals are hitting the road for a little American League action against the Boston Red Sox. That means it is DH time...which might be a bad thing for the Nats with the way our pitchers have been hitting of late. Here is how the weekend stacks up:
Friday: 7:10 PM, Strasburg (6-1) vs Doubront (6-2).
Saturday: 4:05 PM, Gonzalez (7-2) vs Matsuzaka* (0-0).
Sunday: 1:35 PM, Zimmermann (3-5) vs Jon Lester (3-4).
*Matsuzaka's first start of season
In a season where Washington has risen from the basement of the NL East, Boston has fallen to the bottom of the AL East. That's no reason to take them lightly, but the Nat's pitching makes this a very winnable set of games. Friday will be the game of the series with Strasburg going for his 7th win against Boston's most successful starter. Win Friday and we could be talking sweep here, something the O's fan in me would love to see.
Your Sound of the Series comes from the Dropkick Murphy's The Nats are shipping up to Boston...to play baseball in The State of Massachusetts. Yeah, I'm going with that song instead because how can you not be pumped up by this banjo intro:
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
After a rained shortened matchup against the Braves, the Mets are coming to town for a three game series. The Nats find themselves in a three-way tie for the division lead and guess what...one of those teams is the Mets. So yeah, this series is kinda important. Here's how it breaks down:
Tuesday: 7:05 PM, Young (0-0) vs Zimmermann (3-5).
Wednesday: 7:05 PM, Hefner (1-2) vs Jackson (1-3).
Thursday: 1:05 PM, Dickey (8-1) vs Chien-Ming Wang (1-1).
This is stacking up to be an incredibly tough series for the boys from Washington. Facing Dickey with our bottom of our rotation is...less than ideal. It will fall to Zimm to set the tone and get a win against Young, who is making his first start of the season.
Game of the Series: Wednesday. Jackson has pitched well this year, but had some rotten luck. He is going to need to be on his game if the Nats want to win this series, cause I'm not holding on hope for Thursday.
Sound of the Series: A New York band, The Strokes playing Reptilia.
If you like EXTREME closeups, this video is for you.
He seemed impressed by the way you came in.
All three of our pitchers this series have shown flashes of brilliance.
Yeah, the night's not over, You're not trying hard enough.
More then once Zimm and E-Jax have pitched strong games, only to collapse in the late innings. You ran me off the road, The wait is over, I'm now taking over.
Lack of run support and some defensive mistakes have derailed them, but it's time for these pitchers to step up and take a game over. Their stuff is good enough that they can do this.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
Nothing cures getting swept better than some home cooking. If you also happen to be playing a team that you just swept a few days ago, well that could help be useful as well. That's the exact situation the Nats find themselves in come Friday and here is how it breaks down:
Friday: 7:05 PM, Minor (2-4) vs Strasburg (5-1).
Saturday: 4:05 PM, Beachy (5-3) vs Gonzalez (7-1).
Sunday: 1:35 PM, Hanson (5-4) vs Zimmermann (3-5).
The Nats are only .5 games up over the Marlins for 1st place in the NL East. Thankfully, they have their top three pitchers going against Atlanta this series to try and right the ship. Game of the series is going to be Saturday, a rematch between Beachy and Gonzalez. Expect Strasburg to come out Friday looking to set the tone for the rest of the series and silence any doubters about the health of his arm.
Your Sound of the Series comes from Rise Against.
The Nats need to get some consistent offensive production, no one is going to argue that statement. Thankfully, Michael Morse has been hitting well in the minors and could be back during this series. Fear not Nats faithful, Help Is On The Way.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
I thought we just got finished with the fight for first place? After sweeping the Braves into 4th place in the NL East the Nats get to do battle with the 2nd place Miami Marlins. It's a three game series and this is how it breaks down:
Monday: 1:10 PM, Zimmermann (3-4) vs Zambrano (2-3).
Tuesday: 7:10 PM, Jackson (1-2) vs Sanchez (2-3).
Wednesday: 7:10 PM, Wang (1-0) vs Johnson (2-3).
This series is winnable for the Nationals even though the Marlins are red hot. Zambrano has been a warrior on the mound all season, but he hasn't been un-hittable by a long stretch. The Nationals should have no trouble carrying over their offensive successes from the Braves series into this one. The game of the week is definitely going to be Wednesday, where Chien-Ming Wang seems the probable option to replace Ross Detwiler in the rotation and make his first start of the season.
Your Sound of the Series against the Marlins comes from Reel Big Fish. Get it?
Davey Johnson said he wished Detwiler would have taken on the Braves hitters more in his last start. In the spirit of that advice, and because the video takes place in a sports stadium/arena tunnel, here is Take On Me.
Prediction Time: Putting my reputation as a "baseball guy" on the line by predicting
the outcomes of each series. Feel free to yell at me in the comments or
on twitter @dru90.
