A Head to Head Weekend Against the Phillies
The Nationals will take on the Phillies this weekend for the first series against them in 2014. Two exciting factors to pay attention to this weekend:
Pitching match-ups: Tonight we will see both team’s ‘big guys’ on the mound, Stephen Strasburg and Cliff Lee. Neither has had perfect start, but no worries there; both are still throwing the same quality stuff that we are all used to. Stras is currently 2-2 with a 4.24 ERA and Lee is 3-2 with 3.29. Tomorrow we have Tanner Roark vs. AJ Burnett, both of which completely tore up April in nearly every outing. Then we’ll see Gio Gonzalez up against Cole Hamels on Sunday.
The dominance of NL East: April was serious business for all five teams in the NL East in April as everyone of them have entered this month over .500. No other division is there yet. In other words, every game played is and has been an uphill battle. The good news for Nationals fans is, they are right up there with the rest of them. Yes, there have been a slew of injuries, but the pitching remains steady and there have been a number of unexpectedly strong performances by guys like Adam LaRoche, Anthony Rendon, and Aaron Barrett (to name just a few). Side note: Adam LaRoche is back in tonight’s lineup after sitting out for one game with quad tightness.
In addition to the above mentioned key factors this weekend, another important thing to note is Doug Fister’s final rehab start is happening tonight with the Harrisburg Senators. If all goes well, he is scheduled to start for the Nationals next Wednesday with the Nationals against the Dodgers. Also, Scott Hairston and Wilson Ramos could be back as early as next Monday, further strengthening the team.
This will be a fun weekend for Nats fans as an important early series to open up a new month of baseball is about to be underway.
