Zimmerman in Left Field; Zimmermann on the Mound 6/3 Lineup and Preview
The Washington Nationals are coming off of a very peculiar home three game series against the Texas Rangers that saw them outscore the Rangers 9-2, 10-2, and then get shut out by Yu Darvish in the series finale 2-0. The series overall was a plus as they were able to get within one game of .500 however as a Nationals fan one must wonder which Nationals offense are they going to get for the rest of the season the team that scored 19 runs in two games of the team who has been shutout four times this season. To get a full understanding of what the Nationals offense is capable of this series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Nationals offense will receive a much needed boost in tonight’s game as Ryan Zimmerman will be making his first start since coming off of the DL do to a fractured thumb he received on April 12. However Zimmerman will be manning the hot corner like he has since he broke into the league instead he will be patrolling left field in place of the injured Bryce Harper. Now whether this move is permanent or not has not been said but for right now the starting left fielder for the Washington Nationals will be Ryan Zimmerman.
As fitting as it could be the starting pitcher for the Nationals on the day Ryan Zimmerman returns is Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann is coming off of a start against the Miami Marlins that saw him go only five innings as he gave up three earned runs. After starting out with an ERA of 2.92 in his first seven starts Zimmermann has struggled in his last four starts as he has an uncharacteristic ERA of 5.96. This will be Zimmermann’s first start against the Phillies this year however he is four and five verses the Phillies all time with an ERA of 3.94 in those games.
On the mound for the Phillies is David Buchanan who will be making his third career start. Buchanan in his two previous starts is 1-1 with a solid ERA of 3.86 as well as only giving up one walk in the 11 1/3 innings he has pitched. He will look to turn the sinking ship that is the Philadelphia Phillies organization around with his start today.
Before the game tonight it was reported that the Phillies had a closed door meeting to address and fix their problems that seem to have poured out onto the field as they have dropped nine of 13 and are a season-worst seven games under .500.
Washington Nationals Lineup:
Span 8
Rendon 5
Werth 9
LaRoche 3
Zimmerman 7
Ramos 2
Desmond 6
Espinosa 4
Zimmermann 1
Philadelphia Phillies lineup:
Rollins 6
Utley 4
Byrd 9
Howard 3
Ruiz 2
Brown 7
Brignac 5
Revere 8
Buchanan 1
