First Pitch: Friday 7:10, Saturday 4:05, Sunday 1:35
Arms: Friday: Stephen Strasburg, RHP (6-1 2.35 ERA) vs. Felix Doubront, LHP (6-2, 3.75 ERA)
Saturday: Gio Gonzalez, LHP (7-2, 2.31 ERA) vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Sunday: Jordan Zimmermann, RHP (3-5, 2.82 ERA) vs. Jon Lester, RHP (3-4, 4.64 ERA)
The Matchup
Last time
This will be the first meeting between the Sox and Nats since June 23-25, 2009 in Washington. The Red Sox won the first two meetings before the Nationals salvaged game 3. How about this blast from the past...Jason Bay was one of the Sox' top performers in the series and John Smoltz appeared in a game for the Sox during a very brief stay with the club.
This time
Laser Show: Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Don't Fall Behind: All 3 starters
Are you kidding? The highest ERA among the 3 starters in this series is 2.82. Strasburg and Gonzalez have the records to back up their performances, where Zimmerman has not been as fortunate with the run support. All Washington needs to do is scored a few runs and the pitching staff will not let the Sox back in the game. Rattle the starters just a little bit and the Sox starters should have an easier time with the Nationals' offense.
How we see it goin' down
The Red Sox are coming off of a great game against the O's, but they are heading into a series with some fierce pitching. I don't feel good about this series and believe Washington has the upper hand in at least 2 games in the series. The Nationals will take the first 2 and the Sox will salvage the final game.
