Washington has looked like one of the most well-rounded teams in the major leagues through six weeks, using impressive starting pitching and a dominant lineup to run roughshod over the competition. The Nationals are 24-13 on the season and already a full eight games ahead of the closest challenged in the National League East.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are only 16-22 overall and sit in last place in the National League Central. If they don’t turn it around in a hurry, Pittsburgh will be sellers at the trade deadline.
This series will be contested from Tuesday, May 16 through Thursday, May 18, 2017 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Thursday’s matchup will be televised nationally on MLB Network.
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Pitching Matchups
The Nationals will send star right-hander Stephen Strasburg to the hill on Tuesday. He is 3-1 on the season with a 3.28 ERA. Strasburg has an electric fastball and has struck out 45 batters in 46.2 innings of work. Strasburg was roughed up by the Orioles last time out but could put together a nice bounceback performance. Pittsburgh will counter with Chad Kuhl, who is 1-3 with a 5.81 ERA. Kuhl doesn’t have nearly the same swing-and-miss stuff as Strasburg and the Pirates will be at a disadvantage.
In the second game of the series, the Pirates are scheduled to start Gerrit Cole. While he is just 1-4 on the season, Cole has a 3.06 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 50 innings of work. He is one of the most talented young starters in the game and the Pirates could be favored in this matchup because of him. The Nationals have yet to announce their planned starter for Wednesday.
In the series finale, Washington will go with Tanner Roark. He is 3-1 with a 3.88 ERA on the year and a 1.23 WHIP. While Roark doesn’t have the same stuff as a guy like Strasburg, he is a reliable hurler. Glasnow has a big-time fastball but has struggled to harness it. He is 1-3 on the season with an ugly 7.98 ERA and must start figuring it out at the big league level or be faced with a demotion. He is averaging more than a strikeout per inning but walks have been a problem, as has a horrible WHIP of 2.08.
The Dynamic Duo
Everyone knew how good Bryce Harper was entering this season, and he has delivered with another unreal start at the plate. However, the fact that the Nationals are getting similar production from a former star who has battled injuries has made the offense that much more lethal.
Ryan Zimmerman has been a monster in the earlygoing, hitting .385 with 13 homers, 36 RBIs and a 1.222 OPS through 36 games. Harper has been right there with him, batting .384 with 12 home runs, 34 RBIs and a 1.252 OPS. Harper is getting on-base a ridiculous 50 percent of the time and leads the league with 40 runs scored.
Harper may not be this good all season, but he’s a superstar and will continue to put up great numbers. Zimmerman figures to fall off, but if he can be another big bopper in the lineup, the Nationals are going to be quite formidable in the postseason.
The Pirates have a pair of subpar starters set for this one, and they must try not to get feasted on by Harper and Zimmerman.
Missing Pieces
The Pirates are struggling to stay above water and the outlook is bleak for a couple of reasons. Star outfielder Starling Marte was suspended for 80 games early in the year and his absence has left a huge void in the lineup.
Jameson Taillon is one of the team’s better pitchers but he was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer and his return is unknown. Andrew McCutchen is playing for Pittsburgh, but he has struggled out of the gate and needs to really get it going for this team to have a shot at getting into the playoff race.
Even though the Nationals are on the road, they are the superior team and would love to grab two of three against the Pirates.
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