I love the Nationals here today especially with Ryan Zimmermann regularly back in the line up. James McDonald is a bigger reason though as he's been red hot with a 2.42 ERA, but his success on the road is not nearly the same as he posted a 5.42 ERA on the road last year over 15 starts. That was an ERA 2.23 higher than what he had at home and it's looking like the same trend this year. Nationals have saw him before he's 80% fastballs and curve balls and the Nationals are 8th vs. the fastball this year 2nd over the last 7 days. Actually the Nationals are starting to hit the ball and Ryan Zimmermann is a big reason why as he is protecting Bryce Harper who is starting to look like the prospect he is. Nationals have an .821 OPS over the last 7 days to the Pirates .555.
Pirates are last with a .612 OPS this year and they go up against Jordan Zimmerman who they have never faced so it's going to be the same old thing. Zimmerman throws fastball, slider, and curve ball and Pitt is ranked 30th, 29th and 27th vs. that pitch. I'm expecting a quality and dominating performance from him today as the Pirates bats continue to struggle big time.
