What to Watch for: 6/27
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Washington Nationals (42-30) vs. Colorado Rockies (28-45)
RHP Jordan Zimmermann (3-6, 2.89) vs. LHP Edwar Cabrera (0-0, -.–)
After last night’s impressive 12-5 victory, which produced Gio Gonzalez’s 10th win of the season, and Ryan Zimmerman’s 1,000th career hit, the Nationals look to make it two in a row vs. Colorado. Jordan Zimmermann hopes to receive reasonable run support as he sails into this game with a 2.89 ERA against the Rox rookie pitcher, Edwar Cabrera, making his first Major League start.
NATIONALS LINEUP
1. Espinosa 2B
2. Harper CF
3. Zimmerman 3B
4. Morse RF
5. Desmond SS
6. DeRosa LF
7. Moore 1B
8. Solano C
9. Zimmermann RHP
VIEW FROM THE TOP
The Nationals—thanks to Tuesday’s 12-5 win in Denver and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ loss at AT&T Park—now own the best record in the National League. Before today, the Nationals had exclusively held the NL’s best record only three days since coming to D.C. All three dates came in 2008: April 2 (3-0 record), March 31 (2-0) and March 30 (1-0). With the win, the Nationals also remain 3.5 games ahead of the Braves in the NL East standings. Washington has either led the NL East or shared the top spot for 73 of the season’s 83 days. Only the Rangers and the Dodgers (80 each) have more days atop of their divisions in 2012.
FACING NEW FACES
With LHP Edwar Cabrera slated to make his MLB debut tonight for the Rockies, note that the Nationals (2005-present) are 4-4 all-time when opposed by a starting pitcher making an MLB debut. Washington last faced a starter making an MLB debut one week ago today, on June 20, as Stephen Strasburg pitched the Nationals to a 3-2 home win over Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SKIP
One year ago today at Angel Stadium, Davey Johnson assumed the helm of the Nationals by managing his first big league game in over a decade. The Nationals dropped Davey’s first game (L 3-4 in 10 innings), but he had led the Nationals to an 82-73 (.529) record overall (42-37 at Nationals Park, 40-36 on the road) while using 55 players/26 pitchers.
