The Washington Nationals seem almost unstoppable these days. Winners of 12 of their last 13 games the Nats have been streaking through interleague competition and are shocking the baseball world almost on a daily basis now. Nothing seems to shake the team from a smart gritty style of play that was almost unthinkable they'd be doing when the season started. How long can it last? The Nationals hope it is here to stay and hope it will help them claim another interleague series against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon.
Nationals lefty Tom Gorzelanny (2-5, 4.53 ERA) will oppose Chicago's John Danks (3-8, 4.29 ERA) on the mound. Gorzelanny grew up in the Southside of Chicago a White Sox fan so Saturday will no doubt be a Twilight Zone-type of experience for him. The southpaw however cannot go into the game shook up or in envy of his childhood team because he needs to rebound from his last start where he gave up a run every inning he pitched, four runs in 4 2/3 innings. It was his first game back from being on the disabled list. Gorzelanny is the Nationals weakest link in the rotation and he needs to prove himself Saturday at U.S. Cellular Field.
Jerry Hairston Jr. will be taking over duties at third base on Saturday, but Ryan Zimmerman will be the DH.
Saturday and Sunday's games will most likely be the last games that interim manager John McLaren manages Washington. On Monday incoming manager Davey Johnson is expected to take the reigns against the Los Angeles Angels.
First pitch is at 4:10 ET.
Nationals Line-Up
1. Jayson Werth, RF
2. Ian Desmond, SS
3. Ryan Zimmerman, DH
4. Michael Morse, 1B
5. Danny Espinosa, 2B
6. Jerry Hairston, 3B
7. Ivan Rodriguez, C
8. Brian Bixler, LF
9. Roger Bernadina, CF
-- Tom Gorzelanny, SP