The Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies will wrap up a three game series and play their final game of the first half of the 2011 season before the All-Star Break on Sunday. Colorado already has the series in the bag leading 2-0 and will try for a sweep of Washington.
The Nationals will be gunning to avoid the sweep at all costs. If the Nationals can pull out a win Sunday they might not be able to salvage the series, but they would have achieved something they haven't done since 2005: finish the first half of the season at .500. The Nats certainly are putting out on the mound the man for the job. Starter Jordan Zimmermann (5-7, 2.82 ERA) will get the ball to bring it to the Rockies. The Nationals are hoping Zimmermann will make the most of his opportunity because after the All-Star Break he will be put to a 160-inning limit due to this being his first year back from Tommy John surgery and the Nationals want to be cautious with their budding, young ace.
Right fielder Jayson Werth is a hot topic in Natstown recently as he struggles in a horrendous slump which has seen him go 6-for-36 in July and on Saturday night he hit into a game ending double play. All eyes will be on him to see if he can finally snap out of it.
Nationals Line-Up
Roger Bernadina – CF
Danny Espinosa – 2B
Ryan Zimmerman – 3B
Laynce Nix – LF
Michael Morse – 1B
Jayson Werth – RF
Wilson Ramos – C
Ian Desmond – SS
Jordan Zimmermann – P