The Washington Nationals haven't been too kind to baseball teams from Chicago in 2011. In June the Nationals took a trip to the Windy City and took a three game series from the Chicago White Sox of the American League. On Thursday night the Nationals are looking to complete a four game sweep of the National League Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park.
The Cubs are in complete disarray, losing the last three games to Washington by one run and supposedly getting into a clubhouse brawl with each other prior to Tuesday night's game. They are ripe for a complete sweep and starter Matt Garza (4-7, 3.77 ERA) is going to do his best to make sure that doesn't happen. However, the Cubs are facing Davey Johnson's scrappy Nats on their home turf and the Nats have developed an uncanny knack at winning games lately.
Washington turns to their "old reliable" in pitcher Livan Hernandez (5-8, 3.73 ERA) to lock down the Chicago offense which has shown pop, but not enough to overcome the surging Nationals. Nationals power hitter Laynce Nix will be out of the line-up with a soreness in his right foot and Achilles’, but says while he can't move well he can go if needed. Ivan Rodriguez will also be out of the line-up, a late scratch, as Rodriguez is dealing with back pains. Catcher Wilson Ramos will take his place behind the plate.
The Nationals take on the Cubs at 7:05 P.M. EST.
Nationals Line-Up
1. Roger Bernadina, LF
2. Danny Espinosa, 2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Michael Morse, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Rick Ankiel, CF
7. Ivan Rodriguez Wilson Ramos, C
8. Ian Desmond, SS
9. Livan Hernandez, SP