The Washington Nationals were excited to get pitcher Chien-Ming Wang (0-2, 6.00 ERA) into the rotation. They believed they might get some semblance of the 19-game winner the Wang once was back in 2006 and 2007. What they got was, well, not exactly close. Wang will get his third start in Nationals uniform on Monday night against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The tall, Taiwanese pitcher's last outing was a five inning affair against the Atlanta Braves where he gave up six runs (two runs) on seven hits. Wang's sinker seems to be returning to him, but his off speed stuff has been betraying him. He has never been heavy on the strikeouts and relies on ground outs, fly outs and a strong defense behind him. He will be facing Chicago's Matt Garza (5-8, 3.78 ERA).
Offensively the Nationals aren't pulling out many surprises Monday. Center fielder Rick Ankiel continues to man the lead off position and is hitting .357 in August so far. Outfielder Jonny Gomes starts in his second consecutive game a night after he hit his first home run as a National.
Nationals
1. Rick Ankiel, CF
2. Danny Espinosa, 2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Michael Morse, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Jonny Gomes, LF
7. Ian Desmond, SS
8. Wilson Ramos, C
9. Chien-Ming Wang, SP
Cubs
1. Starlin Castro, SS
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Marlon Byrd, CF
6. Alfonso Soriano, LF
7. Tyler Colvin, RF
8. Geovany Soto, C
9. Matt Garza, SP