The Washington Nationals are playing their second two-game series in a row, and like their set against the Padres earlier this week, they won the first game. They weren't able to earn the short sweep against the Padres, but they'll have the chance to get one against the Pirates on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm and you can find the game on MASN.
After Gio Gonzalez shut the Pirates down on Wednesday, the Nats will send Jordan Zimmermann to the mound to try and accomplish the same goal on Thursday. The Pirates have an offense that can only be described as anemic, so Zimmermann should be able to get it done. But the Nationals pitching staff had their issues with this lineup last week, so who knows what might happen. This is the final game before the Beltway series which now has more meaning than it maybe ever has, so you know the Nationals would like to go into it with good momentum.
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