Tall task? Nationals aim for back-to-back home wins vs. Giants
washington nationals Will want a positive attitude for change when they play on Saturday night
san francisco giants trying to avoid a situation worse than what they’ve been experiencing recently
The middle contest of the three-game series in Washington, D.C., on Saturday comes a night after the teams combined for four home runs.
Washington began a six-game homestand with a 5-3 series-opening victory over San Francisco on Friday night. citizens Having won only two of their last six matches, and looking unlikely for an extended successful series
Washington manager Dave Martinez said, “It was a very, very good day.” “I like the way we played.”
But can they do it again? citizens Only won consecutive home matches once since May 20-21
San Francisco had three straight losses of four or more before the All-Star break, so it will aim to prevent that trend from developing again.
During their current three-game skid, Giants Overall only allowed six runs and 13 hits. Getting back on track will require a certain level of determination.
Manager Gabe Kapler said, “It’s true of our entire offense, really needing a grinding approach.”
Offensive threats were so few in San Francisco that there were only three runners left on base on Friday night – all in the seventh inning.
if there was a positive part to it Giants, it came with his first home run in over a month by Jock Pederson. His two-run blast doubled his RBI total for July.
“Just trying to nail some things down,” Pederson said. “It’s a constant game of putting the pieces together to make the swing work. I’m far from figuring it out. I’m glad the work shifted to the game (Friday) and will come back tomorrow and continue doing the same thing. It’s a constant battle.”
Lane Thomas joins CJ Abrams in Going Deeper on Friday citizens, Five of Thomas’ 16 total home runs have been first-inning homers.
“I don’t know if there’s a big difference,” Thomas said.
Giants Right-hander Logan Webb (8-7, 3.11 ERA) has been drafted as their starting pitcher for Saturday’s game. Webb made three July starts and pitched to a 1.59 ERA in those games despite only one win. Still, San Francisco has won six of its last eight starts.
Webb allowed one run in seven innings in the 4–1 victory. citizens On 9 May. He is 3–0 with a 2.78 ERA in four all-time starts when facing Washington.
Right-hander Josiah Gray (6-8, 3.59) is set to be Washington’s starter on Saturday. Although he pitched well during his one inning in the All-Star Game, Gray has had an unimpressive July in his other two appearances this month. He allowed nine runs (seven earned) on 18 hits in 10 innings in combined losses against the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. Louis Cardinals.
Gray earned the win over San Francisco on May 10 after allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings.
Since then he has reached the seven innings mark only twice. Still, in three career meetings (two starts) vs. GiantsGray is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA.
–Field Level Media