The Washington Nationals saw their 10-game win streak come to an end on Friday with a home loss. The team was sporting a 1.82 ERA during that stretch before starter Doug Fister was hit hard by the San Francisco Giants. However the Nationals have a good chance of getting back on track as they face the struggling Tim Lincecum who is searching his 100th career win.
Lincecum is struggling, especially against the Nationals where he posts the highest ERA than against any other National League team. The right-hander is 0-5 with a 9.00 ERA in six starts against Washington. Ian Desmond is hitting .247 against the pitcher while going 10 for 14. Lincecum has the chance to become the fifth pitcher in franchise history to get to 100 games.
It will be a struggle for Lincecum to get the win against the Nationals. He has not pitched past the fifth innings in three of his last five starts while going 1-2 during that stretch. In his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies he pitched five innings while giving up two earned runs.
He will be going up against Jordan Zimmermann who is on a role right now. He has a 8-5 record on the season and a 2.97 ERA while going 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in his last four starts. Against the Diamondbacks on Monday the pitcher gave up just three runs in seven innings. Against the Giants, Zimmermann is evev better with a 4-1 record and a 1.99 ERA in five starts.
Zimmermann will be tested as the Giants look to win their fourth straight game since a five-game win streak back in June. Hunter Pence right now is going 6 for 16 right now. Rookie Joe Panik is in the middle of a four game hit streak while getting his first home run against the Nationals on Friday. The Giants are fighting for the second wild car spot in the National League as they sit behind the Dodgers in the West.
