The Washington Nationals are c lose to clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if they can get a win over the New York Mets. The Nationals could have clinched Wednesday, but rain forced a double-header on Thursday causing a jump around in the pitching rotation. The one thing the Nationals do not need as they got for their sixth straight win is injuries, but that is suddenly not working in their favor.
Both Ryan Zimmerman and Denard Span are ailing with just a handful of games left to play. Zimmerman worked his way back from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss 55 games, but he is still being limited due to lingering soreness. Span was lost on Tuesday after diving for a ball in the third innings. That certainly hurts the offense as Span was hitting a team-high .3000 with 31 stolen bases on the year. He is expected to be held out of the doubleheader.
The Nationals will send Blake Treinen to the mound who is 2-3 with a 1.91 ERA. He got the loss in his last start to the Atlanta Braves. He has gave up three hits and runs in five innings. The rookie was called up in Septmeber and is 1-0 while tossing eight scoreless innings in three outings, one as a starter and two as a reliever, giving Washington hope in his potential. Gio Gonzalez will take the ball for the night game. He got the win in his last start after being 0-5 with a 5.20 ERA in his last seven starts. He is 6-4 with a 3.44 ERA in 12 starts against the Mets but has struggled this season going 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA in four games.
New York will send up Dillon Gee in the afternoon who is 7-8 with a 3.88 ERA on the year. He is 3-7 with a 4.95 ERA in his last 12 starts. In three games against the Mets this season, he is 1-1 with a 5.50 ERA.
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