Los Angeles @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 19, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 3, Washington 2
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals began the second half of their respective seasons in much the same manner as they concluded the first. After winning the series opener, Los Angeles will vie for its 19th victory in 24 outings on Saturday when it continues a three-game road series against reeling Washington. Andre Ethier belted a go-ahead home run to lead off the ninth inning as the Dodgers posted a 3-2 triumph Friday and handed the Nationals their sixth loss in eight contests.
While Los Angeles (48-47) moved above the .500 plateau, Washington (48-48) is teetering on the mark and fell into third place in the National League East. The Nationals may have a tough time breaking out of their funk against right-hander Zack Greinke, who scattered two hits in each of his last two scoreless trips to the mound. A winner in five straight outings, Greinke recorded his first complete game of the season and 13th of his career with a 1-0 gem against Colorado on July 13.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (8-2, 3.49 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (7-3, 3.03)
Greinke improved to 3-0 in his career versus Washington after yielding one run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 3-1 victory on May 15. The 29-year-old did not walk a batter in that contest, but has been quite liberal in doing so over his subsequent 11 starts - including a staggering seven against the Rockies on July 3. While his control has been an issue, Greinke has kept the ball in the park - permitting seven homers in 85 innings.
Gonzalez, who has allowed just six runs en route to winning his last four starts, flustered Philadelphia over seven innings en route to a 5-1 victory on July 10. The 27-year-old struggled with his control in his lone career appearance versus the Dodgers. Gonzalez issued five walks to undo an otherwise terrific effort - two runs, three hits over six innings - to take the loss.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles SS Hanley Ramirez hit safely in 14 of his last 17 games after belting a two-run homer Friday. Ramirez, however, is 0-for-6 versus Gonzalez.
2. Washington RF Jayson Werth, who went 1-for-3 with a single in the series opener, has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 contests.
3. Dodgers CF Matt Kemp hit against live pitching prior to Friday's game. Kemp, who has been sidelined with an irritated AC joint in his left shoulder, expects to return from the disabled list Sunday.
PREDICTION: Nationals 2, Dodgers 1