Dodgers Vs. Nationals Preview: NL’s Best Face Off In LA

[new_royalslider id=”274″] After losing two out of three games to the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers open up a three-game set at home against the Washington Nationals. The two teams come into the series in first place in their respective divisions and with the two best records in the National League.

Roberto Hernandez starts on the mound for the Dodgers, which may be an advantage given his history against Washington. Hernandez is 8-9 with a 3.81 ERA this season. However, the right-hander has been impressive against the Nationals this season going 2-0 and pitching 15.1 innings of scoreless baseball. The nine-year veteran is 3-1 with a 1.19 ERA over four career starts against the Nationals.

Gio Gonzalez starts opposite Hernandez in the Labor Day matchup. Gonzalez’s numbers are down this season, as the left-hander is 6-9 with a 3.86 ERA. Gonzalez is 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers. The two-time All-Star has yet to face Los Angeles this season.

As for Los Angeles offensively, Juan Uribe is the only current Dodger with a home run off Gonzalez and Uribe has a lifetime average of .273 against the lefty. The only other Dodger player who is hitting over .200 against Gonzalez is Hanley Ramirez (.222).

The struggling Yaisel Puig is batting in the sixth spot in Monday’s lineup. He has yet to get a hit off Gonzalez in three career plate appearances. Tonight’s Dodger lineup is a combined 7-for-38 with three RBIs against Gonzalez.

The Dodgers have additional options off the bench as they added Alex Guerrero and Joc Pederson, among others, to the active rosters that expanded.
Dodgers Lineup

2B: Gordon

SS: Ramirez

1B: Gonzalez

RF: Kemp

LF: Van Slyke

CF: Puig

3B: Uribe

C: Ellis

P: Hernandez

Nationals Lineup

CF: Span

3B: Rendon

RF: Werth

1B: LaRoche

SS: Desmond

LF: Harper

C: Ramos

2B: Cabrera

P: Gonzalez
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