Where: Nationals Park
When: 11:05 EST
The Starters: Bumgarner (10-4, 2.85) vs. Jackson (4-4, 3.57)
The Line: Giants -120, Nats 100, O/U 7.5 Runs, Giants -1.5
Starters – Edwin Jackson will take the mound for the Nationals in the Nation’s Capital on Indepence Day today. Jackson was on a nice hot streak before his last start when he gave up 8 earned runs in just 3 innings against the Rockies. Granted the game was at Coors Field, it reminded us that although EJ has been better he is still capable of a terrible game on occasion. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back from his first disaster start of 2012. The Giants will counter with 22 year old lefty Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner was very good for the Giants last year (3.21 era) but seems to have taken the next step to become one of baseball’s best pitchers this season. He is a really incredible talent with great stuff and phenominal control, I see Cy Youngs in his future. In his last start Bumgarner threw a 1 hitter against the Reds, so the Nats bats will have their work cut out for them. Advantage Giants
Lineups – The Nationals lineup is in the midst of it’s most impressive stretch of the season by far. They were able to carry over their Coors Field success (35 runs in 4 games) into Atlanta, scoring 18 runs in a 3 game set against the Braves. The overall numbers on the season are still pretty underwhelming (no NL top 5s in any major statistic) but with the addition of Tyler Moore and resurgence of Zimmerman and Morse this offense looks to be on the rise. The Giants offense is very similar to the Nats in terms of production at this point in the season, in fact their total runs scored are almost exactly the same (Giants 317, Nats 316). The difference is in the way that each team has gotten their runs with the Nats using power and the Giants using speed/small ball. San Francisco does a good job of getting on base and once they’re on they run well. Advantage Nationals (slightly)
Bullpens – The Washington bullpen has been among the best groups in the NL for the majority of the season, and currently rank 3rd with a 3.07 era. They are just a really well assembled group, with guys who can get lefties out, guys who can get righties out, and guys keep runners from advancing with strikeouts. On top of that Tyler Clippard has been the best reliever in baseball since getting moved to the closer role. The Giants bullpen has done a really solid job this season despite the loss of All-Star closer Brian Wilson as they rank 5th in the NL with a 3.44 era. Replacement closer Stantiago Casilla has done a admirable job filling in, converting 21 of his 24 save chances with an era under 3. Their best pitcher Sergio Romo has been nearly unhittable this year with a microscopic 0.79 era. Advantage Nationals
Game Summary – Bumgarner cools off the Nats red hot offense and the Giant hitters back him with a productive night.
Prediction: Giants 5, Nationals 3
Key Players (Stat Prediction): Jackson (6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 4 K, 2 BB), Zimmerman (2-4, HR, 2 RBI), Bumgarner (7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 9 K, 2 BB), Sandoval (2-4, HR, 2 RBI)
Jesse’s Picks W/L: 46 – 32