Milwaukee @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2012 ) Milwaukee 4, Washington 2
Gio Gonzalez will make his second attempt to record his major league-best 20th victory of the season on Saturday as the Washington Nationals look to rebound against the Milwaukee Brewers. Edwin Jackson saw eight masterful innings go up in smoke as Milwaukee scratched for three runs in the ninth off closer Tyler Clippard in Friday's 4-2 triumph. The Brewers, who have won a season-high six in a row and 24 of 30, sit 1 1/2 games behind St. Louis in the race for the National League's second wild card.
Although Washington has already clinched a postseason slot, it saw a great opportunity go by the boards to extend its advantage in the National League East. If the Nationals plan to increase their 5 1/2-game lead over Atlanta, they'll need to slow down Ryan Braun. The reigning NL MVP is 13-for-32 in his last eight games to fuel the red-hot Brewers. He is 0-for-3 in his career versus Gonzalez, however.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FWSI (Milwaukee), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (2-0, 2.14 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (19-8, 2.95)
Peralta authored his best performance in his last start, scattering two hits over eight sizzling innings in a 3-0 triumph over the Mets on Sunday. The 23-year-old Dominican rookie has yielded just four total runs and 14 hits in 20 innings during his three career starts. Peralta has yet to allow a homer in his career.
Gonzalez saw his three-game winning streak come to an end after issuing four walks in five innings en route to a 5-1 setback to Atlanta on Sunday. The 27-year-old struggled in his lone career appearance versus the Brewers, permitting five runs and as many walks over six innings in a no-decision on July 29.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee OF Norichika Aoki is riding an 11-game hitting streak, but is hitless in two career at-bats versus Gonzalez.
2. Washington's Adam LaRoche, who belted his 31st homer on Friday, relishes playing against Milwaukee. The slugger has gone deep four times during an 11-game hitting streak versus the Brewers.
3. The Nationals have secured a postseason berth, but they have won just two of their last seven outings.