Gio Gonzalez (3-5, 3.93 ERA) and John Lackey (7-2, 2.63 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Washington Nationals (40-24) and the Chicago Cubs (43-19) at Nationals Park. The Nationals won the last game 4-1, and Washington leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 14 and can be seen on WLS and MASN.
Gonzalez pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out 10 and walking two in a 3-1 defeat to the White Sox. Daniel Murphy (.367, 38 Rs, 11 HRs, 42 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Lackey went 7.0 innings, surrendering zero runs and striking out eight in an 8-1 win over the Phillies in his last outing. Anthony Rizzo (.265, 38 Rs, 14 HRs, 47 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
Notes
Washington has won 68% (17-8) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Chicago has won 81% (22-5) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Cubs are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Nationals have an 18-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Nationals are 33-6. The Cubs have a 35-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking ninth, Washington is in the top 10 of the league in runs, scoring 296 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at third with 336.
Ranking 10th, Washington is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.757). Chicago ranks in the top five with an OPS of .774.
The Cubs are 18-14 when they allow at least one home run. The Nationals perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 25-20 record.
