Jordan Zimmermann aims for sweep in primetime (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

July 05, 2015, 12:30pm

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A red-hot Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound as the Nationals attempt to sweep the world champion Giants tonight. Zimmermann held the Braves scoreless over 15 2/3 innings in his past two starts, claiming a win and a no-decision. Zimmermann's command has been superb, walking just one while striking out 17 in his previous three outings.

Right-hander Ryan Vogelsong brings a 6-6 record with a 4.19 ERA to the hill for San Francisco tonight. Vogelsong has been much better recently than his season stats indicate, though. In his last three starts, the 37-year-old is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA, with opponents hitting just .214 off him.

After experiencing some success last weekend, Ian Desmond has slipped back into another slump. Over his last four games, Desmond is 0-for-14 with eight strikeouts. However, Desmond has hit Vogelsong well in the past. The 29-year-old is 5-for-12 (.417) with a homer, a triple, a double and six RBIs against the Giants starter.

The Nationals pitching staff has not issued more than two walks in each of their last 17 games. That's the longest such streak for any team in the Live Ball Era (since 1920), according to Elias.

For the Giants:
Angel Pagan CF
Joe Panik 2B
Brandon Belt LF
Buster Posey 1B
Brandon Crawford SS
Gregor Blanco RF
Andrew Susac C
Ehire Adrianza 3B
Ryan Vogelsong RHP

For the Nationals:
CF Denard Span
3B Yunel Escobar
RF Bryce Harper
1B Clint Robinson
C Wilson Ramos
2B Danny Espinosa
SS Ian Desmond
LF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Jordan Zimmermann