Pre-Gamer 8/13: Giants vs. Nationals

It’s the San Francisco Giants vs. the Washington Nationals, leftie versus leftie, and two sub-.500 teams. Both are in the bottom 5 teams in runs scored this season. The Nats have scored 442 runs. The Giants have scored 438. They are both in the top 10 for fielding errors this season. Giants have 83. Nats have 78. We’re in store for some good baseball folks. And by “good,” I mean we’re all likely to get some good sleep in. I’m betting on a 2-1 ballgame, and that might be just a bit overestimating the runs scored.

Aug 7, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning at AT

It’s not just because both teams are, well, bad. It’s also because it’s a pitching match between Madison Bumgarner (11-7, 2.75 ERA) and Gio Gonzalez (7-5, 3.52 ERA). Aside from a July 31st game where Gonzales gave up 10 earned runs to Detroit, he hasn’t give up more than 3 runs in his last 10 outings. Bumgarner also hasn’t given up more than 3 runs in his last 10 outings, and he only did that in his last start.

Pitching duel, indeed. Of course, that means both teams will likely score 10+ runs a piece now.

Oh, by the way, the baseball gods may be smiling on us Giants fans tonight. Bryce Harper is out of the lineup tonight for the Nats with the flu. I hope he gets better…in about 3 days from now.

Marco Scutaro was also replaced in the Giants lineup. He’s out with a stiff back.

Lineups: