Giants VS Nationals: Previewing the Pitching Match Ups

Game 1: Ryan Vogelsong VS Gio Gonzalez

Game one of this three game set--- the old VS. the powerful. Tonight’s game will feature two pitchers that are completely the opposite of each other in terms of stats and overall approach. Vogelsong is the definition of a contact pitcher. He’s a master at using his fastball to get batters to pop out and ground out weakly. In fact, he throws his fastball nearly 60% of the time. Due to his approach, he has totaled a 6.61 K/9 rate this season.

 Gonzalez also uses his overpowering fastball more than most pitchers (70%). Yet, he fits the bill of a strikeout pitcher, unlike his counterpart in Vogelsong. The southpaw’s fastball has a lot of pop to it ( average of 93 MPH), and it’s generating a ton of swings and misses this season, represented by his 9.83 K/9. That stunning 9.83 strikeout rate ranks just second in the N.L to his fellow teammate Stephen Strasburg who has a 11.21 K/9 rate.

In spite of the differ in approaches, both Vogelsong and Gonzalez have found success this season. Vogelsong leads the N.L in ERA (2.27), while Gonzalez has stabilized the Nats’ starting rotation after coming over from the A’s during the offseason. Yes, his 3.32 ERA is a bit high to be considered elite, but his FIP checks in at 2.70, meaning that his defense has occasionally let him down with errors.  The lefty’s 14 wins though, rank third in the league and tonight he will have a chance to pull even with R.A. Dickey and Johnny Cueto who both have 15 wins.

Vogelsong has yet to face the Nationals this season. Same goes for Gonzalez, who the Giants missed when they played them in Washington earlier this season.

Game 2: Madison Bumgarner VS Jordan Zimmerman

Game two could be labeled as a battle of the unknown. Both Bumgarner and Zimmerman are in the midst of career years, but have yet to receive the spotlight that their fellow rotation mates get from the media. In Bumgarner’s case it’s Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum. In Zimmerman’s, it’s Stephen Strasburg.

Zimmerman is second in the National League in the ERA department (2.35). More impressively, he will be coming off of a masterpiece type performance. OK, this so called masterpiece came against the Houston Astros. Nevertheless, he fanned 11 batters en route to his first double digit strikeout performance of the year. Has he ever struck out double digit batters before Sunday? Yes, three times. Then again, he doesn’t bare much of a chance to record high strikeout numbers. Why? He has yet to pitch more than seven innings this season. Talk about protective of their (Nationals) arms. Let’s not forget about Stephan Strasburg’s little limit, either.

 Zimmerman is a lot like Vogelsong is sense. Two key components to consider--- he isn’t overpowering (6.81 K/9 Rate), and heavily utilizes his fastball (61%). The difference between Zimmerman and Vogelsong is marginal. Vogelsong’s fastball command is slightly superior than Zimmerman’s, but that’s a necessity given his slower fastball. But Zimmerman’s hard fastball (94 MPH) makes up for the few location mistakes he salvages. Vogelsong who generally sits around 90-92 MPH, needs to have pin-point command to remain effective.

Bumgarner is a tad different. At the beginning of the season, he pitched more to contact. The same can’t be said nowadays as his 8.38 K/9 rate hangs with the elite flamethrowers. He has struck out at least seven batters in five straight starts as well.

The Nationals will have their hands full with Bumgarner. Not just because of the recent jump in his strikeout numbers, but also because he has a stellar 1.98 home ERA.

Game 3: Tim Lincecum VS Stephen Strasburg

All eyes will be set on this Wednesday matinee duel between two aces. And yes, Tim Lincecum can still be considered an ace. Sure, his sub par numbers make this matchup look like nothing else but a mid August game, but it’s more than just that.

 Strasburg, the wonder-boy, is carving up batter after batter. He’s utilizing his 96 MPH fastball to strikeout nearly 31% of the batters he faces. As we all know very well, sheer fastball speed doesn’t cut it at this level. And Strasburg isn’t a one trick pony. While his reptiore isn’t as big as Lincecum’s, it doesn’t need to be with the way that his curveball fools hitters. It’s really a pitch that has evolved for the Nationals’ ace. In 2010 he threw it nearly 26% of the time, backed off in 2011 (14%), and here in 2012 he’s throwing it about 19% of the time. His curveball is the definition of a put away pitch. Opposing batters are hitting just .200 off of it, and lately, that number has been trending down. Quite simply, he’s dominant.

Lincecum, meanwhile, isn’t what you would call dominant. At least not this season. Of late, maybe. In six games since the All-Star break, Lincecum has totaled a much improved 2.72 ERA. His strikeout numbers have been down of late, but it’s clearly not effecting his ERA. However, his lousy performance ( 3.1 IP, 7 ER) against the Nationals in early July is well documented. It’s not something that just disappears. Luckliy, Lincecum will have AT&T Park on his side.

 Recap:

All in all, expect some very well pitched ball games. While these two teams have statistically been the best two offense in the N.L since the All-Star break, it’s their starting rotations that make them the best in their respective divisions.

Posted in: Gio Gonzalez,Jordan Zimmerman,Madison Bumgarner,ryan vogelsong,San Francisco Giants,Stephen Strasburg,Tim Lincecum,Washington Nationals