The Nationals are still alive thanks to Doug Fister's great outing, Bryce Harper's all-around contribution, and Madison Bumgarner's error on Monday. On Tuesday night the Giants will host the Nats in Game 4 of the NLDS at AT&T Park, which will feature lefty Gio Gonzalez versus righty Ryan Vogelsong.
Washington fell behind 0-2 after losing the series' first two games at home. The problem with the Nationals has been their hitting and their bullpen. In the first two games, which totaled 27 innings, Washington only scored three runs and totaled 15 hits and eight walks. They lost each game by one run and that is directly attributed to their putrid team playoff average of .172 and on-base percentage of .226. The team finished the season 19-8 in September with 109 runs scored (10th in MLB), 26 home runs (8th), and a .258 batting average (11th), so their struggles aren't very fitting.
Additionally, in each of the first two games, the bullpen blew a save and surrendered a total of nine hits, four walks and two earned runs. Washington's starters have been nearly flawless, as the combination of Stephen Strasburg, Jordran Zimmermann and Doug Fister have combined for 20 2/3 innings pitched with an ERA of 0.87. The Nationals are still very much in this series because the Giants have also had tremendous struggles with their hitting, which is something that hasn't been largely discussed since they managed to win the first two games of the NLDS on the road.
San Francisco, who has only scored six runs in the series, will send Ryan Vogelsong (8-13 with a 4.00 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday night. The right-hander faced the Nationals twice during the regular season and the team lost both games he started (11 1/3 IP, 13 H, 9 ER, 6 BB). Game 4 could be a high-scoring affair because San Francisco has had success against lefties this season, which could give Gio Gonzalez a hard time. In 2014, the Giants scored 200 runs (t-6th in MLB) to go along with 465 hits (2nd), 40 home runs (11th) and a .258 average (11th) against left-handed pitchers.
Gonzalez (10-10 with a 3.57 ERA) last faced the Giants in 2013. In two starts, the left-hander is 0-0 with a 0.79 ERA. But he'll be making just his third career postseason start tonight, while Vogelsong is making his fifth. Gonzalez is 0-0 in the postseason with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against the St. Louis Cardinals and Vogelsong is 3-0 in four starts with a 1.09 ERA in starts against the Reds, Cardinals and Tigers. But both of their postseason appearances occurred back in 2012, so it's been a while since they've been immersed in a high-pressure environment.
Fox Sports 1 will broadcast the game tonight at 9:07 p.m. following Game 4 of the NLDS matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals.
