The Washington Nationals (36-74, 45-63 RL, 51-51-5 O/U) meet with the Chicago Cubs (43-64, 54-53 RL, 45-55-7 O/U) in the second of a three-game series on Tuesday evening. The Nationals send Paolo Espino to the hill. The Cubs give the nod to Marcus Stroman, targeting his fourth win of the year.
The Nationals will have Paolo Espino on the hill for the 31st time of the season. Espino had trouble in his latest effort, conceding five runs including two home runs in four innings against the Phillies, and was hit with the loss to plummet to 0-4. The veteran right-hander has struggled in two straight outings and his ERA has dipped to 4.20 along with a 1.27 WHIP in 70.2 innings of work on the year. Espino has squandered five runs (four earned) in 10.1 career innings against the Cubs.
The Nationals resume a seven-game road trek. They were dealt an ugly sweep in Philly this weekend as the pitching continues to be exploited in most games. They have lost five straight road games entering Monday and now stand at 3-7 in their last ten road clashes.
Luis Garcia continues to dazzle at the plate, sporting a .360 average and six RBIs so far this month. The 22-year-old shortstop could develop into an elite hitter. Garcia has 25 RBIs and a .720 OPS in only 57 games played on the season. He went 2 for 11 with one RBI against the Cubs last season.
The Nationals are posting an average of 3.80 runs per game, ranking them 27th overall. The pitching staff is carrying a 5.32 team ERA, pegging them last.