Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants: Predicting the Final Score of NLDS Game 4
Kelley L. Cox — USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals were able to escape Game 3 of the National League Division Series with a convincing 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, which cut the Giants’ lead in the best-of-five series to 2-1.
To try and solve the Giants’ bats and force a Game 5, the Nationals will turn to Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez has not faced the Giants yet this season, so there is no record on how the ace pitcher will fare against this year’s San Francisco squad.
If last year is any indication, San Francisco could be in trouble.
Gonzalez posted a minuscule 0.79 earned run average against the Giants a year ago, aided by seven strikeouts in 11 innings and San Francisco’s .195 batting average against him. Granted, this was last year, so there is no guarantee San Francisco will stick to this script, but it gives the Nationals a road map to try and follow.
San Francisco puts Ryan Vogelsong up against the Nationals. This is the weaker part of the Giants’ pitching staff, as Vogelsong went 8-13 this season. He did strike out 151 batters and walked only 58, so all is not lost.
Or is it?
With an 0-4 mark and 5.53 ERA in the final month of the regular season, September wasn’t very kind to Vogelsong. He did see the Nationals once this year, and Washington teed off on Vogelsong to the tune of nine earned runs in 11 innings.
Always remember regular-season pitching is no guarantee of a player’s success, but based on these metrics alone, Washington has a solid chance to force a Game 5. The Nationals should tee off early on Vogelsong and move the series back to D.C.
Projected final: Washington 6, San Francisco 1
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