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Phillies vs. Nationals series preview: Gaining ground in the National League East

By Matthew C

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 22 : Starting pitcher Tanner Roark #57 of the Washington Nationals throws to a Philadelphia Phillies batter in the first inning at Nationals Park on June 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 22 : Starting pitcher Tanner Roark #57 of the Washington Nationals throws to a Philadelphia Phillies batter in the first inning at Nationals Park on June 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 25: Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Washington Nationals throws in the second inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 25, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 25: Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Washington Nationals throws in the second inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 25, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

Game 4: Gonzalez vs Arrieta

Both teams look to open out the month of July with a victory, but the two starters will make that difficult.

Gio Gonzalez (WSH): Veteran Gio Gonzalez is in his eleven big league season, his seventh with the Nationals. Gonzalez is entering the series finale with a winning record of 6-5 and 82 strikeouts. His 1682 strikeouts rank sixteenth on the all-time strikeout leaderboard.

Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

Gonzalez has only faced his former club once this year, but already proved to be a difficulty. Back on his May 4 start, Gonzalez pitched five shutout innings and would be eventually charged with the win. In his last start he only lasted one inning against the Tampa Bay Rays after allowing six runs.

Jake Arrieta: Arrieta is looking to earn his sixth win of the season in the series finale against the Nationals. Coming into this start, the thirty-two-year-old is 5-6 with an ERA of 3.54 in his first season with the Phillies.

Earlier this season, Arrieta dominated the Nationals but was eventually charged with a no-decision.

In that start, Arrieta pitched six complete innings. Over those six, he only allowed one run on two hits. He’ll enter the month of July looking to rebound after a horrid month of June when he pitched with a 6.66 ERA in five appearances.

Next: Phillies: Power Ranking Players from 2008

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