The Washington Nationals are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game series starting Friday night. Nationals’ starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, who has been a standout since joining the team in the Juan Soto trade, is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming match-up.
This season, Gore boasts an impressive record, accumulating a 2.89 ERA and 119 strikeouts over 87.1 innings pitched in 15 starts. He has consistently exceeded six strikeouts in his outings, achieving this mark in 13 of 15 starts, including a notable performance against the Dodgers in April where he recorded seven strikeouts.
Despite the Dodgers’ reputation for limiting strikeouts, they average over eight strikeouts per game, placing them mid-league in this category. This presents a potential advantage for Gore, who has shown the ability to pitch deep into games, regularly going six innings or more.
As the Nationals take on Clayton Kershaw, also a talented pitcher who recently delivered a shutout against the Giants, the matchup is anticipated to be challenging. However, the Nationals will look to leverage Gore’s capabilities on the mound to stay competitive.
The opening odds see the Nationals at +174 and the Dodgers at -196, suggesting a tougher road for Washington in this series. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping an eye on Gore’s performance, as he continues to impress with his high strikeout potential.
This matchup not only underscores Gore’s growth as a pitcher but also highlights the potential for an exciting game where he could further solidify his role with the Nationals. As the series unfolds, there is hope that the Nationals can leverage their pitching strengths to overcome one of the league’s best teams.