Saturday, June 28, 2014, 1:05 PM on MASN, WGN

Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Washington Nationals - Gonzalez (4-4, 4.38 ERA) vs. Chicago Cubs - Beeler (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday afternoon, the Washington Nationals and Gio Gonzalez will take on the Chicago Cubs and Dallas Beeler.  Gonzalez makes his 12th start as Beeler makes his Major League debut. 

Gio Gonzalez comes into this game with a 4 – 4 record and a 4.38 ERA after winning his last outing.  In the win, Gonzalez threw 6 shutout innings and allowed just 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5. Even as he got the win, Gonzalez had to throw 114 pitches to get it and that was a season high for him.  Gonzalez still has a chance to match his results from 2013 when he went 11 – 8 with a 3.36 ERA in 32 starts.

Last season, Gonzalez missed getting the decision in his only start against the Cubs despite throwing 7 innings of shutout ball and allowing just 2 hits and a walk while striking out 6.  Overall, many of the Cubs have hit Gonzalez well but none more than Nate Schierholtz.  Schierholtz is 2 for 3 with a homer and 2 RBIs.

 Dallas Beeler makes his debut in the Majors after getting the call from Triple-A Iowa.  A 41st round pick in 2010, Beeler has made a steady climb up to Triple-A and the Cubs were apparently ready to take a look at him against big league hitters.  This season in the Minors, Beeler compiled a 5 – 3 record with a 4.03 ERA in 10 starts.  In those starts, he struck out 43 while walking 15.

Beeler will have to shake off the inevitable butterflies that accompany a Major League debut and focus on the task of getting by the Washington Nationals.           

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

Washington Nationals are 36-34-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Washington Nationals is 0.5

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 37-35-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.2

Injuries to Watch

Washington Nationals

06/11/14 C Wilson Ramos Hamstring 15-day DL (6/10)
05/16/14 CF Eury Perez Toe 60-day DL (5/15)
04/27/14 LF Bryce Harper Thumb 15-day DL (4/26)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)

Chicago Cubs

06/13/14 2B Emilio Bonifacio Ribs 15-day DL (6/13)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)
03/28/14 P Kyuji Fujikawa Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Washington

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink