Thursday, April 3, 1:10 PM on MASN, SNY

Citi Field, Flushing, New York

Washington - J. Zimmermann (0-0) vs. New York - Z. Wheeler (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon the Washington Nationals will send Jordan Zimmerman to face Zach Wheeler. The veteran Zimmerman and the young Wheeler will be making their first starts of the season. Zimmerman has become known for giving the Nationals a lot of innings. Last year, he gave Washington over 213 innings of work in his 32 starts en route to a 19 – 9 record. Last year’s ERA of 3.25 was higher than 2012 and for the third straight year, he saw his numbers in runs, earned runs and home runs go up. Strikeouts per nine innings were down to 6.79 compared to 7.04 in 2012.

Zimmerman started 5 games against the Mets in 2013 and compiled a 1 – 3 record with a 3.62 ERA. He surrendered 4 home runs to the Mets; the most of any team he faced last season. The Mets' Daniel Murphy has faced Zimmerman the most and is hitting .316 with 7 RBIs and 3 home runs against him.

Zach Wheeler is going into just his 2nd major league season with the Mets. Last year, he started 17 games and came away with a 7 – 5 record and an ERA of 3.42. He pitched an even 100 innings last season with a less than stellar strikeout to walk ratio of 1.83. A young pitcher, Wheeler has a lot of room for improvement but he has time on his side.

Wheeler started three games against the Nationals last season with a 1 – 2 record. The numbers for those games were not great with Wheeler surrendering 19 hits, 8 runs (all earned) and 3 home runs in 18 1/3 innings. Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth had two of those homers and will demand more attention from Wheeler this season.

Washington Trends

Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against NY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY

New York Trends

NY is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY's last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
NY is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington

Injuries to Watch

Washington 

04/02/14 C Wilson Ramos Hand is downgraded to expected to miss 4-8 weeks
04/01/14 LF Bryce Harper Head probable
03/30/14 P Doug Fister Back 15-day DL (3/23)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)

New York 

04/01/14 P Bobby Parnell Elbow out indefinitely
04/01/14 2B Daniel Murphy Personal out indefinitely
03/31/14 CF Chris Young Quad questionable
03/31/14 P Jon Niese Elbow 15-day DL (3/21), expected to be activated & start Sunday vs. Cincinnati Reds
03/28/14 P Matt Harvey Elbow 60-day DL (3/30), out for season

Guy's Pick: Take Washington

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