The Washington Nationals (23-21) and San Francisco Giants (24-20) are two teams expected to run roughshod over their competition this year and coast to divisional titles, but various factors have contributed to some struggles. Tonight at 10:15, they begin a three game series in which both sides will look to heal their ills. The game an be live streamed for free here, or at MLB.com with a subscription. Nationals fans can tune in to 106.7 The Fan to hear the action while Giants fans can turn their dials to KNBR 680.
The Giants' rotation has been at fault in San Francisco's losing five out of their last six games, posting a collective ERA of 9.82. Tonight's starter, Ryan Vogelsong (1-4, 8.06 ERA) has been gruesome lately, going less than five innings in each of his last three starts. He has not given up less than three runs in any start this season, and has surrendered five or more runs in half of his eight starts.
As a whole, the entire staff minus Madison Bumgarner has underwhelmed; the most surprising poor start to the season has been Matt Cain's. Cain has been a rock in the San Fran rotation, posting sub-3.00 ERAs in three of the past five seasons. In 2013, however, his ERA is at 5.43, and his home run to fly ball ratio has sky rocked more than 10 percentage points.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy is preaching patience to frustrated Giants fans, saying, "It's a temporary thing. You don't have the success we've had and not be good, these pitchers. It's a great starting rotation. They've done some remarkable things for us, but at the same time it's a new year and we've got to make some adjustments."
As for Vogelsong, Bochy said, "He's fighting, I'll say that," Bochy said. "I know he's taking it hard. He'll get on track."
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