New York Yankees vs Washington Nationals Series Preview/Predictions

2 of 3

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 09: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on May 9, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Game One Matchup and Prediction

So far this season, I have done one series preview and I am 4-for-4 on predictions. Ahead of each series preview I do for the remainder of the season, I will continue to give an update on my record. That series preview was ahead of the Yankees-Astros series a few weeks ago.

Now back to the upcoming series between the Yankees and Nationals. In game one, the pitchers taking the bump will be Masahiro Tanaka for the Yankees and Gio Gonzalez for the Nationals.

Pitching Matchup:

Masahiro Tanaka: 4-2, 4.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 46.1 IP, 41 H, 45 K, 10 BB, 8 HR

Gio Gonzalez: 4-2, 2.22 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 44.2 IP, 41 H, 50 K, 19 BB, 1 HR

More from New York Yankees

This pitching matchup is very intriguing considering how similar their stat lines are. The same number of wins and losses as well as hits. This only makes for an even better game in the nation’s capital.

Tanaka’s last game was last week against the Red Sox when he went 5.1 innings before handing it over to the bullpen. Tanaka let up eight hits, four earned runs, and two home runs in a 9-6 win that reliever Jonathan Holder got the credit for. The Yankees have won the last four games in which Tanaka has appeared which is a good sign.

Gonzalez’s last outing was last week against the Padres when he went six innings in a 2-1 loss in San Diego. Gonzalez allowed only five hits and one earned run in the loss. The Nats are 2-2 in the last four games Gonzalez has appeared in.

Prediction: Yankees 4 Nationals 2

In a rather low scoring game, the Yankees edge the Nationals late in game one. Tanaka goes into the seventh before handing it over to David Robertson and the bullpen.

Despite a strong showing from Bryce Harper and the Nationals, Gio Gonzalez’s six innings are not enough to take out the red-hot Yankees.

Home/New York Yankees