“Pitching Dominates as Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics Prepare for Three-Game Series”

The Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics are set to face off in a three-game series starting Friday night in Oakland. Both teams have been riding high on their pitching performances, but the key to victory might lie in their ability to break through with their bats.

The Athletics are coming off a successful road trip, winning four of their last five games, including a 1-0 victory against the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Despite only mustering four hits in the game, the Athletics’ pitching staff was dominant, allowing just one hit in the entire game. JP Sears took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, showcasing the team’s pitching depth.

On the other hand, the Nationals had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 7-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants before having a day off on Thursday. Washington’s pitching staff has been solid over the past week, posting a 3-3 record with a 3.57 ERA.

Both managers, Mark Kotsay of the Athletics and Dave Martinez of the Nationals, have praised their pitching staff but acknowledged the need for improvement in other areas. Kotsay highlighted the maturation of his young starters, while Martinez emphasized the importance of avoiding big innings.

In terms of the upcoming matchup, right-hander Jake Irvin will take the mound for the Nationals, while Paul Blackburn will get the start for the Athletics. Blackburn has been impressive so far this season, maintaining a perfect 0.00 ERA over his first two starts.

As the two teams prepare to face off, the spotlight will be on their pitching staffs and their ability to shut down the opposing lineups. With both teams looking to gain an edge in the series, it will be interesting to see which team can come out on top with their offensive firepower. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting series between the Nationals and Athletics.