Tonight, it is Stephen Strasburg back on the mound as he is activated off of the disable list. Strangely, Strasburg threw an abbreviated bullpen session yesterday which you normally do not do the day before you are supposed to start. We might find out later why Strasburg and Mike Maddux decided to throw that bullpen session. All eyes will be back on Stephen Strasburg today, and we will see how many innings Strasburg will be allowed to throw as he will be on a pitch count limit.
As we discussed many times lately, Wilson Ramos has been in a slump which could possibly be tied back to his workload of playing day games after night games and both games of doubleheaders, etc. On August 7th, Ramos hit the home run that beat Bumgarner 1-0, and Ramos was batting .338 with a .943 OPS. Since then, .306 BA and an .849 OPS. That is almost a 100 point drop in OPS. At some point, Ramos needs to sit for several games and get his legs back under him.
Another game note has Stephen Drew activated todayand he is still dealing with a few issues with his illness. With Strasburg and Drew’s activations that brings the Nationals to 37 players and a roster move will be needed to activate Joe Ross off the 40 man roster. We reported this morning on Twitter that Ross will make a rehab appearance on Saturday. Right now it is Chris Bostick and Spencer Kieboom looking like the only 40-man players who won’t get the call up. Sammy Solis is still on the mend also.
Tonight the Braves are pitching right-hander Mike Foltynewicz who the Nationals are quite familiar with.
Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN, FOX Southeast, MLB.TV
Line-ups (subject to change without notice):
- Trea Turner CF
- Jayson Werth LF
- Daniel Murphy 2B
- Bryce Harper RF
- Wilson Ramos C
- Ryan Zimmerman 1B
- Danny Espinosa SS
- Wilmer Difo 3B
- Stephen Strasburg RHP
