Today marks just fifteen games remaining in the season, and Dusty Baker is resting Wilson Ramos today as Pedro Severino gets a rare start. Danny Espinosa is back in the line-up as he returned from California mid-game last night. Danny was able to be with his wife Sara for the birth of their son Ty Espinosa who was born on Thursday. Technically, MLB allows for 3 days of paternity leave, but Danny only used one day which was the day-off on Thursday to schedule the birth with his wife Sara. Danny flew back yesterday afternoon from California to arrive near game time. Dusty Baker encouraged Danny to take his time as we saw with Ryan Zimmerman who took the full 3 days for the birth of his second daughter, and Danny had to make two long cross-country trips.
The television coverage for today’s game will make watching the game difficult for many Nats fans not centered in the Washington, DC region or Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Virginia along with a small portion of the Braves television region.
The good news is Nats fans will not be subjected to long-time Atlanta Braves’ star John Smoltz who will be doing the Yankees and Red Sox broadcast. Nats fans will have the TV crew of Justin Kutcher and Tom Verducci.
It was Verducci who wrote the scathing story about Bryce Harper on Sports Illustrated’s website last month claiming through a source that Bryce Harper had a shoulder injury which was vehemently denied by Mike Rizzo, and Bryce Harper made fun of the report in a post-game interview, but Tom Verducci never retracted his comments or amended it to include Mike Rizzo’s response. We will listen for any mention of this in today’s broadcast. Of course those who cannot tune in on the TV can listen to the radio feed from 106.7 The Fan radio for Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler.
Gio Gonzalez starts for the Nationals today, and righty Josh Collmenter starts for the Braves. Collmenter was acquired by the Braves just 3 days ago from the Cubs. Collmenter was released earlier this season by the Diamondbacks and was picked up on a Minor League deal by the Cubs.
In possibly the best news, Stephen Strasburg is throwing a baseball again and while it is just soft toss it is encouraging nonetheless.
Strasburg threw for about 5 minutes. Slowly stretched out the distance. He fist bumped the trainer so I'm assuming it went well.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) September 17, 2016
Let's try that again. Stephen Strasburg getting some light throwing in right now. pic.twitter.com/8tPLPB5tIs
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) September 17, 2016
Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves
Stadium: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
1st Pitch: 1:05 pm EDT
TV: FOX (limited area)
Line-ups (subject to change without notice):
- Trea Turner CF
- Jayson Werth LF
- Daniel Murphy 2B
- Bryce Harper RF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Ryan Zimmerman 1B
- Danny Espinosa SS
- Pedro Severino C
- Gio Gonzalez LHP
