Photo by Sam Frost for TalkNats
First pitch for the 2nd game of this doubleheader will be at 7:40 pm. The Rockies in the first game of this doubleheader went with their normal line-up and only Mark Reynolds did not start. The Nationals went without Daniel Murphy and Matt Wieters to start the game. The Rockies have taken the first two games in this series, and these doubleheaders are also a game of attrition where pitchers are used up.
The Nationals bullpen had Matt Albers throw 24 pitches last night, Oliver Perez 17, and Sammy Solis 10 pitches. This afternoon, Perez threw another 22 pitches for a 2-day total of 39 pitches. Matt Grace threw 33 pitches, Enny Romero threw 19, and Joe Blanton threw 15. Sean Doolittle has not appeared this weekend, and Ryan Madson warmed up last night but did not throw in the actual game.
Given all of that information, Oliver Perez might not be available for a few days and the same for Matt Grace. It would be nice if they don’t pitch Matt Albers tonight also.
There does not appear any roster moves will be made for tonight’s game to get Dusty Baker a “long-man” so the hope has to be that tonight’s starter, Edwin Jackson, goes long into this game. Can EJax get Baker 8 innings? Tune in to find out.
Andrew Stevenson will get his first MLB start and leading off while Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman start on the bench. Daniel Murphy will bat 3rd with his “protection” of Anthony Rendon hitting right behind him in the clean-up spot. Howie Kendrick is in his familiar 2-hole and Brian Goodwin and Wilmer Difo move to the back of the order.
Here's how we're lining up for Game 2. pic.twitter.com/ecy88W4Rb9
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 30, 2017
This is the final regular season game against the Rockies. If there is another game this year against the Rockies, that would signal good post-season fortunes for both teams based on projected seeding. The Nationals are heading to an NL East division crown and a number 2 seed in the playoffs and the Rockies are hoping for a Wild Card berth.
After the conclusion of this game, there is only 59 games remaining in the regular season and 21 1/2 hours to the end of the non-waiver trade deadline at 4pm EST tomorrow.
