One thing for sure is that the new “Skittles” tarp is getting plenty of use. Another rainout yesterday will create another doubleheader tomorrow for the Washington Nationals. They are getting used to these by now, but the fans clearly are frustrated by the team’s inability to weigh all the weather factors while being thoughtful of the fans.
Both teams the Nationals will start the proposed Friday night starting pitcher and the Nationals will go with the same exact lineup. The Giants are now starting Jeff Samardzija instead of Stratton.
One familiar face is back for the Giants — Pablo Sandoval. He’s the guy on the other team that you can probably blame for the demise of the Nationals in the 2014 NLDS if you remember Game #2 with Storen on the mound in the 9th inning. Sandoval once again is using his left-handed swing to pepper that leftfield line if you pitch him outside. Sandoval is 6-for-his-last-11 against Nationals’ starter Edwin Jackson for a .545 batting average.
An interesting aside, if Dusty Baker‘s team wins the game tonight, that would be win number 1,835 for Baker and match him with Bruce Bochy and Lou Piniella for 14th most wins for a manager. The differences between the three managers are numerous — for now. Lets just say that Piniella as we discussed earlier with “The Nasty Boys” won a ring, and of course Bruce “Mr. Even Years” Bochy has 3 of them. If it is any consolation, Dusty Baker is well ahead of both of them in career managerial winning percentages.
“He’s got some brains in that big ‘ole head of his,” Dusty Baker said about Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy.
Just three years ago it looked like Dusty Baker was never going to manage again as he was managing his portfolio of investments which included a wine venture as well as a solar power company. Things have certainly changed for Dusty and his eye is on the prize.
The Nationals and Giants only meet for two series a year in the regular season, and the Nationals have never faced the right-handed Chris Stratton who is will not be Giants starter tonight.
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN, NBC – Bay Area, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® Sirius 81 XM 81 (Internet 869)
Line-ups (subject to change without notice):
- Brian Goodwin CF
- Wilmer Difo SS
- Bryce Harper RF
- Ryan Zimmerman 1B
- Daniel Murphy 2B
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Adam Lind LF
- Matt Wieters C
- Edwin Jackson RHP
