Photo from The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches
As we wrote yesterday and hoped tonight would not be the rubber match of the season series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros — it is! Because the Nationals won the first game of the series and lost last night, tonight’s winner will decide the series. There are slight post-season implications on this game, the pride factor, and the TBOTPB crown is at stake. Two of the biggest names in baseball will face-off in this game: Stephen Strasburg and Dallas Keuchel.
As we wrote in the pre-game article yesterday, these two pitchers both emerged from that historic 2009 draft that had Strasburg as the #1 overall pick and Mike Trout was #25 in that first round, and 2nd rounders like Nolan Arenado, Jason Kipnis and D.J. LeMahieu. Dallas Keuchel was picked 220 players after Strasburg.
Keuchel and Strasburg were both on the DL recently and the only difference between these two players is Strasburg isn’t even the #1 pitcher on his team as that is Max Scherzer’s spot. Strasburg and Clayton Kershaw faced off earlier in the season, and it was a true pitcher’s duel in a 2-1 game. You never know how these games will go.
Speaking of Max Scherzer, he will not start tomorrow which creates a small issue for the Nationals. They could pitch Gio Gonzalez on regular rest since he just pitched on Sunday, but Gio threw 121-pitches in that game and probably could use the extra rest day. Could the Nats call-up a starter for tomorrow?
Jayson Werth and Trea Turner finished for now there 3-game stint with the Syracuse Chiefs and the pair will head to the Potomac Nationals for tomorrow’s game after a day-off today.
Photo by NavyYardNats for TalkNats
Werth and Turner have become a good pair, and Trea is getting some quality time with the 38-year-old veteran. Werth said, “It’s good being around him in these games.” You can imagine all of the minor leaguers are thrilled to have both players around.
The good news back to Dusty Baker is that help is on its way!
Washington Nationals at Houston Astros
Stadium: Minute Maid Park
1st Pitch: 8:10 pm EDT
TV: MASN, MLB Network (out-of-market only), AT&T Sportsnet – Southwest, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® (Internet 869)
Line-ups (subject to change without notice):
Here's how we're lining up for the rubber match in Houston. pic.twitter.com/uNuGYJw1a1
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 24, 2017
