Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
Yesterday was an off-day which means today Nationals’ manager Dave Martinez must click the “On” switch. There are only 11 dates remaining after today with games scheduled. Time is drawing nigh as they used to say. When will we see any semblance of the Opening Day line-up that Davey Martinez will write-up two weeks from today when the Washington Nationals open the season in Cincinnati?
So far, DMart has only had at most 5 starters in any game during this Grapefruit League pre-season. The line-up has been so disjointed that it has been an Abbott & Costello flashback to Who’s on first, What’s on second, I Don’t Know is on third — well, yes, Tony “Two Bags” Rendon is on third, but seriously we’ve seen more of Ian Sagdal and Spencer Kieboom playing first base than Ryan Zimmerman.
So far, Jose Marmolejos, Moises Sierra, and Chris Dominguez have led the Washington Nationals team in games played with 18 each in Grapefruit League games. When all is said and done, Victor Robles will most likely lead the Nats in at-bats, and the top prospect is not even projected to make the Opening Day roster.
Davey Martinez keeps reminding us that Michael Taylor, Ryan Zimmerman, and Adam Eaton are getting their at-bats on the minor league side of camp. I bet nobody over there throws a fastball like Noah Syndergaard. or breaking pitches you see from real MLB starting pitchers. Just saying.
“These guys can get all their baseball activities done [on the Minor League side],” Dave Martinez said. “They’re doing really well. [Taylor] got a couple hits and felt good. His swing looks good. We’ll do that a couple times because it’s controlled. He can play the field when he wants. He can hit every other inning if he wants. It’s totally up to him.”
Washington Nationals batting coach Kevin Long said the other day that Adam Eaton had 40 at-bats on the Minor League side. That sounds promising considering Bryce Harper hasn’t had that many this spring.
Costello: The left fielder’s name?
Abbott: Why.
We at least know the right fielder’s name is Bryce. Maybe we are worrying about nothing. Mike Rizzo said he expects Adam Eaton to start on Opening Day. Here is a look at the 45 players still in camp.
There is no MASN TV or Charlie and Dave on the radio today as Tommy Milone and Dallas Keuchel start this game between the Nationals and Houston Astros. This is Stephen Strasburg‘s scheduled day to pitch, and he will go to the minor league side to get his work in. That seems to be the theme this pre-season. Dave Martinez keeps reminding us that “all is well”. Keep repeating that — “all is well”. Do you feel better?
Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida
1st Pitch: 1:05 pm EDT
TV:
Nats Radio: Houston radio fee available on MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
- Trea Turner SS
- Howie Kendrick 2B
- Bryce Harper RF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Matt Wieters C
- Matt Adams 1B
- Victor Robles CF
- Ryan Raburn LF
- Wilmer Difo DH
Tommy Milone LHP
