Gio Gonzalez likes Facebook, but how many people want to watch a baseball game on their device? Well, unless you are at PNC Park or able to project Facebook on your TV — you will have to get creative to watch the game on your connected device which is sure to make today a nightmare for many people who don’t even subscribe to Facebook. Unless you have 2 devices — good luck watching the game and “live commenting” with your virtual friends on TalkNats.
The Facebook experience certainly has mixed reviews, and we will certainly hear it from people here about their experience. For now, it is what it is. Dave Martinez‘s Nats have a bigger chore today and that is winning today’s game. They send the inconsistent and inefficient Gio Gonzalez to the mound today hoping at the very least he can replicate what Jeremy Hellickson did yesterday. Five days ago the lefty couldn’t get his curveball curving and was relegated to really counting on just his fastball and changeup to get through 5.0 innings of 2-run baseball with an eye-popping 12 baserunners in those 5 innings.
Some call Gonzalez’s high-wire act the Gioudini in homage to the feats of magic Houdini would pull-off but lately Gio has become his own worse enemy with high-pitch counts and inefficient innings. The Nationals won 5-days ago by the good fortune of a Mark Reynolds game-winning pinch-hit home run, but why always count on luck and good fortune and magic? Pitch like the All-Star that Mike Rizzo traded for 6 years ago because your team can’t keep stressing the bullpen game after game, and each win is precious at this time of year with 70 games remaining.
The Nationals face the Pirates right-handed Trevor Williams who is part of a Pirates staff struggling to stay above water. Williams has a losing record and a 4.60 ERA. The Nationals would like to add to Williams misery today.
Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1st Pitch: 12:35 pm EDT
TV: FACEBOOK ONLY
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
- Adam Eaton RF
- Juan Soto LF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Bryce Harper CF
- Matt Adams 1B
- Trea Turner SS
- Wilmer Difo 2B
- Matt Wieters C
- Gio Gonzalez LHP
