Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats
The Washington Nationals will not be playing in the 2018 postseason, however, their results from today’s game could determine who wins the NL West. If the Rockies beat the Nats today, they would at worst clinch a tie for the NL West crown which would require a 163rd “play-in” game between the Rockies and Dodgers to determine who wins the NL West. If the Rockies win today and tomorrow, they win the NL West at least a game ahead of the Dodgers. For the Nationals, they want to win today to guarantee a winning season. The Nats record today is 81-79. While they have already guaranteed themselves sole possession of 2nd Place in the NL East, a winning record would feel better than finishing at 81-81.
The Rockies are pitching their #2 pitcher tonight, Jon Gray, who will face the Nationals #2 pitcher, Stephen Strasburg. A month ago, Gray was struggling and the Rockies suspected he had some arm fatigue. They gave him a few days of extra rest last week and Gray rebounded with a 7.0 inning gem where he only gave up 1-run to the Phillies last week. In the past, a few of the Nationals batters have hit Gray well like Wilmer Difo, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon, but most have never faced the long-haired righty from Shawnee, Oklahoma.
For tomorrow, both teams have not committed to pitchers as each team is waiting to see the outcome of today’s game. In fact, Max Scherzer said he might pitch tomorrow if the NL West has not been decided.
Washington Nationals vs. Colorado Rockies
Stadium: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
1st Pitch: 8:10 pm EDT
TV: MASN2; MLB App out-of-market
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
