Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
The Washington Nationals take their show on the road again for a quick two-series road trip that begins with four games in Pittsburgh. The Nationals had the option of skipping Joe Ross because of the day-off last Thursday and go with Stephen Strasburg on regular rest. But why do that when it is Joe Ross’ spot in the rotation. Ross is the statistically the best starting pitcher in baseball since August 1st with a 0.50 ERA and three wins in 18 innings.
This is a “what have you done for me lately” business proposition for Ross. Pitch great tonight, and you will be the 5th starter in the Nationals rotation when Max Scherzer joins his mates on Thursday in PNC Park after he officially come off of the IL.
For the Pirates, they send the right-handed Trevor Williams to the mound. Since returning from the IL, Williams has continued to struggle to a 6.92 in his last 39 innings and if you let him he will issue walks.
Nats’ manager Dave Martinez is going with Yan Gomes again to rest Kurt Suzuki and going with Asdrubal Cabrera at second base in place of Brian Dozier who is on paternity leave. The Nats have had limited success against the previous version of Williams except for Anthony Rendon, Matt Adams and Trea Turner. In fact, Rendon and Turner have home runs against him.
Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN, ATT Sportsnet, MLB Network (out-of-market), MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® ( Streaming Internet 869)
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
