From @Nationals Instagram
There are times when your team is tested, and the Washington Nationals have looked ordinary for the last four games. The clutch hits have been few and far between, the bullpen has been spotty, the starting rotation has been inconsistent, and that is how you end up with a four game losing streak. Call on Max Scherzer as the stopper today with the hopes that he is up to the task. Nothing is easy as the Braves have their rookie sensation, Mike Soroka, on the mound this afternoon.
The news last night regarding Kurt Suzuki hurting his throwing elbow has caused the Nationals to make a series of roster moves by calling up catcher Tres Barrera and to open up a 40-man spot for Barrera the Nats recalled Spencer Kieboom and placed him on the 60-day IL. That will mean that Yan Gomes will get the bulk of the starts. The Nats will figure out how to split time with the highly regarded Barrera and Raudy Read.
Since Scherzer’s return from the 10-day IL and missing several starts, he has been on a pitch count, but today his manager, Dave Martinez, says that he will be able to pitch over one hundred pitches. Of course all of that depends on Scherzer’s effectiveness, and the Nats need him to step up and end this losing streak now.
For today’s lineup, Matt Adams will get the start at first base to give the Nats more lefties to face Soroka. In rightfield, Adam Eaton will start again in rightfield.
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves
Stadium: SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, Georgia
1st Pitch: 1:20 pm EDT
TV: MASN, FOX Sports Southeast, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® ( Streaming Internet 869)
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
- Trea Turner – SS
- Adam Eaton – RF
- Anthony Rendon – 3B
- Juan Soto – LF
- Asdrubal Cabrera – 2B
- Matt Adams – 1B
- Victor Robles – CF
- Yan Gomes – C
- Max Scherzer – RHP
