Photo by Lynn G. for TalkNats
As Spring Training wraps up in 5 days, the Washington Nationals neighbors in the complex at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches are the opponent once again in their six game “A” schedule. The Astros have their big offseason acquisition, Jake Odorizzi, starting in the one and he will face Stephen Strasburg.
One player who has not figured it out is Juan Soto. but manager Dave Martinez said that he is not concerned about his superstar. He said a lot of what Soto is trying to do is go the other way with pitches. His slash is .200/.273/.200/.473 and no extra base hits. In fact most of those hits were on the ground, and some never left the infield.
In tonight’s lineup, Starlin Castro was scratched before the lineup was written as a precaution after he was removed from yesterday’s game with a hamstring cramp. He was supposed to be starting at 3rd base tonight as Davey said he wanted him to go back-to-back games at 3rd base. The team is waiting to see how his MRI looks. Castro said he feels fine. The team wants to be certain and that is why they are doing the MRI. Carter Kieboom will now start at 3rd base.
For Strasburg, he had the calf tweak over a week ago and is supposed to go up to six innings and 80-90 pitches. The rotation is starting to look like it could be Max Scherzer to Patrick Corbin then the team must decide if they flip-flop Strasburg and Jon Lester so they do not have back-to-back lefties in the ordering of the starting rotation.
Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Ballpark of the Palm Beaches; West Palm Beach, Florida
1st Pitch: 6:05 pm EDT
TV: N/A
Radio: Nationals Radio Network and the MLB app
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
- Victor Robles CF
- Trea Turner SS
- Juan Soto RF
- Ryan Zimmerman DH
- Josh Bell – 1B
- Kyle Schwarber – LF
- Josh Harrison 2B
- Alex Avila C
- Carter Kieboom – 3B
Stephen Strasburg RHP
