Strike 3!; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
Tonight’s game has the 3-7 struggling Nats against the Diamondbacks and their best pitcher of 2021, Taylor Widener. The right-hander who was destined for the bullpen got his shot when Zac Gallen was injured and in two starts has pitched to a 2.45 ERA. The Nats are 2-2 with their “A” lineup but it is hard to win games when your starters are giving up double-digit runs. The Nats turn to Max Scherzer to right the ship and get the Nats back in the W column.
Since you probably have never heard of the 26 year old Widener, he was drafted out of South Carolina by the Yankees in the 12th round in 2016. He throws a high-velo fastball that averages near 94 in his career and also throws a slider and changeup. He throws that fastball over 64% of the time. See it hit it. The changeup and slider are used as chase pitches and he tries to throw those below the zone. The batters who find success are keying on his fastball.
The Nats issue lately is not about the offense, and the team won twice this week on a balanced attack from the two unlikeliest starters: Erick Fedde and Joe Ross. The formula seems clear. Get good starting pitching and this team has a good chance to win.
We will wait and see if the team makes any roster moves today to get a fresh arm into the bullpen.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN, BALLY Sports Arizona, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® ( Streaming Internet 869)
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
1. Trea Turner SS
2. Juan Soto RF
3. Josh Bell 1B
4. Kyle Schwarber LF
5. Josh Harrison 2B
6. Starlin Castro 3B
7. Alex Avila C
8. Victor Robles CF
9. Max Scherzer RHP
