Photo by Kevin Nibley for TalkNats
For the 2021 season, the Washington Nationals will be finished with games in New York after today’s series finale. The Nats and Mets will meet next weekend in a rare wrap-around weekend series that carries into Monday on Labor Day. They will actually play five games over the four-game series due to a makeup game that dates back to the postponements from the COVID postponed Opening Day series.
Last night’s game was part and parcel of what has ailed the Nats for almost every loss — that one self-destructive inning. Looking at Mason Thompson‘s record on inherited runners, it is the first-time in four appearances that he has allowed any inherited runners to score. Nats’ manager Dave Martinez made a defensible decision to bring in Thompson, because it wasn’t like he had Daniel Hudson available. Yes, the Nats need that fireman for their future bullpen. The bigger issue truth be old told was the previous batter who Ryne Harper plunked in a 1-2 count. But that is baseball.
So onward to today’s game matching up two pitchers who are close in results this season. That would be Erick Fedde vs. the righty Tylor Megill. Both have ERAs north of 4.00, but both have shown signs that they can throw some gems. Fedde is coming off of a really good start in Miami and needs to build on that.
As we await manager Davey Martinez’s lineup we will see who bats lead-off between Lane Thomas and Victor Robles. The question is just wondering why Robles has been leading off? Fine, play him somewhere but keep Thomas in there. This season, Robles’ lead-off slash is a putrid .198 /.286/ .292/ .578.
After this game, the Nats head home for a 3-game series against the Phillies.
Monday: Zack Wheeler vs. Josiah Gray
Tuesday: Matt Moore vs. Patrick Corbin
Wednesday: Aaron Nola vs. Paolo Espino
The Nats also announced in advance that Keibert Ruiz would be called up for Monday’s game against the Phillies and you can assume he will be catching Gray. Not only is Ruiz the Nats top prospect, he is ranked in the Top-20 in all of baseball across most ratings. He was acquired in the blockbuster deal along with Gray and Donovan Casey and Gerardo Carrillo for Trea Turner and Max Scherzer.
Keibert Ruiz; Photo by Ryan Morris for TalkNats
Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets
Stadium: CitiField, Queens, New York
1st Pitch: 1:10 pm EDT
TV: MASN; WPIX; MLB App out-of-market
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® ( Streaming Internet 869)
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
1. Lane Thomas CF
2. Alcides Escobar SS
3. Juan Soto RF
4. Josh Bell 1B
5. Yadiel Hernandez LF
6. Carter Kieboom 3B
7. Luis García 2B
8. Tres Barrera C
9. Erick Fedde RHP
