Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
There are only six games left to close the Washington Nationals season. That is a fact, however there are six games remaining for players to show what they have. While Juan Soto has nothing to prove, he is competing for a batting crown, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, and the MVP. Just being able to watch Juan Soto on a daily basis is a thrill, and especially for youngsters who could be telling stories 50 years from now that they saw Soto play.
The memories of the game might fade a little, but there are those moments of clarity of the greatest moments of the game that you might never forget. While the Nats overall stink this year, it cannot take away from what we are witnessing. Baseball has always been ingrained in our American history, and has really become and international game.
Enjoy it and embrace it and don’t let anyone spoil your good time(s). We will be clamoring for baseball a week from today. Early off-seasons are the worst. General manager Mike Rizzo will start his autopsy of the 2021 season and planning will start on 2022. We will debate on who should stay and who should not. There will be no debate on Soto. However there will be debate on how you can pay him to stay a Nats’ player for life. Get ready for it. That will be the debate until either he is signed, traded, or becomes a free agent.
When the Nats team charter landed at 10:11 pm EDT last night at Denver International Airport, they touched-down for their final road trip of this 2021 season. After Wednesday’s afternoon game against Colorado, the team will take a flight back for a weekend series against Boston.
Tonight will matchup Josiah Gray with the righty German Marquez. By the way, Soto is a career 2-5 against Marquez with a home run. Gray has faced the Rockies twice this season, but never at altitude like this. We will see how this one goes for the rookie. He lines up to pitch once more this season in the weekend series against the Red Sox.
The Batting Average race is quickly boiling down to a two person race. Juan Soto vs. Trea Turner. Trea Turner starts today at 3.222; and Juan Soto at 3.216. Both round to .322.
The Dodgers have an off day today, and all the players, except Marte (who can’t catch Turner or Soto in up to 5 ABs today), we have been tracking are off today. So the only numbers to look at are Soto vs. Turner. The table at right shows what Juan needs to do today to pass Turner for the BA lead.
Washington Nationals vs. Colorado Rockies
Stadium: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
1st Pitch: 8:40 pm EDT
TV: MASN, ATT SportsNet Rocky Mountains, MLB.TV
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. Keibert Ruiz C
7. Luis García 2B
8. Carter Kieboom 3B
9. Josiah Gray RHP
