The Washington Nationals will be on the road for the first time in 2023, as they look to start a seven-game road trip on a high note. The team is in Denver where they will play four games against the Colorado Rockies before they head to Anaheim to play the Angels across three days. This is actually the Rockies’ Opening Day, and today’s game will be an afternoon start.
The Nationals started their season last Thursday, hosting the Atlanta Braves for three games. After a rough two-game stretch where the Nationals struggled to put the ball in play with runners-in-scoring-position, they ended the series on a high note, notching their first win of the season as they beat the Braves 4-1.
However, they again struggled in their second series of this young season as the Nats went up against their first interleague opponent. The Rays swept the Nationals in three games. The second game of the series was the most frustrating for Nationals fans. Washington dropped the game, despite out-hitting the Rays 16-10. Alex Call was the top performer for the Nationals, going 3-4, with a BB and RBI. Additionally, after a rough first inning, Chad Kuhl had a decent start after he settled down after a rough two innings to start his Nats’ career. Kuhl gave up four runs and four hits during his first two innings, however, he lasted into the fifth inning to keep it close. Erasmo Ramirez, Carl Edwards Jr., and Hunter Harvey kept the Nats lead intact and all threw one inning respectively. However, when it all came down to the ninth, Kyle Finnegan quickly folded under pressure, letting up a barrage of home runs and allowing 5 runs, only retiring one batter via a pick-off.
This series for the Nats’ pitchers will be difficult to evaluate because it is Colorado with cold weather and thin air. While the Nats’ offense might enjoy playing in these conditions, it probably won’t help the pitchers. The simple strategy is to throw more sinkers and keep the ball low in the zone as flyballs will fly with extra distance in Coors Field. The starters in this series for both teams are a combined 1-3 for each team.
Probable pitching matchups:
Thur 4/6 – Josiah Gray (0-1) 9.00 ERA vs. Kyle Freeland (1-0) 0.00 ERA
Fri 4/7 – MacKenzie Gore (1-0) 1.69 ERA vs. José Ureña (0-1) 15.43 ERA
Sat 4/8 – Trevor Williams (0-1) 5.40 ERA vs. Austin Gomber (0-1) 4.50 ERA
Sun 4/9 – Chad Kuhl (0-1) 7.20 ERA vs. Ryan Feltner (0-1) 9.64 ERA
Series Franchise Breakdown:
Record: 122-95
Home Record: 62-45
Road Record: 60-50
Nats to watch:
SP Josiah Gray
Connections to the other team:
*Note this only applies if a specific player has played for the MLB team, not a minor league affiliate
Former Rockies:
LF Corey Dickerson (2013-2015)
SP Chad Kuhl (2021-2022)
Former Nationals:
Brad Hand (2021-2021)
Broadcast information:
TELEVISION: All four games between the Rockies and Nationals will be available to watch for Nats fans. On Thursday and Friday, both games will be on MASN, while on Saturday and Sunday, both games will appear on MASN2. Bob Carpenter will handle play-by-play duties with Kevin Frandsen as the color analyst. Dan Kolko will report from the field. MASN’s television territory covers all or parts of six states and the District of Columbia, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania., to Charlotte, N.C., including Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia.
LOCAL RADIO: 106.7 is the flagship station of the Washington Nationals. Play-by-play broadcasters Dave Jageler and Charlie Slowes will call the action. All games will be available to listen to on the radio.
Prediction:
Nationals’ split the series with the Rockies and head into Anaheim with a 3-6 record.
