The Washington Nationals are 7-5 since that trip in the cold weather in Minnesota. This is the best baseball the team has played since mid-August of last year when the team had similar results. The last time the team won three consecutive games was September 3-5 of 2022, and Patrick Corbin was a key part of that winning streak. He pitched a 7.0 inning gem to beat the Mets 7-1. With a taxed “A” bullpen, manager Dave Martinez might have to rely on some “B” bullpen today even if his team has a lead.
After this afternoon “getaway” game, the Nats will head west to Arizona for a weekend series with the Diamondbacks. The Nats will have Josiah Gray to pitch Friday night, MacKenzie Gore on Saturday night, and Trevor Williams for the Sunday finale. Most likely, last night’s starter, Jake Irvin, will get the Monday start in San Francisco followed by Corbin on Tuesday.
“Yeah, we’re gonna keep him around. We haven’t decided yet what we’re gonna do for that starter’s spot. But if he’s here till then, he’ll get a chance to start again.”
— manager Dave Martinez said on Irvin
The Nats starters ERAs are a combined 4.62, and Irvin helped those numbers. He now joins this starter’s group as the team’s sixth starter for now, and is a long way from having enough innings to qualify for the team lead. In the meantime, he will get to be a student and learn in the dugout and then have his first big league bullpen session this weekend in Arizona where he can work on his stuff.
Here is how they rank:
No. 6 Starter: Jake Irvin 2.08 ERA
No. 5 Starter: Chad Kuhl 9.41
No. 4 Starter: Patrick Corbin 5.74
No. 3 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 3.77
No. 2 Starter: Trevor Williams 3.41
No. 1 Starter: Josiah Gray 2.67
Of note in today’s lineup is that, as expected, Keibert Ruiz will get the day-off, but we did not know that the team’s hottest hitter, Victor Robles, will also get a rest day. Robles is batting .302 on the season and per FanGraphs, he has the highest WAR for the position players at +0.6, and it is Robles’ offense that is bolstering that number as his defense went through a tough stretch for most of April. Jeimer Candelario is just behind Robles on the WAR chart. Unfortunately at the bottom are Lane Thomas and Joey Meneses at -0.4 for each. The team really needs Meneses and Dom Smith to provide power from the DH and first base spots.
Here is your Baseball Savant Statcast link for the game.
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 1:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
