The Washington Nationals are finally back in Washington, D.C. after returning from a very successful 6-3 road trip from San Diego to Seattle to Philadelphia in which the Nats won all three series. This was the best showing on winning three consecutive road series since 2017. The Nats have played baseball at just one-game under .500 on the road this season, but the home record is an horrific .325 winning percentage. Why? That’s an article for another day.
The Nats had two roster moves today as they placed Thaddeus Ward on the 15-day IL retroactive to Sunday with right shoulder inflammation. We had put out there that Ward had some discomfort in his arm but gutted through it. An MRI today showed the inflammation. The timing was coincidental as the Nats needed a spot for Patrick Corbin who returned from the bereavement list after the passing of his grandmother.
While the baseball world has heard all about the phenom Elly De La Cruz, Nats fans will get to see him tonight along with these young Reds players that have put their team in a race for first place in the weak NL Central. From Brady House‘s draft year in 2021, the Reds drafted UCLA shortstop Matt McLain after House, and he has been tearing it up since his MLB debut. Facing the Reds tonight is rookie Jake Irvin, and the Reds will have Luke Weaver. The key for the Nats is to get on the right-handed Weaver, early and often.
“Loved it. These guys come today, we’re down 3-0 and we come back. Big home run by Stone Garrett, but we come back and we play a tough game. We fight until the end there. I can’t say enough about these guys. Man, I love these guys. I really do. They’re in it. They were in it every day. They played 27 hours hard, so I’m proud of them.”
— manager Dave Martinez said after the previous game
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.55 for 20th best in MLB.
Here is how they rank:
No. 5 Starter: Patrick Corbin 4.84
No. 4 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.72
No. 3 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 4.48
No. 2 Starter: Trevor Williams 4.34
No. 1 Starter: Josiah Gray 3.30
Here is your Baseball Savant Statcast Link for the game.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 6:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app
