The Washington Nationals had the day-off yesterday in Cincinnati before the teams open a weekend series. The Nats have a score to settle with the Reds after they swept the Nats in a 4-game series in D.C. during that July 4th holiday series. If you removed those 4-games against the Reds, the Nats were 18-12 in that span — but since those games count — the Nats were 18-16 in the team’s 34-game span, and that started in San Diego at the end of June. Just think if this team could go 18-16 in the next 34 games.
Before Wednesday’s game I wrote, “There could be a roster move or two coming for left field” and that became clear after the game when Luis Garcia was optioned to Triple-A and Corey Dickerson was released, and we broke the news that Blake Rutherford was being called up. The former first round pic of the Yankees will start for the Nats today in left field for his MLB debut.
To fill the void at second base, the Nats added a bench piece with Jeter Downs, and the team will actually play Jake Alu at second base and Ildemaro Vargas at third base.
Some other news was that Trevor Williams will not return from his bereavement leave to make his Saturday start. Because yesterday was a day-off, the team could skip Williams in the rotation and just pitch Jake Irvin on regular rest -or- they could call-up Joan Adon or Jackson Rutledge for a spot start. We will see. Tonight, Patrick Corbin pitches as scheduled.
The Nats had a walk-off win on a 2-run error to win that game and the series against the Brewers, and that just added to the hot prior month for this team.
“They’re relentless playing to 27-outs.”
— manager Dave Martinez said
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.67 for 19th best in MLB.
Here is how they rank:
No. 5 Starter: Patrick Corbin 5.07
No. 4 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.86
No. 3 Starter: Trevor Williams 4.72
No. 2 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 4.34
No. 1 Starter: Josiah Gray 3.54
Here is your Baseball Savant Statcast Link for the game.
Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium: Great American Ballpark
1st Pitch: 6:40 pm EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app
