The Washington Nationals were able to win the past two games against the Diamondbacks to take some positivity into this three game series against the reigning World Series champs. In fact, the Dodgers are at the White House today.
The Nats won consecutive games with no home runs. That felt more like 2024, and especially when there were key moments from the homeplate ump blowing two key calls in one at-bat and some unfortunate outfield defense that made the game closer than it should have been. But it was a win!
Both Nats wins over the weekend were by one run. This concept of the value of a singular run should put more focus on getting the little things right. Until all of the bats get going for the Nationals, you kind of expect them to be edging out wins in close games.
“As I always say, ‘One more than the other guys always works.’ We hung in there.”
— said Martinez
For today’s game, the Nationals enter with a 3-6 record, and the Nationals turn to their Opening Day starter, MacKenzie Gore, in what is going to be a cold and cloudy game with temperatures getting only about a dozen degrees above the freezing mark at first pitch. The Dodgers have the right-handed Dustin May on the mound. One player who will not start is CJ Abrams who tweaked the muscle in his thigh and will sit this one out. Manager Dave Martinez‘s level of concern, “Right now, none.”
The Nats still need to decide how they will piece together their rotation for tomorrow’s game against the Dodgers. In fact, L.A. has the same issue as they just put Blake Snell on the 15-day IL, and he was set to pitch tomorrow. With Michael Soroka‘s bicep strain, the Nats will have to decide who takes his spot in the rotation. It most likely will be Brad Lord, however, Martinez would not commit to naming him at this point. The Nats have a day-off on Thursday ahead of flying to Miami for a weekend series next week, and an opportunity to re-seed their rotation.
“[Sunday] was a good day. We came out and scored some runs against a good pitcher. He’s really good. So proud of the guys. We tried to win a series, … and we got it accomplished — and it was a good day.”
— Martinez said
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 3.72 and 11th best in MLB. The reliever’s ERA sits at a poor 6.46 and must improve.
Here is how they rank by ERA in the first time through the rotation:
No. 5 Starter: Trevor Williams 5.40
No. 4 Starter: Michael Soroka 7.20
No. 3 Starter: Mitchell Parker 0.73
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 5.40
No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 2.45
Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 6:45 pm EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app; In Spanish on DC 87.7 FM and La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM. On Sirius/XM, tune to Channel 177 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
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