The morning discussion on MLB Network between Eduardo Perez and former-GM, Steve Phillips, was that the Washington Nationals showed “urgency” last night. Yes, manager Dave Martinez went after that Curly W, and it felt like a playoff game for Martinez. If Kyle Finnegan‘s arm is healthy, then all is good as he has thrown 68 pitches the past three days en route to 32-pitches last night to get the final 5-outs of the game.
The Nats have a three game winning streak coming into today’s game in which Brad Lord will make his first career start at the MLB level, replacing the injured Michael Soroka. You can bet that Jackson Rutledge could see some action as well as Orlando Ribalta. The struggling Colin Poche seems to be relegated to use only when the team is behind.
You can see the recent bullpen usage here:
You have to wonder who the Nats closer would be tonight? Jose A. Ferrer would seem the most likely choice. With Thursday’s day-off and Wednesday’s day-game, the Nats might give Finnegan a few days off now.
The Dodgers are also dealing with injuries, and they have a spot starter going in place of the injured Blake Snell. This could get real interesting for the Dodgers today and tomorrow as they have to piece together their pitching and lengthen their bullpen.
In the Nats’ four wins this season, the average margin of victory is exactly 2-runs per game. Close games require the urgency of your hi-lev bullpen arms, and that puts stress on the bullpen when the team is winning. The team needs extra runs and to get their first blow-out win of the season. This concept of the value of a singular run should put more focus on getting the little things right like last night having the lead-off man, Josh Bell, on-base in the 8th inning and not pinch-running for him. Those are the little things. Also, best defense should be inserted in late innings close games which Martinez did finally do last night. Again, the little things start with the managers and coaches then to the players to execute the plan.
“That felt like a playoff game. To play against a team like the Dodgers, their résumé speaks for itself. To play with them — and compete all the way to the last out — it says a lot of things about our team and our grit. We can play with anybody in the league.”
— said Finnegan
For today’s game, the Nationals enter with a 4-6 record making it to where the team would have been at .500 if they had just won a singular game in Toronto. Now the goal will be to win tonight and secure another series win.
Here are your Nats’ WAR leaders with MacKenzie Gore on top. Paul DeJong is your OAA leader, and here are your stats leaders on BBRef. There are certainly some surprises on there — good and not so good.
“We had a chance to win the game. That’s the reason why [Finnegan] is here. He closes games for us. He did that today, and he did it really well.”
— Martinez said
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 3.64 and 12th best in MLB. The reliever’s ERA sits at a poor 6.42 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 2.65
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 179 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
