It’s a battle of attrition on a 25-man roster when your starter exits early. The bullpen needed 7-innings from Gio Gonzalez last night and barely got five. The bullpen covered 8 innings for an injured Erick Fedde and 6 innings for a sick Jeremy Hellickson. Tonight the Washington Nationals pin their hopes on the ace of aces Max Scherzer.
Scherzer has not exactly been pitching efficiently himself lately and that has limited his outings. The Nats desperately need Max to go deep tonight because Sean Doolittle, Ryan, Madson, Brandon Kintzler, and Justin Miller all need the night to rest.
If the Nationals require a save tonight expect Kelvin Herrera to step-up. The former All-Star closer got the night-off yesterday. Matt Grace threw 46-pitches on Wednesday and his availability will be a game time decision. Shawn Kelley didn’t pitch yesterday and should be available. The emergency reliever is Jefry Rodriguez who they are trying to save to pitch in Fedde’s vacated spot for a start on Monday.
The Marlins start their struggling lefty Wei-Yin Chen tonight. He’s at a 5.55 ERA and Nationals manager Dave Martinez will most likely put Mark Reynolds at first base and Michael Taylor in centerfield to bolster a right-handed dominant line-up.
Tonight’s game can only be seen in-person or on the FOX national broadcast. There is no MASN coverage tonight.
Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:15 pm EDT
TV: FOX national broadcast
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
- Trea Turner SS
- Juan Soto LF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Bryce Harper RF
- Mark Reynolds 1B
- Michael Taylor CF
- Wilmer Difo 2B
- Pedro Severino C
- Max Scherzer RHP