Photo by MarkFD for TalkNats
This time they are playing in Trevor Rogers‘ neighborhood in a rematch of last week’s Mr. Rogers vs. Mr. Rogers as the two lefties go at it again. Josh Rogers is the entertaining pitcher for the Washington Nationals. He rocks it on the mound in a highly entertaining way when he is in a groove.
The Nats tryout for next year is getting real interesting in regards to next season’s rotation. Penciling in the contenders of Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, and Erick Fedde as those who seem to be the frontrunners with the injured Joe Ross as a major question mark. Then you have Rogers, Paolo Espino, and Josiah Gray all competing for spots.
Lately, the biggest issue seems centered on the bullpen that has been giving it up at the end. Tanner Rainey has been a pleasant surprise since he returned to the team on Sunday with six strikeouts after facing six batters in total. Hopefully he gets the night off tonight.
In an analysis of the offense, they have been putting up 4.68 runs per game since the trade deadline. Compare that to 4.38 runs before the deadline, and you wonder how that is possible when that team had Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Josh Harrison and Yan Gomes. Shocking yes, but then you drill down to that team was feast or famine. They scored 11-18 runs in 8 games while scoring 1-2 runs 36 times. Even with all of those big names, they were shutdown 35% of the time. Sure, they won a few of those 1-0, 2-0, and 2-1 games, but not enough of those. This new offense has been steady as you go only score 2-runs or less in 14.8% of their games. But yes, it has mattered little as the bullpen and starting rotation has worsened, and the reason this team will lose close to 99-games this season.
With Lane Thomas and Keibert Ruiz showing what they can do, and glimpses from Luis Garcia, and the greatness from Juan Soto, there is a renewed optimism for the 2022 lineup. The team should be bringing back Josh Bell in his final year of arbitration, and it would seem wise to extend a deal to Alcides Escobar, and then fill-in from there.
Yes, you can find some optimism even in a 99-loss team because if you can find 27 more wins, you’re a 90-72 team. Easier said than done, and today the team did some housecleaning throughout their minor league system as they will not bring back several coaches. Finally.
Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium: Loan Depot Park, Miami, Florida
1st Pitch: 6:40 pm EDT
TV: MASN2, Bally Sports Florida, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® ( Streaming Internet 869)
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
1. Lane Thomas CF
2. Alcides Escobar SS
3. Juan Soto RF
4. Josh Bell 1B
5. Keibert Ruiz C
6. Yadiel Hernandez LF
7. Jordy Mercer 3B
8. Luis García 2B
9. Josh Rogers LHP
