We are a long way from Spring Training and the transition from the injured Cade Cavalli to naming Chad Kuhl as the fifth starter in the Washington Nationals rotation. This is an incredible opportunity for Kuhl who signed a free agent non-guaranteed minor league deal with the Nats, and he emerged as the sixth starter looking for a chance. Unfortunately, Kuhl’s opportunity only came this early because of Cavalli’s injury.
The Nats enter this game with a 1-3 record and facing a 4-0 Tampa Bay team that have been getting incredible starting pitching. The Rays have their number five pitcher on the mound tonight with Josh Fleming. He was a part-time starter and reliever last year and struggled to a 6.43 ERA. This is hopefully a game the Nats can capitalize in because tomorrow they face the Ray’s number one pitcher.
Incredibly, the Nats are in third place in an NL East that is struggling except for the Braves. The Phillies started the season 0-4, and when a team and fanbase expect postseason aspirations, there can be some panic.
Once again Nats’ manager Dave Martinez will do some lineup changes as he tries to get the right balance. Alex Call is back in left field, CJ Abrams will face this left-handed starter, righty Michael Chavis will be at second base, and Riley Adams will get his first start of the season.
Here is your Baseball Savant Statcast link for the game.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
