The Washington Nationals enter this game stuck in a 5-game losing streak, and mistakes once again K.O.’d the team. Tell me if you heard this before: Another winnable game lost in a 1-run game. Errors, pitches in the dirt not blocked, plays not made, walks not accepted, and the 14th blown save of the season.
The Nats are tied for second in MLB with 14 blown saves, and only the Orioles have more blown saves. The difference is the Orioles only have 10 bullpen losses, and the Nats have 13. Remember, blown saves don’t have to turn into losses.
This afternoon, the Nats will turn their hopes to MacKenzie Gore to deliver a much needed win. If you go by FIP, Gore is the team’s best pitcher. If you go by ERA, he is the team’s second best pitcher. The Nats need a true gem, and a shutdown bullpen to stop this losing streak. It would help to get some big run support too.
For the home team, they have lefty Jared Shuster on the mound. He has a 4.99 ERA, and that includes a start against the Oakland A’s.
“ Tough loss. We played well until the bottom of the eighth. As I always say, when you give good teams extra outs, they’re going to get you, and that’s what we did in the bottom of the eighth.”
— manager Dave Martinez said last night
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.48 for 17th best in MLB. The Nats are just 0.46 from 9th best in MLB in ERA. The Nats enter this game tied with Arizona for starter’s ERA.
Here is how they rank:
No. 5 Starter: Jake Irvin 5.81 ERA
No. 4 Starter: Patrick Corbin 4.89
No. 3 Starter: Trevor Williams 4.15
No. 2 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 3.66
No. 1 Starter: Josiah Gray 3.00
Here is your Baseball Savant Statcast link for the game.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves
Stadium: Truist Park, Georgia
1st Pitch: 4:10 pm EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
