The Washington Nationals had a lead that they lost in the bullpen last night. They only got 4.0 innings from starter, MacKenzie Gore, who was placed on the 15-day IL with a blister on his finger, and that might end his season since there are only 20-games remaining after tonight.
While the curtain is close to coming down on the 2023 season for the Nats, there is still work to be done. They need seven more wins to better their record from the 2010 season, and also show a +15 win improvement from last year. With 10 more win, the Nats avoid a 90-loss season and would get them to 73-89. That will not be easy as the Nats have the hardest remaining schedule of any team.
Today’s start goes to Jake Irvin and he currently has the team’s second best ERA and has a great chance to solidify himself as the biggest positive surprise of this 2023 team.
Taking Gore’s spot on the roster is Joe La Sorsa. He will be the fresh arm in the front of the bullpen that used up every reliever last night except for Hunter Harvey and Kyle Finnegan.
βIt’s like it’s contagious [giving up walks]. One guy comes in and does it, and it seems like everybody after him walks one or two guys. Against a team like that, you give them free bases like that, you’re going to pay the price. It just can’t happen.β
β manager Dave Martinez said
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.87 for 23rd best in MLB.
Here is how they rank:
No. 6 Starter: Joan Adon 5.59 (starter’s ERA only)
No. 5 Starter: Patrick Corbin 5.23
No. 4 Starter: Trevor Williams 5.21
No. 3 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 4.42
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.35
No. 1 Starter: Josiah Gray 4.13
Here is your Baseball Savant link for the game.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 4:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app