The Washington Nationals are 9-4 in the past two weeks, and last night’s win set a scoring record for the Nationals for those 7-runs they scored in the 10th inning. With the bats going, can the Nats do it again tonight?
On the mound for the Nats is Jake Irvin who is coming off of that 8.0 inning gem six days ago. He got an extra day of rest due to Monday’s day-off, and the hope is there is no repeat of what we saw after Irvin pitched into the 8th inning on April 25. Then again, Irvin pitched twice last year into the 8th inning and spun out of control in starts immediately after it. Remember, according to manager Dave Martinez, Irvin was lawyering to pitch a complete game, and Martinez wouldn’t let him pitch the 9th inning.
Closer Kyle Finnegan pitched for the first time in a week last night as he worked back from a fatigued arm/shoulder. Jacob Young took swings in the batting cage the past two days. He is eligible to come off of the 10-day IL today after his recovering from a shoulder injury on a collision with the outfield wall over a week ago. You would think they would send him out for a couple of games at a minor league affiliate before activating him.
“They’re all playing well.”
— manager Dave Martinez said about last night’s game
You can see the recent bullpen usage here:
Here are your Nats’ WAR leaders James Wood at +2.4 with MacKenzie Gore at +2.1 followed by CJ Abrams, and Mitchell Parker.
On defense, the stats are starting to give you an idea of what this defense is all about. Paul DeJong is your OAA leader and he hasn’t played in over a month dating back to April 15. Luis Garcia Jr. has slumped this season defensively to a -6.0 already — and with CJ Abrams, they combine for -10.0 OAA. Another issue that we have discussed is the positioning of Nathaniel Lowe at first base as he is too often out of position to make a play — and OAA has his chance at success at only 62 percent which must improve. With as little as Amed Rosario has played on defense, he is at -6.0 OAA this season and the worst on the team. Per Statcast, his defense has cost the Nationals 5-runs. Is his offense good enough to make up that deficit if he plays the field? Keibert Ruiz, per Statcast, has a -6.0 OAA also. The Nationals were supposed to be better on defense. What has happened?
These are your stats leaders on BBRef. There are certainly some surprises on there — good and not so good.
“These guys don’t quit. They’re relentless. And I love it.”
— manager Dave Martinez said last night
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.29 and 5th worst in MLB. The reliever’s ERA sits at a 6.08 and no longer the worst in baseball in ERA.
Here is how the starters rank by ERA:
No. 5 Starter: Trevor Williams 5.69
No. 4 Starter: Michael Soroka 5.61
No. 3 Starter: Mitchell Parker 4.65
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 3.42
No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 3.16
Washington Nationals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
1st Pitch: 9:40 pm EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app; In Spanish on DC 87.7 FM and La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM. On Sirius/XM, tune to Channel 185 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
