The Washington Nationals are 12-6 (.667) since May 14, and now are in a key spot to win another series, and inch closer to .500 for the season. The Nats got a much-need ace of aces performance from MacKenzie Gore last night, and need for tonight’s starter, Jake Irvin, to try to replicate what Gore was able to do.
The Nationals played flawless defense last night except for one wild pitch that got beyond catcher Riley Adams. Maybe the only mistake was not executing the contact play with Nasim Nunez on third base with one-out in the 8th inning.
“Big win. Guys that haven’t been playing stepped up huge tonight, which is cool to see. That’s what good teams do.”
— Gore said after yesterday’s game
You can see the recent bullpen usage here:
Here are your Nats’ WAR leaders James Wood at +2.6 with MacKenzie Gore at +2.4 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 -11.0 OAA. Unfortunately, Daylen Lile has found himself on this list on the negative side of the fielders and already at a -1.0. 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 -7.0 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.
“It goes back to being a dawg and competing. Who was going to let up first? And it sure wasn’t MacK.”
— Nasim Nuñez said after yesterday’s game
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.44 and 6th worst in MLB. The reliever’s ERA sits at a 5.87 and now only the second 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 5.81
No. 3 Starter: Mitchell Parker 4.71
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 3.93
No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 2.87
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 6:45 pm EDT
TV: MASN
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 181 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
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