The Washington Nationals are 13-7 (.650) since May 14, and this series holds a lot of hope for the Nationals in what could be for this team. With a key win last night, the Nats have a chance to win this series in today’s game.
For Washington, they have Mitchell Parker with the start with hopes that he can throw a zero in his first inning in this game. The Rangers have Jacob deGrom going. The Nats haven’t faced him in three years, and coincidentally that day on August 2, 2022, was trade deadline day when general manager Mike Rizzo pulled off the blockbuster trade sending Juan Soto to the Padres. At that time, deGrom was with the Mets, and the Nats had Cory Abbott on the mound for that Nats’ win.
After today’s game, the season will be 40 percent completed. Time is flying, and we are just 17-games to the mathematical midpoint in the season. The All-Star ballots are live now, and the Nats have some players who have earned spots from James Wood to CJ Abrams, as well as the pitchers MacKenzie Gore and closer Kyle Finnegan. Remember, pitchers aren’t voted in. https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-mediawall-asg-2025
The Nationals will have a pre-game video tribute to Patrick Corbin who is now with the visiting Texas Rangers.
“Just focus on the moment now. … I felt [Soroka] had enough to get through that [sixth] inning.”
— manager Dave Martinez said after yesterday’s game
You can see the recent bullpen usage here:
Here are your Nats’ WAR leaders James Wood at +2.5 with MacKenzie Gore at +2.4 followed by CJ Abrams.
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 nearly two months dating back to April 15. Luis Garcia Jr. has slumped this season defensively to a -7.0 already — and with CJ Abrams, they combine for -12.0 OAA. Clearly, that is an issue.
Another defensive 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 -7.0 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.
“I love the guy. Good or bad he took the ball every five days. Without him, we don’t win the World Series.”
— Dave Martinez said after yesterday’s game about Patrick Corbin
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.37 and 9th worst in MLB. The reliever’s ERA sits at a 5.85 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 4.86
No. 3 Starter: Mitchell Parker 4.71
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.02
No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 2.87
Texas Rangers vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 4:05 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 180 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
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