The Washington Nationals are just over 24-hours from the 6pm ET trade deadline tomorrow. Yesterday, the team flew Zach Brzykcy to Houston per TalkNats’ sources in case a trade was completed before the start of the game. Most believe Kyle Finnegan and Michael Soroka will be traded soon. This afternoon’s scheduled starting pitcher, MacKenzie Gore, has been part of several trade rumors. Will this be his final start in a Nationals uniform?
Today is also a getaway game. The Nationals will fly back to Washington D.C. after the game ahead of a day-off tomorrow on trade deadline day.
Rumors are flying all over the internet on who will be traded. It is that time of year to be on “hug watch” in case any player gets traded mid-game. Obviously Amed Rosario has already been traded, and the other four names we keep hearing are Finnegan, Soroka, Josh Bell, and Gore. We haven’t heard Nathaniel Lowe‘s name mentioned in a while for a trade scenario. What about Luis Garcia Jr., Alex Call, Jacob Young, Andrew Chafin and the other Luis Garcia?
“The Nationals have done really well by me. It’s been fun, and whatever happens, happens, but it’s a good place — a lot of good guys. I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
— Michael Soroka said after yesterday’s game
The bullpen usage looks like this:
Here are your Nats’ WAR leaders with James Wood at +3.3, MacKenzie Gore at +2.8 CJ Abrams at +3.1, and . Add those up, and you get a total of +9.2 WAR. The issue is the large gap between those players and the next tier.
On defense, the OAA stats give you a good picture of the team’s overall defense which is the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good news is that besides Nathaniel Lowe, the defense under interim-manager Miguel Cairo has drastically improved. All of a sudden, Luis Garcia Jr. looks Gold Glove in the month of July.
This is a Stacast defensive chart on runs saved Jacob Young is +9 and runs lost like Daylen Lile at -7. Those are the two extremes on the team and then you can extrapolate for a full season:
These are your stats leaders on BBRef. There are certainly some surprises on there — good and not so good. The issue is the consistency on this team.
“Sometimes, like I’ve said before, I want to use everyone in the bullpen. I can’t be using the same guys every day. I don’t want to break their arms, either. Sometimes when they come into those situations, they’ve got a job to do.”
— Cairo said after yesterday’s game
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.74 and that places the starters at 4th from last in MLB. The reliever’s ERA sits at a 5.63 and now the worst in baseball in ERA.
Here is how the starters rank by ERA:
No. 5 Starter: Brad Lord 3.27 (starting/relieving)
No. 4 Starter: Michael Soroka 4.87
No. 3 Starter: Mitchell Parker 4.91
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.69
No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 3.52
Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros
Stadium: Daikin Park, Houston, Texas
1st Pitch: 2:10 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 179 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
