Game 104: Diamondbacks at Nats

The Nationals open a critical homestand tonight against Arizona. Plus, updates on Chris Hacopian, Jake Irvin, Trevor Williams and Brad Lord.

It’s been a while – 12 days, to be exact – since the Nationals last played at home. And given what’s taken place since, and what could be coming up next, this homestand might rank as their most important of the season to date.

Adding to the significance, this weekend’s series comes against a Diamondbacks team that currently holds the third and final wild-card berth in the NL at 54-49. The Nationals sit at 52-51, only 2 games back but with three more teams sandwiched in between in the Pirates (53-50), Cardinals (52-50) and Marlins (52-51). Suffice it to say, the Nats need to win at least two of these games over the next three days.

It’s Zack Littell’s start day, but he’ll be pitching in bulk relief behind Carson Palmquist, who gets another opportunity to be the opener. Palmquist enjoyed a clean first inning Tuesday night in Colorado before giving up four runs in the second. Blake Butera made it sound like he’ll stick with Palmquist through most of Arizona’s left-handed bats, so it may have less to do with how he’s performing and more to do with who’s due up.

The Nationals will be facing three lefties this weekend, beginning with veteran Eduardo Rodriguez in tonight’s game. Butera is once again using Andrés Chaparro in the 3-spot, but he’s also giving Luis García Jr. a chance to start against the left-hander, just further down in the order.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV, FOX 5 (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Partly cloudy, 80 degrees, wind 10 mph in from right

DIAMONDBACKS
2B Ketel Marte
RF Corbin Carroll
SS Geraldo Perdomo
C Gabriel Moreno
3B Nolan Arenado
LF Max Kepler
1B Tyler Locklear
DH Adrian Del Castillo
CF Tim Tawa

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez

NATIONALS
LF James Wood
3B Curtis Mead
DH Andrés Chaparro
SS CJ Abrams
RF Dylan Crews
CF Jacob Young
C Harry Ford
1B Luis García Jr.
2B Nasim Nuñez

LHP Carson Palmquist

PREGAME NOTES

Photo by Billy Sabatini / ALL-PRO REELS

HACOPIAN TAKES BP AT NATIONALS PARK

First-round pick Chris Hacopian was at the ballpark this afternoon for his formal introductory press conference and a chance to take batting practice and infield drills with the Nationals for the first time. The Montgomery County native, who was selected 11th overall earlier this month, looked right at home interacting with players and staff from the team he’s rooted for his entire life.

Hacopian said he has received messages from several former Nats players since draft day, including Danny Espinosa (his favorite player when he was little) and Howie Kendrick (who produced his favorite moment as a fan).

“To get a message from a Washington legend like that was really cool,” he said of World Series hero Kendrick.

Hacopian signed during the All-Star break for $5.7 million (below MLB’s designated slot value of $6,133,500) and immediately reported to West Palm Beach to begin working out with fellow draft picks. Today’s visit to D.C. is a high-profile break for the 21-year-old, who has handled all the attention well but looks forward to getting back to work.

“I’ve had goals to be a professional baseball player for a long time. So this is everything I’ve worked for, that my family has worked for. And now that it’s reality, there is an area where I just want to have gratitude for that,” he said. “But I’m also in West Palm Beach now training for a week. I have goals to not only be a professional baseball player, but to be a high-level, major-league baseball player. So the grind doesn’t really stop.”

INJURY UPDATES

Both Jake Irvin and Trevor Williams are making rehab starts tonight, Irvin for Double-A Harrisburg and Williams for Triple-A Rochester, as each right-hander moves closer to coming off the IL.

Irvin is coming off a strong outing for Harrisburg, tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings on 51 pitches Sunday against New Hampshire. If all goes well tonight, his next start could be for the Nationals in a big-league game.

Williams had less success pitching Sunday for Single-A Wilmington, allowing three runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings. This will be his sixth rehab start, though, and his 30-day clock is close to expiring, so the Nats will need to make a decision soon whether to activate him or shut him down again.

Brad Lord, meanwhile, is scheduled to face live hitters Wednesday afternoon, the first time he’ll have done that since going on the 15-day IL two weeks ago with left side tightness.

Josiah Gray and DJ Herz each threw bullpen sessions this week in West Palm Beach. Richard Lovelady played catch from 90 feet. PJ Poulin has not begun throwing yet and is still receiving treatment and completing a forearm strengthening program.