Game 109: Blue Jays at Nats
The Nationals seek their fourth consecutive series win this afternoon before heading out for a huge road trip to Atlanta and Philadelphia
The Nationals came out of the All-Star break winning two of three in Sacramento, then two of three in Colorado, then two of three against Arizona. And now today they have an opportunity to take two of three against Toronto, keeping this slow-but-steady upward movement going and leaving themselves in a good place as they prepare for a huge road trip to Atlanta and Philadelphia.
First things first, they need to beat the Blue Jays this afternoon, and they may need to deploy some interesting pitchers along the way. Zack Littell is going to make the start against a right-handed-heavy Toroto lineup, so no opener today. How far Littell goes remains to be seen, but Blake Butera has another option to turn out for long relief if needed: Trevor Williams.
Yes, the veteran right-hander has been activated off the 60-day IL and is available to pitch for the first time in more than a year following elbow surgery. What can Williams reasonably provide? It’s anyone’s guess, but if he’s capable of 2-3 solid innings of relief, that would be a boon to this team.
Butera has some tweaks to his own lineup against Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage. CJ Abrams is the DH today, getting a chance to rest his legs while still using his bat four or five times. Brady House gets to bat third against the righty, which is different from what we’ve seen so far this week. Harry Ford will catch and bat fifth, hoping to help keep this lineup rolling and pull off a fourth straight series win.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Partly cloudy, 84 degrees, wind 15 mph left to right
BLUE JAYS
LF Yohendrick Piñango
RF Nathan Lukes
1B Kazuma Okamoto
DH George Springer
C Alejandro Kirk
CF Daulton Varsho
3B Ernie Clement
SS Andrés Giménez
2B Davis Schneider
RHP Trey Yesavage
NATIONALS
RF James Wood
1B Luis García Jr.
3B Brady House
DH CJ Abrams
C Harry Ford
LF Daylen Lile
CF Jacob Young
2B Jorbit Vivas
SS Nasim Nuñez
RHP Zack Littell
Dylan Crews walk rate this month: 16.5% (15% is ‘elite’). Also, his ground ball rate this month: 34.8%, well below league average (he was 50% or worse previously). The result: pushed his OPS above .700 for the season! Plate discipline (not chasing) and hitting the ball up in the air. It’s working.
Brady gets the start against a right hander, as noted by Mark. Let's see what he does with the opportunity