80 Comments
User's avatar
Bob Loeb's avatar

Without a solid win tonight, I fear a big sell off... So, I worry that we have Mikolas on tap, but fingers crossed.

McMerc7MHDC's avatar

If Mikolas can get through the lineup once, he should be fine.

LEE MCDOWELL's avatar

What about if he gets shelled the SECOND time thru? Are you saying he should come out after one-time thru success? We're gonna need the good Pen tonight to stay with the Bravos for all nine innings.

McMerc7MHDC's avatar

No. What I’m saying is he and Littell are similar in the sense that the first time through the order is the danger zone for them. If they can get past that, they might be able to give you 7 or 8 innings.

So I’m hoping Mikolas both:

A. Doesn’t get rocked.

B. Provides length.

We’ll see soon.

LEE MCDOWELL's avatar

I'd settle for a solid five or maybe even six. First inning will be key.

McMerc7MHDC's avatar

Hoping for a win. 🙏🏾

Chris Hughes's avatar

OMG, I am not an expert but why is Vivas in for what I assume is the Nats' third baseman for the future. I guess analytics, etc. might provide the reason why but if I listen to my eyes, there is no way House should be sitting instead of Vivas.

Let Teddy Win's avatar

Righty starter replaced by a left starter and now you have your wish

GLH aka NatsFan4Ever's avatar

GO NATS! CURLY W TIME!!

DCSportsfan63's avatar

Why the hell is Crews batting 3rd? Because he's right handed ? Don't get it

Darryl Shawgo's avatar

Mikolas pitching and Toboni’s bff Vivas in the lineup? Spending time with the wife tonight.

gonatsgo1's avatar

And once again, no House in the house.

nebco66's avatar

Crazy, right? House is the future. See what he's got. Same reasoning for playing Crews over Young.

nebco66's avatar

Whoops on Young. My bad.

LEE MCDOWELL's avatar

Seems that analytics still rules. And House's recent contact success - against righties - doesn't count. SMH

gonatsgo1's avatar

I wonder if the opener experiment is winding down? Yean was an opener on Monday and I think there's been less use of openers than earlier, i.e., Littell and now Mikolas have starts without an opener. Irvin being back in the rotation probably part of it.

Bill S formerly dclivejazz's avatar

And Williams in the BP tho he probably won’t be available tonight.

Beached56's avatar

What's going on

baserunner, baserunner,

there's far too many of you dying

you know we've got to find a way

to bring some home today

gonatsgo1's avatar

Very late pitching change: Ex-Nat Reynaldo Lopez is no longer listed. LHP Martin Lopez to start.

Mark Zuckerman's avatar

We've got some significant changes for both teams. The Braves scratched Reynaldo Lopez with left knee inflammation, so it'll be lefty Martin Perez starting instead. Which prompted the Nats to overhaul their lineup:

RF James Wood

DH Andrés Chaparro

LF Dylan Crews

SS CJ Abrams

3B Brady House

CF Jacob Young

2B Nasim Nuñez

1B Luis García Jr.

C Keibert Ruiz

Beached56's avatar

I like this lineup better

LEE MCDOWELL's avatar

Nats fare MUCH better vs lefties. Let's get back on track tonight!

Let Teddy Win's avatar

Where's Curtis Mead when you need him?

Anthony's avatar

This right here. I fear trading Curtis sucked some of the wind out of the clubhouse sails. We certainly could have used his bat in many RISP situations since he left.

Let Teddy Win's avatar

Yes, he was possibly the most "clutch" hitter on the team, and they've needed that, and they are facing a lefty, but I WAS just joking. It was a smart trade.

GLH aka NatsFan4Ever's avatar

On the injured list in Boston with a broken bone in his wrist.

Mark Zuckerman's avatar

There was supposed to be rain in the forecast, but it's totally clear and 88 degrees here at Truist Park as the Nats and Braves get underway.

LEE MCDOWELL's avatar

Crews hit it right on the nose, thought maybe it might find a hole out there.

WDCFan's avatar

3 pitches, 2-0 Braves. Great.

Mark Zuckerman's avatar

Yeah, this isn't how the Nats wanted to start this game.