If Thursday night’s shutout loss at Texas wasn’t tough enough, the Nationals then had to board a post-midnight flight to Miami for tonight’s game against the Marlins. Suffice it to say, this team is tired – both physically and mentally – as it prepares to open the weekend series.
As expected, CJ Abrams is again not in the lineup, still dealing with a sprained left ankle. Blake Butera was hopeful Abrams will be able to return to action Saturday, but that remains to be seen. It’ll be up to his remaining healthy teammates to find a way to string together some rallies after getting shut out twice in three nights by the Rangers, capped off by Thursday’s 1-hit showing.
The Nats got a strong pitching effort in Texas, both from Andrew Alvarez and the bullpen. They’ll need both again tonight, because Brad Lord is not stretched out yet enough to take on a full starter’s workload. The right-hander really struggled last time out in New York, failing to make it out of the first inning. He’s simply got to be better tonight and provide at least three innings. The safe bet would involve left-hander Will Dion taking out for long relief whenever Lord is finished.
I flew back home this morning, so I won’t be covering the series in Miami this weekend. I’ll try to chime in if anything of consequence develops (on or off the field) ...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MIAMI MARLINS
Where: loanDepot Park
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Indoors
NATIONALS
LF Daylen Lile
2B Jorbit Vivas
DH Andrés Chaparro
1B Abimelec Ortiz
3B Brady House
C Keibert Ruiz
RF Dylan Crews
SS Nasim Nuñez
CF Jacob Young
RHP Brad Lord
MARLINS
CF Jacob Marsee
RF Owen Caissie
1B Griffin Conine
2B Xavier Edwards
SS Otto Lopez
LF Heriberto Hernández
C Joe Mack
DH Agustín Ramírez
3B Leo Jiménez
RHP Ryan Gusto
Well that's quite a different lineup than we're used to seeing. More of a traditional one, with Chaparro-Ortiz-House in the heart of the order. Let's see if it works.
Staying positive and optimistic, and not feeding the trolls. 😎
Rooting for another loss today to effectuate "regime change" .. I know a lot of you guys (and gals) are secretly hoping for Nats to lose from here on out... I am just doing it openly, and somewhat shamelessly. You can cuss me out.. Go right ahead..