Game Thread: Nats vs. Cardinals in Jupiter
Miles Mikolas starts this afternoon against his former team, with a few regulars playing some notable positions behind him
The final week of spring training has arrived. One week from today, the Nationals will be playing not in sunny, warm Florida, but at (hopefully not too cold or wet) Camden Yards for the first half of their home-and-home exhibition series against the Orioles. In other words, time is running out for guys to make their cases for roster spots and for club officials to make their final decisions.
Today’s lineup, then, is notable for a few reasons. James Wood is once again in right field, further confirmation the Nats are seriously considering moving him to that corner position after spending his entire major-league career to date in left field. Luis García Jr. is once again at first base, further confirmation the Nats are planning to play him there regularly this season. And for the first time, Dylan Crews is in left field instead of center or right. The takeaway there: If Wood winds up in right, and if Jacob Young is in center, Crews would get bumped to left.
Speaking of Young, he still hasn’t returned from the wrist injury that has now kept him out of all but one Grapefruit League game. He has been swinging a bat in recent days, but you would think he’s going to have to get into games within the next couple days to have a realistic shot of making the Opening Day roster.
Meanwhile, Miles Mikolas gets the ball today against his former team. The veteran right-hander, who was a two-time All-Star with the Cardinals, should be able to build up to four innings this afternoon in Jupiter, provided he maintains a decent pitch count.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Where: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: None
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 81 degrees, wind 17 mph out to left
NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF James Wood
C Keibert Ruiz
DH Daylen Lile
1B Luis García Jr.
LF Dylan Crews
3B Brady House
2B Nasim Nuñez
CF Joey Wiemer
RHP Miles Mikolas
CARDINALS
2B JJ Wetherholt
SS Masyn Winn
1B Alec Burleson
DH Nolan Gorman
LF Nelson Velázquez
3B José Fermin
RF Nathan Church
C Pedro Pagés
CF Victor Scott II
LHP Matthew Liberatore RHP Richard Fitts
UPDATE: It’ll actually be right-hander Richard Fitts on the mound for the Cardinals, with Liberatore instead pitching in a minor-league game.
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Weimer 3-run jack! All tied at 3.