Nats FF ML
There is some respectability on the line this afternoon for the Washington
Nationals as they go for the trifecta today with a win against the Cubs. If the Nationals win they would match their longest winning streak this season at 6-games while also grabbing a share of 2nd Place in the NL East standings plus the winner of today’s game would win the season series 4-3 between the Nats and Cubs. This is a rescheduled game today from Sunday’s rain postponement. There is some real pressure on the Cubs today as they hold the narrowest of leads in the NL Central with only a 1.0 game lead over the Brewers. The Cubs lost last night in Wrigley to the Brewers and had to fly in to D.C. for this makeup game. The Nats had a scheduled day-off today on the road in Atlanta. The Cubs had a scheduled day-off at home before their series this weekend with the Reds.
On the original line-up card for Sunday prior to the rain-out,
Dave Martinez had penciled in
Victor Robles to lead-off and play centerfield with
Adam Eatongetting a day-off against the lefty starter
Mike Montgomery who once again is scheduled to pitch today.
The Nationals are starting
Joe Ross today. They could have started
Max Scherzeron regular rest, but Mad Max went for a complete game against these Cubs in Saturday’s doubleheader and labored through the 9th inning finishing with 111-pitches. It seemed prudent to give Scherzer the extra day of rest and he will pitch tomorrow in Atlanta. Ross, technically is making his 2018 debut as his stats were washed-out when his Friday start was rained out after 1 2/3 innings. He looked brilliant in that brief outing.
