And so here we go again.
The last time we saw the Nationals On the field playing against another team, his biggest concerns were whether the pitching staff would suffer all the additional innings they pitched during the postseason, if Carter Kieboom deserved to start at third base, how much playing time Ryan Zimmerman would get and if Joe Ross it would win the title 5 spot.
Those aren’t his biggest concerns tonight as they take to the field to face the Phillies in the first of three exhibition games before the delayed and modified 2020 season begins.
Tonight is about two things: 1) Bringing the boys closer to being ready for the game, and 2) Seeing how the extraordinary new health protocols really work when applied to a baseball game between two teams. There are many more questions and concerns about the latter than the former.
From a baseball point of view, Max Scherzer You will need to use this game as a final tune-up for your opening night kickoff against the Yankees. Expect to throw five innings and throw 75 or more pitches. The lineup features a host of familiar names, including Juan Soto (batting cleanup) and Howie Kendrick (batting fifth, serving as DH). Yes include Asdrorbal Cabrera at third base, not Kieboom, which is kind of interesting. Still missing Victor Robles, which has yet to appear in Nationals Park this summer.
That lineup will take on Phillies ace Aaron Nola, a good challenge as they all prepare for Gerrit Cole in five days. And Scherzer and Co. will face Bryce Harper, the host of the Philly lineup. (Will people from the Nationals Park sound system play artificial boos when they come to bat?)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: National Park
Game time: 6:05 pm EDT
TV: None
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 95 degrees, wind 5 mph from right field
NATIONAL
SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
2B Starlin Castro
LF Juan Soto
DH Howie Kendrick
1B Eric Thames
3B Asdrorbal Cabrera
C Kurt Suzuki
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Max Scherzer
PHILLIES
LF Andrew McCutchen
CF Roman Quinn
RF Bryce Harper
1B Rhys Hoskins
SS Didi Gregorius
3B Jean Segura
DH Jay Bruce
2B Scott Kingery
C Andrew Knapp
RHP Aaron Nola
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