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USA Today Sports Images The Nats face the Astros today at Space Coast Stadium. |
Not listed in the lineup below but listed among the relievers scheduled to pitch today is Rafael Soriano. This will be the new closer's first appearance of the spring, his Nats debut delayed both by his late arrival to camp and the fact he told Davey Johnson he only needs 8-to-10 innings of work before Opening Day.
Johnson has a full lineup of regulars out there today, and I suspect the batting order we see here is how it will look on April 1 (with Ryan Zimmerman obviously at third base instead of DH and Kurt Suzuki behind the plate instead of Ramos). He'll be going up today against an old friend and protege, Bo Porter, who brings his new, American League Astros to Viera for the first time. It's going to be a challenging season (or two, or three) for Bo, but it sounds like he's got the full support of ownership, which understands it's embarking on a long-term rebuilding program.
Enjoy the game the conversation...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. HOUSTON ASTROS
Where: Space Coast Stadium, Viera
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: Astros radio via MLB Gameday Audio
Weather: Mostly sunny, 73 degrees, Wind 10 mph in from RF
NATIONALS
CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
LF Bryce Harper
DH Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Wilson Ramos
3B Chad Tracy
(RHP Dan Haren)
ASTROS
SS Tyler Greene
2B Jose Altuve
LF Chris Carter
1B Brett Wallace
CF Justin Maxwell
RF J.D. Martinez
C Carlos Corporan
3B Matt Dominguez
DH Marwin Gonzalez
(RHP Lucas Harrell)
22 comments:
Yes it does seem that Davey's starting a near-regular season lineup is as much a sing of regard for Bo as anything else (helps that the Nats are home of course). Also seems the Astros are starting close to what passes for them as a regular lineup (including an old friend, Justin Maxwell, who it actually looks like will be in the Astros starting outfield.)
Love Bo's attitude......different situation but I think he would have made an excellent replacement for Davey, when that day comes.
As an aside, anyone know of any Nats players who are on instagram? I know Gio is but couldn't find any others.
(Sigh...) no homeboy radio...again...
would have liked to have seen Ankiel start. He seems to be having a good spring for Houston.
UnkyD, these Houston radio guys aren't horrible and they also aren't drunk.
Already made the connection from Justin Maxwell to Washington DC and past US Presidents and they seem to be prepared on some of the Nats bio's.
Glad to hear it, Ghost... Not much chance to listen, anyway...:)
I am happy for Bo, but I wanted him for our future Skipper, too. He made a huge difference in turning our team around. So this is one instance where, if we don't win I won't be unhappy. As long as no one gets hurt.
UnkyD, they did just say Espinosa is expected to have a big year and is healthy for the first time in years and acknowledged he did rehab his shoulder.
They may have mixed up their notes on that one although Danny is certainly primed to step up his game this year.
New post.
First Pitches
http://ladyandthenats.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-importance-of-striking-first.html
Peacock is pitching! Now we need Ank in the game for a true Nats reunion.
If we have a snow day tomorrow, I'm going to do some more work on the first pitch post. A blogger in Detroit did a great analysis that I'd like to use as a model, but I can't figure out where he obtained all the data--plus getting the tables to line up is a b****. Any thoughts on what you all would like to see, put it in the comments.
NL, can you please give that Detroit blogger link also?
thanks.
Nice article btw.
Audio game update, Nats are up 7-1 through 7 innings.
btw, I tuned in after it took place, but Soriano had a 1-2-3 7th. Clippard is on the mound now for the Nats.
Eh, looking at the PBP, Soriano allowed a single, but the runner was then caught stealing.
Clip had a traditional 1-2-3 top of the 8th. :-)
1a -- I noticed that too about Soriano's inning -- which I love, that his motion doesn't give runners enough time to steal. That does also require a good catcher like Zuke to be able to throw them out, but as we all know painfully well, you steal off the pitcher....
For sure on the stealing, Eddie. Hope that this year will be better in that regard.
Game over, Nats win 7-1. Agree with Ghost that the Astros guys are not a horrible listen. Actually, they were lulling me to sleep. :-)
So how'd Haren look?
Unfortunately, I can't even tell you how he sounded, as I didn't tune in the audio until the bottom of the 7th.
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