The Nationals crashed and burned in the first game of their four game set with the Pirates. However, the great thing about four game series is it allows you to have a clunker. The Nats will look to bounce back tonight. To do so, they will roll with an unusual pitching strategy.
The Nats lineup only has a couple small changes. Brady House is back in the lineup, but he is DH’ing tonight. That means Jorbit Vivas will remain at third. CJ Abrams is moving down from the 3 spot to the 5 hole. Abrams in that 5 spot just gives the lineup so much length. Drew Millas will be behind the plate. The Nats are going to use a few pitchers to try and get through the first six or seven innings. PJ Poulin will open and then a Miles Mikolas and Mitchell Parker tag team will follow him.
For a team that put up 16 runs last night, the Pirates are making quite a few changes. Struggling DH Marcell Ozuna will be back in the lineup. Nick Gonzales will also be in the lineup at the third base spot. Joey Bart will be behind the plate instead of Henry Davis. Mitch Keller is an ultra-reliable righty who is off to a good start this year, and he will get the ball in this one.
Last night was one of those games you just have to flush away. Blowouts happen in baseball, especially when you do not have a great pitching staff. Now it is time to lock back in and even this series. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.