Preview And Lineups: Spring Training Game 7 | Washington Nationals @ Atlanta Braves
By Jared Book
For the second consecutive night, there is baseball which is a nice change from afternoon games every day. Sure, it starts at 6:05 instead of the normal hour later but I prefer that than getting home and having the game already over (except for the regular season – regular season day baseball is always awesome.)
February 15, 2013; Viera, FL, USA; Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson (right) watches starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (left) throw during spring training at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Zimmermann makes his second start of the spring against another division rival. Thankfully tomorrow the Nationals play St. Louis – a team outside of the division for the first time all spring.
Scheduled to come in after Zimmermann is Ross Ohlendorf, Jeremy Accardo, Francisco Abad, Tyler Clippard (making his Spring debut) and Cole Kimball. A typical road game in Spring Training as the Nationals are getting a look at bubble guys who are probably fighting for roster spots in Triple A or showing off for other teams (with the obvious exceptions of Zimmermann and Clippard.) All pitchers have some Major League experience.
As for the lineups, more looks at bubble guys with a sprinkle of Danny Espinosa and Bryce Harper. Harper is batting third, which is something interesting until you realize Espinosa is leading off and Steve Lombardozzi is batting second. Not exactly a normal lineup.
Julio Teheran will be getting the start for the Atlanta Braves. Teheran is one of the Braves top pitching prospects but hasn’t made “the” jump yet into success at the big league level. Given Atlanta’s rotation depth, especially after the Justin Upton trade, Teheran will be expected to make that jump given Atlanta’s lofty goal of making it farther than they did in last year’s post-season.
Offensively, the Braves are going with the same lineup they did in their first meeting with the Nationals that they won 9-5.
Washington Nationals (1-3)
Danny Espinosa (S) SS
Steve Lombardozzi (S) 2B
Bryce Harper (L) CF
Tyler Moore (R) DH
Chad Tracy (L) 3B
Chris Marrero (R) 1B
Corey Brown (L) LF
Sandy Leon (S) C
Eury Perez (R) RF
Jordan Zimmermann P
Atlanta Braves (3-4)