Washington Nationals News: Nats’ rotation finally living up to hype
By Pablo Roa
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Check out some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell discusses the Nationals’ starting rotation. As Boswell notes, the rotation is not only finally back together, but it is also finally living up to the immense expectations that it built up during the offseason.
When the Nationals signed Max Scherzer last winter, the fearsome rotation of Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister was supposed to lead the Nationals to greatness in 2015. Early in the season, however, things didn’t work out that way.
Fister and Strasburg struggled mightily early on and both ended up on the disabled list. Gonzalez was also very inconsistent. Scherzer and Zimmermann were dominant for the most part, but the other-worldly five-man rotation we’d been waiting for never really materialized in the first few months of the season.
More from Nationals News
- A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
- Washington Nationals Re-Sign RHP Erasmo Ramirez
- Washington Nationals Sign RHP Trevor Williams
- Washington Nationals find Success in First Draft Lottery
Now, however, the rotation is back together and in full force. In their first run through the rotation with both Strasburg and Fister back, the Nationals’ rotation set a franchise record with 41 1/3 scoreless innings pitched in a row. It remains to be seen if the rotation can maintain this form, but it looks like the Nationals finally have the rotation they’ve wanted all season long, and it’ll be an enormous asset down the stretch.
Also in today’s Daily, the Post’s James Wagner discusses Trea Turner‘s promotion to Triple-A Syracuse.
Be sure to check out the articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Finally lined up, this Nats rotation makes a specialty of setting ’em down
(Thomas Boswell, Washington Post)
This is what summer at Nationals Park was supposed to be like. It’s not too late. Actually, the Nationals’ season feels like it is just beginning.
The last time Max Scherzer pitched, on Saturday, he threw a no-hitter. Since then Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fisterhave started and allowed no runs in 27 innings. None. That’s the first time all year that the Nats’ projected starting pitchers have been intact for a turn through the rotation.
Coincidence?
The Nats’ scoreless innings streak by their starters, now at 41 1/3 innings, is the longest skein in franchise history and the most by any team in baseball since 2008. It actually extends back to rookie Joe Ross’s stellar game last Friday, when he fanned 11 in a 7 1/3 -inning win. But, horrors, Ross actually gave up one run. Read full article here.
Trea Turner promoted to Class AAA Syracuse
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
After only 10 days at Class AA Harrisburg, Nationals shortstop prospect Trea Turner has been promoted to Class AAA Syracuse, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. His stay at Harrisburg has been brief but he has been impressive.
Turner, 21, was the “player to be named” in the December trade between the Nationals, Rays and Padres. Because of MLB rules that have since changed, Turner couldn’t join the Nationals until June 14. In the 10 games he played with Harrisburg, Turner hit .359 (14 for 39) with a .879 OPS and four stolen bases. Read full article here.