Washington Nationals Series Preview: Nationals vs. Marlins (5/4-5/6)
May 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA;Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Max Scherzer
(31) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday: Max Scherzer (1-3, 1.26 ERA) vs. Tom Koehler (2-2, 4.67 ERA), 1:05 pm EST, MASN and MLB Network
Max Scherzer must be cursing the day he agreed to come to the Washington Nationals, at least so far. He has one of the lowest ERA’s in the NL for a starter, and has a 1-3 record to show for it. In his last game pitched against the Mets, he gave up one run and took the loss. The Nats could not plate anything against Matt Harvey or the Mets bullpen. It was a great pitcher’s duel, but Scherzer came out on the wrong end of the stick.
This game is shaping up to be a similar pitching duel, not because Miami starter Tom Koehler is that good, but because the Nats are that bad against him.
The Nationals had to deal with Tom Koehler during their road trip to Miami and it did not go well for the guys wearing the curly W. Koehler went 7.1 innings, and gave up no runs on six hits. The Nationals could not drive in a run during that game against Koehler or the Marlins bullpen. Koehler chewed the Nats up and spit them out. Strasburg gave up four runs, the Nats bullpen gave up four runs, and the road trip went from bad to worse.
Koehler did not go long in his last start against the Mets. He lasted five innings, gave up three runs and did not figure in the decision in a Miami victory. He should be fresh for his start against the Nationals.
Since the Nats just saw Koehler, will the Nationals hitters be able to figure out how he was so effective against them and make the adjustments at the plate? History suggests that Scherzer will not give up many runs, so the Nats have to figure out how to score a few runs against Koehler this time around.
If the Nats can score a couple of runs, it should be enough for Scherzer to get the win. If the Nationals continue to give Scherzer no run support, this one may go to Miami.