Washington Nationals: Tanner Roark Faces Biggest Career Test
By Ron Juckett
Down a game, the Washington Nationals hope to bounce back against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of their NL Divisional Series.
Washington Nationals fans, time to take a deep breath.
Yes, they are down one game in their best-of-five tussle against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Divisional Series. The Nats had Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw on the ropes and uncomfortable several times in his five innings. The bullpen shut Washington down, holding the Nationals to one hit over the last four innings.
Saturday is another day and Tanner Roark gets the call for Washington against the blister-challenged Rich Hill for Los Angeles. For the Nats, the season rides on this one. They must win or hope for an epic Dodger collapse Monday and Tuesday in Los Angeles. You cannot go two down in a best-of-five at home and survive. It is that simple.
There were good signs in Game 1. Daniel Murphy drew a couple hits and a walk. His rear felt well enough to try to steal a base. Ryan Zimmerman made hard, solid contact. Even his outs were stung hard. Bryce Harper did a better job protecting the plate.
The margin in a playoff game is small. Murphy’s caught stealing killed one rally. Danny Espinosa stranded six base runners by looking horrible at the plate. Scherzer hanging two pitches that left the yard. Those things happen. Put together, and the Nationals are in a hole.
As we await Game 2, here are three things to watch for as the Washington Nationals hope to even the series as they fly across country for Monday’s Game 3.