Washington Nationals: Stephen Strasburg Looks To Continue Opening Day Success
By Ricky Keeler
Battle Of The Bullpens/Prediction
With both teams having new pieces in their bullpen, it will be interesting to watch how both Don Mattingly and Dusty Baker use their bullpens today.
Of course, if the Nats are in a save situation, the pressure will be on Blake Treinen to get the job done. You never know how someone will handle the ninth inning for the first time when the spotlight is on, so that should be fun to watch. Against Treinen last year, the Marlins were 8-for-34 with three doubles and four RBI’s.
With Treinen now in the ninth inning, how will Dusty Baker handle the roles in the bullpen? Everything would be easy if Strasburg went seven or eight innings and handed the ball to Treinen. However, if it doesn’t happen that way, then when does Baker use Shawn Kelley, Joe Blanton, or Sammy Solis?
On the other side, the Marlins have probably the most underrated closer in the game in A.J. Ramos. He was 40-for-43 in save chances last year, which includes being a perfect 5-for-5 against the Nats. Over the last three years, he is 10-for-11 in save chances vs. Washington.
Prediction: I expect tomorrow afternoon’s game to be a competitive one. Volquez showed some good things pitching in the World Baseball Classic on Opening Day, so he should keep the Nats offense in check to some degree.
However, Bryce Harper usually puts up big numbers on Opening Day and I would expect that trend to continue. (6-for-15, four home runs).
As for the pitching, Strasburg pitching from the stretch will be something to keep an eye on, but I would expect him to put up some strong Opening Day numbers (six innings, two earned runs).
Next: 5 Takeaways From Grapefruit League
While the bullpen will make this game interesting, the Nats find a way to get the Opening Day win over the Marlins.