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Washington Nationals: Storylines to watch in Game 1 of NLDS

By Ricky Keeler

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 30: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the third inning during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on August 30, 2017 in Washington,DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 30: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the third inning during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on August 30, 2017 in Washington,DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Keep Bryant and Rizzo from doing damage

When you look at the Cubs lineup, two of the names that the Nats will be circling on their scouting reports will be Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. Bryant and Rizzo have the potential to wreak havoc on any opposing pitcher, but the Nats kept them fairly in check this season.

Out of the 47 combined at-bats, the two of them had 12 hits, but only five of them went for extra-base hits and Rizzo hit the lone home run between the two. As for how they did against Strasburg, Bryant was 2-for-3 with a double while Rizzo struck out twice in three at-bats.

Bryant was able to get on-base consistently down the stretch for the Cubs offense. He had a .413 OBP and walked 14 times over the final 25 games. He had a big postseason a year ago as his 20 hits were the most on the team during their World Series run.

The only player who walked more times than Bryant on the Cubs in September was Rizzo (16). While he only had one home run in September, his 53 RBI’s after the break were the most of any player in the Cubs lineup.

Now, Maddon has many versatile options hew can put in his lineup, but Bryant and Rizzo are going to be two of the main hitters, so Strasburg has to do a good job in navigating that part of the lineup. Otherwise, he could be in for a long night when you consider Willson Contreras in the middle of the order hit five home runs against the Nats this year.

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