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Washington Nationals: Did Nats Reveal their Opening Day Lineup?

By Ross Shinberg

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 13: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals is congratulated by Adam Eaton #2 after hitting a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a spring training baseball game at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 13, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Nationals defeated the Braves 8-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 13: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals is congratulated by Adam Eaton #2 after hitting a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a spring training baseball game at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 13, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Nationals defeated the Braves 8-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Nationals play their first game in less than six days.  On Friday, they may have teased what their Opening Day lineup will be.

The Washington Nationals play their first regular season game on March 28, but yesterday, March 22, manager Davey Martinez may have rolled out his Opening Day lineup.

Max Scherzer started for the Nats yesterday against the Marlins.  Ryan Zimmerman started as the designated hitter.  If we subtract Zimmerman and insert Scherzer into the #9 spot, here is the lineup:

  1. RF Adam Eaton (L)
  2. SS Trea Turner 
  3. LF Juan Soto (L)
  4. 3B Anthony Rendon
  5. 1B Matt Adams (L)
  6. 2B Brian Dozier 
  7. C Yan Gomes
  8. CF Victor Robles
  9. SP Scherzer

There are a few points to note here.  First is the omission of Zimmerman from the lineup.  A few days ago, we made the case for why Zimmerman and Adams should platoon.

Related Story. Zimmerman and Adams Should Platoon. light

Against Jacob deGrom, who held right-handed hitters to a .240 slugging percentage last season, it is worth giving Adams at least a puncher’s chance to get on base.

Secondly, Eaton gets the nod at leadoff over Turner.

According to Jesse Dougherty, Martinez has chosen a leadoff hitter.  Whether it is Eaton or Turner is not yet known.  However, as Dougherty noted, Eaton started at leadoff in the previous two games and started there again today.

In the grand scheme of things, the Nationals season won’t be significantly affected by whether Eaton or Turner hit one and two or two and one.  Both guys will have plenty of opportunities and Eaton hitting first shouldn’t impact Turner’s stolen base number too much.

Gomes also gets the nod over Kurt Suzuki, and that will likely be the theme of the season.  Suzuki will spot start occasionally, likely during Anibal Sanchez’s starts.

To no one’s surprise, Robles gets the start in centerfield.  After Michael A. Taylor’s injury, it all but solidified Robles’ spot in the starting lineup.

No matter how one slices up and dissects the Nationals lineup, it is loaded.  The Nats will have no problem scoring runs this season no matter who is in the lineup and what order they are in.

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However, the lineup Martinez rolled out yesterday looks as good as it can get.

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