There was a lot of injury news for the Washington Nationals before Game 6. And we take a look at the lineup.
A lot of Washington Nationals fans have been sitting on the edge of their seats today waiting on an update of Max Scherzer.
Well, I’m here to tell you that there is good news to report.
Scherzer threw a baseball today and told reporters, “I’m good.”
Max Scherzer just threw in outfield. Told reporters afterward, “I’m good.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 29, 2019
That’s really all I needed to hear.
Later it was reported that Max has been dealing with a broken finger all year, which might be the bigger takeway from this, but more importantly for the time being he will be available out of the bullpen Tuesday night if needed.
And I’m guessing if he’s available to pitch on Tuesday, then hopefully that means he’s available to start Game 7 on Wednesday — if he doesn’t have to pitch in Game 6.
If I had to guess, Scherzer will strictly be used as a bullpen arm in these last two games though.
Even though I know it’s Max, they’re not going to push him too much after being hurt enough not to pitch in Game 5.
Again, I’m guessing, but I think Anibal Sanchez starts a possible Game 7 and goes as far as he can and then Scherzer comes in for as long as he can.
But, we can’t get to a Game 7 unless we win Game 6.
Game 6 Lineup:
Go 1-0 today. #Strasmas // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/UDSILSLVL0
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 29, 2019
While I didn’t see an update on Kurt Suzuki anywhere, he’s obviously still not 100 percent with Yan Gomes in the starting lineup for Game 6.
My guess here is that Suzuki is feeling better but is still just a back-up option at the moment, which is a shame considering the at-bats he had against Justin Verlander in Game 2.
The rest of the lineup is as you would expect. I thought maybe Dave Martinez would shake some things up after only scoring 3 runs in the past 3 games, but now really isn’t the time for that.
He has to trust that this offense, which has been so great for most of the postseason, will come through Tuesday night.
There you have it — it’s time for Game 6! Let’s hope the Nationals aren’t done yet and still have some fight left in them.