District On Deck
FanSided

Nationals World Series: All hands on deck with title on the line in Game 7

By Jake Mastroianni

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 29: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals watches the game in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Nationals Park on September 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 29: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals watches the game in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Nationals Park on September 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: Zack  Greinke #21 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game Three of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Semansky – Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: Zack  Greinke #21 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game Three of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Semansky – Pool/Getty Images) /

Astros Game 7 pitchers

Zack Greinke is the scheduled starter for the Houston Astros in Game 7, but I doubt he’s going to be around for very long.

That’s nothing against Greinke, but A.J. Hinch can’t allow him to work out of jams like he normally would. And Greinke is a pitcher that normally pitches to contact and works with a lot of traffic on the bases.

Even in a game the Astros won in Game 3, Greinke only lasted 4.2 innings after allowing 7 hits and 3 walks. And he had to throw 95 pitches to get those outs.

Here is what I think the strategy will be for the Astros in Game 7.

I think they’re hoping for 4 solid innings from Greinke — twice through the lineup. If they can get 5, even better.

Then I think they use Will Harris, Joe Smith, and Roberto Osuna to get them to the eighth. And then I think we see Gerrit Cole pitch the final two innings.

Another option would be to bring in Jose Urquidy, the Game 4 winner who shutdown the Nationals lineup for 5 innings, if Greinke struggles early.

Those are the only six Astros pitchers you will see in this game — that I can pretty much guarantee you.

Home/Nationals News