We take a look at the Washington Nationals Game 7 World Series lineup and give a couple of keys for winning.
The Washington Nationals and Houston Astros will square off on Wednesday night in the most dramatic way in sports … a World Series Game 7.
There is no question that a World Series Game 7 is one of the most exciting things in all of sports.
Whatever happens on Wednesday night, there will be a moment in the game that will live on forever in baseball history.
Just think of some the Game 7s over the past decade.
There was the Rajai Davis home run in the 2016 World Series off Aroldis Champan. And while the Cleveland Indians didn’t even go on to win that game, that’s still one of the more exciting Game 7 moments in history.
In 2014 it was Madison Bumgarner putting on his cape and tossing 5 shutout innings in relief to lead the San Francisco Giants to a championship.
In 2011 we moreso remember the David Freese home runs in Game 6, but that led to a pretty dramatic Game 7.
And the Houston Astros themselves played a Game 7 in the World Series two years ago when they won it all.
So who is going to have that moment in this game?
Game 7 Lineup:
GUESS. WHAT. DAY. IT. IS.#Scherzday // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/bIrpXoJNbA
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 30, 2019
Max Scherzer is in the starting lineup and scheduled to pitch, so that’s good news.
But also, Kurt Suzuki is in there and will catch for the Nationals in Game 7.
UPDATE: Suzuki was scratched from the starting lineup and Yan Gomes will start in his spot.
Dave Martinez on Kurt Suzuki: He thought I’d be safer to bring Suzuki off the bench and not risk having to pull him a few innings into the game.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) October 30, 2019
Pretty ironic that the battery for the Nationals has been dealing with an injury in the World Series.
How storybook ending would it be for them to come back and lead the Nationals to a World Series championship?
No other surprises in the lineup.
Keys to winning
I really think this game will be decided by the bullpens as I’d be shocked if either starter lasted more than 5 innings.
There have been 11 first-inning runs scored in this World Series. And it will be of the utmost importance to set the tone early.
If the Nationals can jump on Greinke early and take a lead, it may force A.J. Hinch to go to his bullpen before he wants and throw their gameplan out of wack.
I know that sounds simplistic, but that’s really the biggest key in this game.
We know that several arms will be used out of the bullpen in this game, but whichever team can force the opposing starter to an even earlier exit will have a huge advantage.
Scherzer just needs to avoid the long ball. He’s only given up 3 home runs in 25 postseason innings (two in the Wild Card game).
He’ll most definitely be dealing with some traffic in this game, but as long as he keeps the Astros hitters in the park, he’ll be fine.
But enough talk, it’s time for some action! Game 7 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros starts at 8:07 p.m. ET on FOX.