The Nationals gutted out a 4-2 victory Wednesday night in Atlanta, thanks to 8 2/3 innings from six relievers who were thrust into overtime duties after Sean Nolin was ejected eight pitches in for throwing at Freddie Freeman. Where does that leave them for tonight's series finale at Truist Park?
Well, first and foremost, they need innings from Erick Fedde. That's a big ask for a guy who needed 80 pitches just to get through three innings against the Mets last weekend. Not to mention a big ask for a guy who in three starts against the Braves this season has averaged fewer than four innings while giving up at least five runs each time.
So the odds are stacked against Fedde. Which means manager Davey Martinez is going to have to turn to his bullpen at some point, possibly sooner than he'd like. And with several relievers likely unavailable after all the work they put in Wednesday, the Nationals will have both Josh Rogers and Nolin available if needed. That, in turn, would impact this weekend's rotation plans in Pittsburgh.
At the plate, the Nats will hope to do some damage against Huascar Ynoa, who has enjoyed all kinds of success against them this season. In two starts (both coming in April and May), the right-hander has tossed 12 innings without allowing an earned run. You may recall he also clubbed a grand slam off Tanner Rainey.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Truist Park
Gametime: 7:20 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly clear, 75 degrees, wind 11 mph out to center field
NATIONALS
CF Lane Thomas
SS Alcides Escobar
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
LF Yadiel Hernandez
3B Carter Kieboom
C Keibert Ruiz
2B Luis GarcÃa
RHP Erick Fedde
BRAVES
2B Ozzie Albies
RF Jorge Soler
1B Freddie Freeman
3B Austin Riley
LF Adam Duvall
CF Joc Pederson
SS Dansby Swanson
C Stephen Vogt
RHP Huascar Ynoa