Glass Half Full

Scherzer's inability to keep the ball in the ballpark yesterday cost the Nats again. However, I think the way the lineup looked against Kershaw was encouraging. Yes, Kershaw got the win and the Dodgers took back home field advantage. However, the lineup did rip 8 hits against Kershaw and made him look uncomfortable all game (except the first game). Every game is different but I think a lot of Nationals will be going to the ballpark today confident that they can rough up Rich Hill. Hill's ERA since he was traded to the Dodgers is 1.83, but he averages less than 6 innings a start. Getting into the Dodgers bullpen early yesterday gave the Nats a good look at a lot of the same relievers they'd see today if they can get Hill out of the game early. You can say the same thing about the Dodgers for the Nationals bullpen, but the Nationals only used 2 relievers (Solis and Melancon) while the Dodgers burned through 4.

That being said, today is a must-win. Historically, going down 2-0 is a death sentence, barring a historic bat flip in game 5. The Nationals dug themselves into an early 4-0 hole yesterday and nearly crawled out of it so Roark knows he has to fire some zeros at the start of the game to give the offense a chance. It's the playoffs so anything can happen but I expect a lower scoring game than yesterday.

Some other notes:

Pedro Severino is auditioning for the starting job this postseason. Yesterday, he went 1-3 with a laser double off the wall. If he can continue that type of production during a deep postseason run, he can convince the Nats management that he's ready to be the full-time starter. Otherwise, I think they turn to Wieters in free agency. He had an off year so he'll be cheaper than expected and he's had a track record of success despite a few injuries (but pretty much every catcher in baseball these days has that problem).

Danny Espinosa has to go. I've been saying this for years and it still holds true. Yes he has a slick glove but he's a career .226 hitter and strikes out more than once every 4 at-bats. He's got a little bit of pop but he's very streaky to the point where he can have 2 good weeks a year surrounded by an entire season of strikeouts. Traditionally, a shortstop's primary job is to field well and any offensive production you get out of that position is a bonus. In this day and age however, that's not true anymore. Ask Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Addison Russell, Carlos Correa and so many more players about that. The game has evolved and now shortstops are expected to provide solid defense and solid offensive production, just like every other position. There's too many good shortstops out there for the Nats to continue allowing a black hole appear in their lineup. Personally I'd love to see them snag Desmond and play Turner at SS and Desmond at CF (or vice versa, both their defenses are equivalent in both positions in my opinion).

Some quick notes from other games. The Rangers are obviously in deep trouble. But don't forget that the Blue Jays lost their first two games in the same series at home last year only to rip off 3 straight wins and bat-flip their way into the ALCS. I'm not saying this will happen again but the history makes it interesting. The Indians have been blowing away the Red Sox in every facet of the game. They look like a team hungry to finally deliver a WS to their starving fan base. The Cubs started out strong against the Giants and I'm hoping they continue that so this even year nonsense can stop. Seriously Giants, you've had your share of rings for one generation. Let another fan base enjoy some success.

Have to win today. Make it happen Roark.