Nats Drum Astros, 5-3; Shifting Gears

The Nats rallied for three with two out in the 5th and held on for a 5-3 win over the Astros.

There were no watchlisters in the starting lineup and, as usual, no watchlist pitchers appeared in the game. Here’s how “our guys” did coming off the bench…

• Trey Lipscomb subbed for CJ Abrams at shortstop in the top of the 7th, where he had one assist, struck out in the bottom of the 7th, then shifted over to 2B in the 8th for the rest of the game.
• James Wood replaced Eddie Rosario in CF in the 7th and doubled in his lone plate appearance.
• Dylan Crews followed Lane Thomas in RF in the 7th and flew out in his only at-bat.
• Brady House took over 3B from Nick Senzel in the 7th and grounded out in the 8th.
• Drew Millas was the second backstop and caught the last three innings but did not bat.

The win was Washington’s fourth straight, improving the Nats to 11-8.

Today is the Spring Breakout—somehow not sponsored by ProActiv—with the Nats watchlisters playing their Mets counterparts in the afternoon (3:10pm) for what appears to be a seven-inning game. The major-leaguers will then play at 6:10pm, with Trevor Williams expected to start for Washington.

The Breakout game can be seen on MLB’s Digital Outlets (MLB.tv, MLB Audio). The night game will be broadcast on MASN and 106.7FM, enabling tech-savvy users to try to sync the video and audio feeds for the optimum experience.

Every year this decade has been just a little bit different than the one prior, but when the starting pitchers starting going five innings and none of our guys start, then it’s probably time to dial back. Plus, I think 19 games is about the right amount to get the muscle memory back (such as it is in my 50’s), sharpen the snark, shake off the rust, and make fun of the Woo’s (not John; love his movies).

Two weeks from today, the Red Wings will visit their I-90 rivals in Syracuse, with AAA now playing only about 12 fewer games than the majors. A week later, the Sens, Blue Rocks, and FredNats each open at home.

As good a spring as Mr. Wood is having, I’d put more money on Darren Baker making the Opening Day lineup than him, if only because Luis García Jr. seems to think his only job is to hit and not play defense or run the bases. I’m not sure of Jacob Young doing the same really qualifies as newsworthy, given that he closed out 2023 as the 4th OF. Like Justin Maxwell in the late ’00s, he’s just barely a rookie.

And let’s face it: if neither Bryce Harper nor Stephen Strasburg made the OD roster, methinks Mr. Rizzo is not suddenly going to change his ways with James Wood.