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WASHINGTON ( COLE )
ATLANTA ( TEHERAN ) |
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| 901 | WASHINGTON | +110 | Ov 7,-120 | +100 | Ov 7,-120 | | 902 | ATLANTA | -120 | Un 7,+100 | -110 | Un 7,+100 |
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| All Games | 7-13 | -9.4 | 11-8 | 3.4 | 0.215 | 0.285 | 0.346 | 0.632 | 4.4 | 0.272 | 0.324 | 0.378 | 0.703 | | Road Games | 2-8 | -7.6 | 6-3 | 3.6 | 0.209 | 0.278 | 0.343 | 0.621 | 5.7 | 0.315 | 0.363 | 0.449 | 0.812 | | vs Right-handed Starters | 5-11 | -9 | 8-7 | 3.0 | 0.213 | 0.276 | 0.324 | 0.599 | 4.4 | 0.272 | 0.323 | 0.370 | 0.693 | | Past 7 Games | 1-6 | -6.4 | 4-3 | 2.3 | 0.196 | 0.270 | 0.280 | 0.550 | 5.3 | 0.335 | 0.381 | 0.475 | 0.856 | | Grass Games | 7-13 | -9.4 | 11-8 | 3.4 | 0.215 | 0.285 | 0.346 | 0.632 | 4.4 | 0.272 | 0.324 | 0.378 | 0.703 | | Night Games | 4-6 | -3.2 | 5-5 | 3.7 | 0.222 | 0.295 | 0.362 | 0.656 | 3.9 | 0.279 | 0.326 | 0.375 | 0.701 | | Division | 5-9 | -7.2 | 7-6 | 2.9 | 0.208 | 0.276 | 0.326 | 0.602 | 3.9 | 0.262 | 0.312 | 0.348 | 0.660 |
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| All Games | 3.4 | 0.215 | 0.285 | 20 | 664 | 143 | 31 | 4 | 16 | 0.346 | 66 | 65 | 166 | 3 | 137 | 9 | 22 | 21 | 13 | | Road Games | 3.6 | 0.209 | 0.278 | 10 | 335 | 70 | 13 | 4 | 8 | 0.343 | 34 | 32 | 79 | 3 | 65 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 7 | | Righty Starters | 3.0 | 0.213 | 0.276 | 16 | 531 | 113 | 22 | 2 | 11 | 0.324 | 46 | 46 | 137 | 2 | 110 | 7 | 15 | 19 | 12 |
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| All Games | 3.33 | 1.352 | 54 | 25 | 20 | 56 | 5 | 17 | 53 | 2-4 | 4 | 5 | 44.4% | | Road Games | 3.99 | 1.466 | 29.3 | 18 | 13 | 32 | 4 | 11 | 30 | 1-3 | 1 | 4 | 20% |
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| All Games | 10-9 | +2.8 | 12-7 | 4.1 | 0.246 | 0.313 | 0.387 | 0.701 | 3.8 | 0.235 | 0.319 | 0.361 | 0.680 | | Home Games | 4-3 | +1.1 | 6-1 | 4.0 | 0.250 | 0.303 | 0.429 | 0.731 | 4.3 | 0.229 | 0.325 | 0.358 | 0.683 | | vs Right-handed Starters | 8-8 | +1.2 | 10-6 | 4.1 | 0.249 | 0.312 | 0.395 | 0.707 | 3.7 | 0.236 | 0.320 | 0.370 | 0.690 | | Past 7 Games | 2-5 | -3 | 4-3 | 3.3 | 0.247 | 0.314 | 0.354 | 0.669 | 4.0 | 0.221 | 0.317 | 0.319 | 0.636 | | Grass Games | 8-8 | +0.8 | 10-6 | 3.7 | 0.241 | 0.304 | 0.373 | 0.677 | 3.6 | 0.224 | 0.313 | 0.321 | 0.634 | | Night Games | 8-4 | +5 | 7-5 | 4.4 | 0.262 | 0.337 | 0.406 | 0.743 | 3.5 | 0.222 | 0.302 | 0.339 | 0.642 | | Division | 8-8 | +0.8 | 10-6 | 3.7 | 0.241 | 0.304 | 0.373 | 0.677 | 3.6 | 0.224 | 0.313 | 0.321 | 0.634 |
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| All Games | 4.1 | 0.246 | 0.313 | 19 | 622 | 153 | 29 | 4 | 17 | 0.387 | 74 | 61 | 124 | 9 | 120 | 20 | 12 | 23 | 11 | | Home Games | 4.0 | 0.250 | 0.303 | 7 | 224 | 56 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 0.429 | 26 | 17 | 47 | 6 | 44 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 6 | | Righty Starters | 4.1 | 0.249 | 0.312 | 16 | 526 | 131 | 24 | 4 | 15 | 0.395 | 65 | 48 | 104 | 7 | 96 | 17 | 10 | 18 | 10 |
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| All Games | 3.08 | 1.150 | 64.3 | 24 | 22 | 44 | 5 | 30 | 60 | 3-4 | 8 | 2 | 80% | | Home Games | 3.37 | 1.087 | 26.7 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 1 | 13 | 28 | 1-1 | 3 | 0 | 100% |
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| 4/14/2015 | STRASBURG(R) | @ BOSTON | MASTERSON(R) | 7-8 | L | 115 | 8 ov | O | 10 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 1 | | 4/15/2015 | GONZALEZ(L) | @ BOSTON | MILEY(L) | 10-5 | W | 110 | 9 ov | O | 12 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 0 | | 4/16/2015 | FISTER(R) | PHILADELPHIA | HAMELS(L) | 5-2 | W | -135 | 6.5 un | O | 6 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 0 | | 4/17/2015 | SCHERZER(R) | PHILADELPHIA | O'SULLIVAN(R) | 7-2 | W | -250 | 7 ev | O | 10 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 2 | | 4/18/2015 | ZIMMERMANN(R) | PHILADELPHIA | HARANG(R) | 3-5 | L | -170 | 7 ov | O | 9 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 0 | | 4/19/2015 | STRASBURG(R) | PHILADELPHIA | BUCHANAN(R) | 4-1 | W | -230 | 7.5 un | U | 9 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 1 | | 4/21/2015 | GONZALEZ(L) | ST LOUIS | LYNN(R) | 2-1 | W | -115 | 7 un | U | 8 | 11 | 1 | 13 | 13 | 2 | | 4/22/2015 | FISTER(R) | ST LOUIS | LACKEY(R) | 5-7 | L | +100 | 7 ov | O | 8 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 2 | | 4/23/2015 | SCHERZER(R) | ST LOUIS | WACHA(R) | 1-4 | L | -130 | 6.5 un | U | 6 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 1 | | 4/24/2015 | ZIMMERMANN(R) | @ MIAMI | LATOS(R) | 2-3 | L | -120 | 7.5 un | U | 6 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 0 | | 4/25/2015 | STRASBURG(R) | @ MIAMI | KOEHLER(R) | 0-8 | L | -140 | 7.5 un | O | 7 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 0 | | 4/26/2015 | GONZALEZ(L) | @ MIAMI | HAREN(R) | 2-6 | L | -115 | 7.5 ev | O | 4 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 0 | | 4/27/2015 | FISTER(R) | @ ATLANTA | STULTS(L) | 4-8 | L | -135 | 7 ev | O | 5 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 8 | 2 | | 4/28/2015 | COLE(R) | @ ATLANTA | TEHERAN(R) | | | 4/29/2015 | ZIMMERMANN(R) | @ ATLANTA | WOOD(L) | | | 4/30/2015 | STRASBURG(R) | @ NY METS | DEGROM(R) | | | 5/1/2015 | GONZALEZ(L) | @ NY METS | HARVEY(R) | | | 5/2/2015 | FISTER(R) | @ NY METS | NIESE(L) | | | 5/3/2015 | | @ NY METS | GEE(R) | | | 5/4/2015 | ZIMMERMANN(R) | MIAMI | PHELPS(R) | | | 5/5/2015 | | MIAMI | | |
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| 4/14/2015 | CAHILL(R) | MIAMI | KOEHLER(R) | 2-8 | L | +105 | 7.5 un | O | 8 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 9 | 1 | | 4/15/2015 | STULTS(L) | MIAMI | HAREN(R) | 2-6 | L | +120 | 7.5 un | O | 3 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | | 4/17/2015 | TEHERAN(R) | @ TORONTO | HUTCHISON(R) | 8-7 | W | 145 | 7.5 ov | O | 12 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 1 | | 4/18/2015 | WOOD(L) | @ TORONTO | DICKEY(R) | 5-6 | L | 160 | 8 ov | O | 9 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 0 | | 4/19/2015 | MILLER(R) | @ TORONTO | NORRIS(L) | 5-2 | W | 160 | 8.5 ov | U | 8 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 1 | | 4/21/2015 | CAHILL(R) | @ NY METS | NIESE(L) | 1-7 | L | 135 | 7 ov | O | 5 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 1 | | 4/22/2015 | STULTS(L) | @ NY METS | GEE(R) | 2-3 | L | 120 | 7.5 un | U | 8 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | | 4/23/2015 | TEHERAN(R) | @ NY METS | COLON(R) | 3-6 | L | 115 | 7 un | O | 8 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | | 4/24/2015 | WOOD(L) | @ PHILADELPHIA | HARANG(R) | 0-1 | L | -120 | 7 un | U | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 0 | | 4/25/2015 | MILLER(R) | @ PHILADELPHIA | BUCHANAN(R) | 5-2 | W | -115 | 7.5 un | U | 9 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | | 4/26/2015 | CAHILL(R) | @ PHILADELPHIA | WILLIAMS(R) | 4-5 | L | -105 | 7.5 ov | O | 10 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | | 4/27/2015 | STULTS(L) | WASHINGTON | FISTER(R) | 8-4 | W | +125 | 7 ev | O | 13 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 4 | | 4/28/2015 | TEHERAN(R) | WASHINGTON | COLE(R) | | | 4/29/2015 | WOOD(L) | WASHINGTON | ZIMMERMANN(R) | | | 4/30/2015 | MILLER(R) | CINCINNATI | | | | 5/1/2015 | CAHILL(R) | CINCINNATI | DESCLAFANI(R) | | | 5/2/2015 | STULTS(L) | CINCINNATI | MARQUIS(R) | | | 5/3/2015 | TEHERAN(R) | CINCINNATI | CUETO(R) | | | 5/4/2015 | WOOD(L) | PHILADELPHIA | HARANG(R) | | | 5/5/2015 | | PHILADELPHIA | | |
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| |  | WASHINGTON: WASHINGTON (AP) - Bryce Harper's reaction to the news that the Washington Nationals added Max Scherzer to an already-talented starting staff drew quite a lot of attention.
''I just started laughing,'' Harper famously said. ''I was like, `Where's my ring?'''
Yes, that pretty much sums up where the expectations are for the 2015 Nationals - as expressed by them and by others.
On the first day of full-squad workouts at spring training, reigning NL Manager of the Year Matt Williams posted these words of wisdom in the clubhouse: ''The road to the World Series begins today.''
''We're here to get to that ultimate goal,'' Williams said. ''We're not alone. There's 29 other teams that have the same thought. So that being said, I want to make sure that we understand that that's our goal. That is our goal: to be the last one standing at the end of it.''
The main reason many folks think the Nationals are capable of achieving that goal, even if the team has yet to win a playoff series, is the rotation.
Scherzer, the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner with Detroit, came aboard with a $210 million contract, joining a group that led the majors in ERA last season - right-handers Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister, and lefty Gio Gonzalez.
''There's no break'' for an opposing team, new reliever Casey Janssen observed.
It's such a formidable quintet that a guy who won 15 games, had a sub-3.00 ERA and threw nearly 200 innings a year ago, Tanner Roark, is moving to the bullpen.
In 2014, the Nationals won a league-best 96 games and finished atop the underwhelming NL East by a whopping 17 games, but then bowed out in four games in a Division Series against the eventual champs, the San Francisco Giants. Washington's starting pitching wasn't the problem in the postseason; its bullpen and hitting were what led to a second quick playoff exit in three years.
And yet general manager Mike Rizzo allowed those two areas to lose important pieces, trading away the man he called ''maybe the best eighth-inning setup man in the history of the game,'' Tyler Clippard, and letting first baseman Adam LaRoche (team highs of 26 homers, 92 RBIs) leave via free agency.
The hope, presumably, is that hitters such as Harper, Ryan Zimmerman (who replaces LaRoche at first) and Wilson Ramos, who each missed significant chunks of last season, will deliver the numbers they're capable of producing, while opponents have a really hard time scoring much against all the aces Williams will send to the mound.
''It's hilarious having to go in there and face them. It's absolutely stupid,'' Harper said. ''We have the best staff in baseball. I don't care what anybody says.''
Actually, Bryce, that's exactly what pretty much everybody IS saying.
Here are other things to know about the Nationals, who open the season on April 6 at home against the New York Mets:
HEALTH MATTERS: Half of the everyday lineup - outfielders Jayson Werth and Denard Span (both recovering from offseason surgery), third baseman Anthony Rendon and new second baseman Yunel Escobar - missed extended periods of spring training, as did fourth outfielder Nate McClouth. Rendon, Span, Werth and McClouth might all miss opening day. ''You can be as good as you want on paper, but that doesn't mean anything until the end of the year,'' Scherzer said. ''We've got to stay healthy.''
MIGHTY `PEN?: Given their aspirations, October is what really matters for the Nationals, and Drew Storen blew save chances in the 2012 and 2014 playoffs. Still, the closer's job is his entering the season, and Clippard is no longer around to shut down foes in the eighth - or provide ninth-inning backup if needed. Worth watching: Will Aaron Barrett set aside the yips that hit him in the NLDS?
LAST HURRAH: A couple of homegrown franchise cornerstones, Zimmermann and shortstop Ian Desmond, can become free agents after the season, as can Span and Fister. Rizzo could try to sign one or more to long-term deals. He could trade one or more. Or he could decide to let things play out with this group, then move on next offseason. ''With this group of guys,'' Werth said, ''this might be it.'' | | ATLANTA: ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Braves usually start the season touted as playoff contenders.
Not this time.
For one of the few times in the last two-plus decades, not much is expected of a team that collapsed late last season, fired general manager Frank Wren and underwent a massive overhaul during the offseason.
The Braves dealt away sluggers Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis, receiving only one player (starting pitcher Shelby Miller) who is likely to make a significant impact right away. Mostly, the team was focused on restocking a once-mighty farm system that fell on hard times during Wren's regime.
The message was clear: The Braves are rebuilding under new GM John Hart, with an eye toward the 2017 opening of the team's new suburban stadium.
''It's kind of on us to just put our heads down and work hard and try to win as many games as we can with the team we've got,'' third baseman Chris Johnson said. ''We can't look back. We can't look at who's gone.''
The Braves are likely to remain one of the most offensively challenged teams in baseball, but the pitching staff at least looks promising. The 24-year-old Miller had 25 wins for St. Louis over the last two season and joins a rotation that already includes two more 24-year-olds: All-Star Julio Teheran (14-13, 2.89) and left-hander Alex Wood (11-11, 2.78). If lefty Mike Minor, only 27, can bounce back from shoulder problems, the outlook is even brighter.
Atlanta also has perhaps the most dominant closer in the game, Craig Kimbrel, who led the NL in saves for the fourth year in a row with 47.
''I like our pitching,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''Our rotation is going to be as good as you want.''
Even if the pitching comes through, the Braves have slipped way behind Washington in the NL East and could have trouble holding off the up-and-coming Miami Marlins as well.
Yep, times have changed in Atlanta.
Or maybe not.
''The goal is the same for me,'' Gonzalez insisted. ''Our goal is to make the playoffs.''
WHAT'S IN A NAME?: The center fielder formerly known as B.J. Upton is hoping a name change - actually, using his given name - will help him bounce back from two horrific seasons. The early results were not promising for Melvin Upton Jr., who missed all of spring training with a foot injury. Eric Young Jr. will hold down the starting job until Upton returns. Even then, Upton may have to share playing time unless he shows significant improvement. As it stands now, he's one of the greatest free-agent busts in baseball history. Since signing a $75-million, five-year contract with the Braves, his two-season totals are .198 with 21 homers, 51 RBIs and a staggering 324 strikeouts.
WHERE'S THE OFFENSE?: Even with Upton, Heyward and Gattis, the Braves scored the second-fewest runs in the majors. The offense was virtually non-existent coming down the stretch, the major reason Atlanta went 7-18 over the final month and wound up 17 games behind Washington after being tied for first at the All-Star break. The homer-or-bust philosophy clearly didn't work, so the Braves are hoping to scrap for runs this season. They'll have to with a lineup likely to include journeymen such as Young and Jonny Gomes, as well as rookie second baseman Jace Peterson. The only major offensive addition was right fielder Nick Markakis, and he's coming off neck surgery.
FREDI'S FUTURE: After firing Wren with a week to go in the disappointing 2014 season, the Braves decided to bring back Gonzalez for another year. He certainly deserved a shot to make up for a late-season collapse that was largely the result of a feeble offense. Let's not forget: During Gonzalez's first three years as manager, Atlanta won an NL East title, made two playoff appearances and missed out on another postseason berth on the final day. But his long-term future looks shaky, even with a franchise that cherishes stability. The Braves are definitely in rebuilding mode, and the manager often takes the fall when the losses begin to pile up. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW (WASHINGTON-ATLANTA) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Nationals-Braves Preview* ==========================
By JORDAN GARRETSON STATS Writer
Washington (7-12) at Atlanta (9-9), 7:10 p.m. EDT
The Washington Nationals are hopeful Max Scherzer will only have to miss one start, but even one turn in the rotation may be crucial for a club that has dug itself an early hole in the standings.
They'll now turn to A.J. Cole, making his big league debut in Scherzer's place, to help put an end to their losing streak Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.
Scherzer is having his start skipped because of a sprained right thumb suffered during an at-bat against St. Louis on Thursday. Manager Matt Williams is hopeful the Nationals' $210 million man can pitch within a few days.
"I would think that before another five days he'd be OK to go," Williams said. "We have to get him on a (mound) and make sure he can throw all his pitches. So that may happen tomorrow."
Despite his 1-2 record, Scherzer has easily been Washington's best starter, posting a 1.26 ERA in four outings.
Tanner Roark was also considered for the spot start, but he may have not been stretched out enough after throwing 12 pitches or fewer in four of his six appearances. Cole will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse, where he has no record and a 2.40 ERA in three starts.
The 23-year-old right-hander was 13-3 in 25 games between Double- and Triple-A in 2014 and had a 4.22 ERA in four games this spring.
Washington (7-13) is in dire need of a strong start with its rotation going 0-4 with a 5.55 ERA during the club's six-game slide. Doug Fister gave up five runs, including four earned, and 10 hits over 5 2-3 innings of Monday's 8-4 loss.
The Nationals were one of the most popular picks in any division entering the season, but face baseball's second-biggest deficit with eight games separating them from the first-place New York Mets. They haven't dropped seven straight since losing eight in a row from Aug. 28-Sept. 5, 2009.
Washington is also struggling offensively, batting .189 and totaling 14 runs during its skid.
Atlanta starter Julio Teheran (2-1, 4.64 ERA) is 3-2 with a 3.06 ERA in eight career starts against the Nationals, but Bryce Harper could be a catalyst. He is 7 for 16 off the right-hander with two homers and two doubles.
Teheran took his first defeat in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Mets, giving up four runs in 4 1-3 innings. His five walks matched a career high, with three coming in the first four at-bats.
"I don't like to make excuses but (the weather) was affecting me a little bit," he told MLB's official website.
Teheran already has 12 walks in 21 1-3 innings after issuing 51 in 221 innings last year.
Kelly Johnson hit a three-run homer Monday for the Braves (10-9), while A.J. Pierzynski extended his hitting streak to 10 games and drove in two runs.
The Nationals could be without infielder Yunel Escobar, who leads the club with a .284 average but left Monday after a hard slide by Andrelton Simmons. Simmons was hit with a pitch by Rafael Martin to open the seventh, and Atlanta's Jonny Gomes was ejected after charging from the dugout afterward.
Monday's opener was sloppy defensively - Washington committed four errors while Atlanta's Jace Peterson had two.The Nationals rank among baseball's worst with 22 errors, and the Braves have eight in their last four games.
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| | Last Updated: 4/25/2024 9:14:57 AM EST. |
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