Login  | Free Registration

You are viewing a condensed version of this FoxSheet. Login as a FoxSheets Subscriber to view the full sheet.
Not a member? Subscribe today and start taking advantage of our premium information, including the Game Estimator™, the Super Situations ™, the Power Trends ™, and many more features.
MLB : ATS Matchup
Thursday 7/2/2015Line$ LineOU LineScore
WASHINGTON  SCHERZER )
 
ATLANTA  BANUELOS )
-1.5  -130

+1.5  +110
-185

+175

6.5un
 
1
Final
2

WASHINGTON (43 - 35) at ATLANTA (37 - 41)
View Previous GameView Next Game
Thursday, 7/2/2015 7:10 PM
MAX SCHERZER (R) vs. MANNY BANUELOS (L)
Board OpeningLatest
 LineTotalLineTotal
957WASHINGTON-200Ov 6.5,-110-190Ov 6.5,-120
958ATLANTA+185Un 6.5,-110+180Un 6.5,+100
ADVANCED TEAM STATS
WASHINGTON - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games43-35+0.342-334.40.2590.3220.4060.7284.00.2610.3060.3790.685
Road Games21-21-3.125-154.90.2610.3270.4080.7364.60.2790.3250.4140.739
vs Left-handed Starters11-5+58-64.50.2650.3250.4250.7503.60.2510.2930.3700.663
Past 7 Games5-2+2.13-44.10.2530.3310.3730.7042.60.2450.2630.3360.599
Grass Games42-34+0.241-334.30.2550.3180.4000.7184.00.2610.3040.3780.683
Night Games24-22-2.223-214.40.2680.3310.4100.7414.00.2690.3130.3950.708
Division23-14+3.919-174.10.2550.3190.3950.7153.50.2550.2960.3460.641
WASHINGTON - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.40.2590.3227826416851358790.4063252446092654567506433
Road Games4.90.2610.327421462381726440.4081901453441630934253322
Lefty Starters4.50.2650.32516532141302170.425684711541051312105
WASHINGTON - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games3.421.2712219284214186720310-9251071.4%
Road Games4.161.354123.4635712513421044-812763.2%

ATLANTA - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games37-41+2.744-304.00.2570.3150.3660.6814.30.2620.3260.4050.732
Home Games20-16+521-124.10.2570.3220.3710.6934.30.2450.3120.3720.684
vs Right-handed Starters32-34+2.835-274.10.2630.3200.3730.6934.20.2580.3250.3920.717
Past 7 Games2-5-2.22-52.00.2330.2700.3250.5954.00.2650.3320.3530.685
Grass Games35-40+0.742-293.90.2560.3130.3620.6764.30.2610.3250.3990.725
Night Games27-27+3.629-213.90.2560.3180.3570.6754.20.2560.3210.4020.723
Division18-20-0.124-134.00.2670.3210.3790.6994.30.2600.3280.3950.723
ATLANTA - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.00.2570.3157826436791309470.3662912255303954480458847
Home Games4.10.2570.322361181304604220.3711351132362125035174123
Righty Starters4.10.2630.3206622475911148390.3732541904443546270417543
ATLANTA - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games4.301.395228115109219259920612-17271367.5%
Home Games3.741.25411850491017471146-514477.8%
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
WASHINGTON - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
6/18/2015FISTER(R)TAMPA BAYARCHER(R)3-5L+1057 unO121031270
6/19/2015ROSS(R)PITTSBURGHBURNETT(R)4-1W+1157 ovU1490641
6/20/2015SCHERZER(R)PITTSBURGHLIRIANO(L)6-0W-1406.5 unU820010
6/21/2015GONZALEZ(L)PITTSBURGHMORTON(R)9-2W+1008 ovO1250871
6/23/2015STRASBURG(R)ATLANTAWOOD(L)3-1W-1607.5 evU12809101
6/24/2015ZIMMERMANN(R)ATLANTAMILLER(R)2-1W-1706.5 evU6911080
6/25/2015FISTER(R)ATLANTAWISLER(R)7-0W-1307.5 unU1260673
6/26/2015SCHERZER(R)@ PHILADELPHIAHARANG(R)5-2W-1756.5 evO970741
6/28/2015STRASBURG(R)@ PHILADELPHIACORREIA(R)3-2W-1658 unU9132552
6/28/2015ROARK(R)@ PHILADELPHIAGONZALEZ(R)5-8L-1558.5 unO10811691
6/30/2015ZIMMERMANN(R)@ ATLANTAMILLER(R)6-1W-1156.5 unO1190881
7/1/2015FISTER(R)@ ATLANTAWISLER(R)1-4L-1357.5 unU471750
7/2/2015SCHERZER(R)@ ATLANTABANUELOS(L) 
7/3/2015GONZALEZ(L)SAN FRANCISCOPEAVY(R) 
7/4/2015STRASBURG(R)SAN FRANCISCOBUMGARNER(L) 
7/5/2015ZIMMERMANN(R)SAN FRANCISCOVOGELSONG(R) 
7/6/2015FISTER(R)CINCINNATIDESCLAFANI(R) 
7/7/2015SCHERZER(R)CINCINNATICUETO(R) 
7/8/2015 CINCINNATI  

ATLANTA - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
6/18/2015MILLER(R)BOSTONBUCHHOLZ(R)2-5L+1007 evP671961
6/19/2015WISLER(R)NY METSDEGROM(R)2-1W+1307 unU661661
6/20/2015PEREZ(R)NY METSSYNDERGAARD(R)6-4W+1157 evO1060862
6/21/2015TEHERAN(R)NY METSHARVEY(R)1-0W+1157 unU680440
6/23/2015WOOD(L)@ WASHINGTONSTRASBURG(R)1-3L1507.5 evU91011280
6/24/2015MILLER(R)@ WASHINGTONZIMMERMANN(R)1-2L1606.5 evU1080691
6/25/2015WISLER(R)@ WASHINGTONFISTER(R)0-7L1207.5 unU6731260
6/26/2015PEREZ(R)@ PITTSBURGHLIRIANO(L)2-3L2206.5 ovU66111111
6/27/2015TEHERAN(R)@ PITTSBURGHMORTON(R)4-8L1457 evO11721371
6/28/2015WOOD(L)@ PITTSBURGHLOCKE(L)2-1W1507 unU890660
6/30/2015MILLER(R)WASHINGTONZIMMERMANN(R)1-6L+1056.5 unO8811190
7/1/2015WISLER(R)WASHINGTONFISTER(R)4-1W+1257.5 unU750471
7/2/2015BANUELOS(L)WASHINGTONSCHERZER(R) 
7/3/2015TEHERAN(R)PHILADELPHIACORREIA(R) 
7/4/2015WOOD(L)PHILADELPHIAO'SULLIVAN(R) 
7/5/2015MILLER(R)PHILADELPHIAHAMELS(L) 
7/6/2015WISLER(R)@ MILWAUKEELOHSE(R) 
7/7/2015 @ MILWAUKEEGARZA(R) 
7/8/2015 @ MILWAUKEE  
7/9/2015 @ COLORADO  
KEY GAME INFORMATION
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.
PREVIEW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW (WASHINGTON-ATLANTA) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Nationals-Braves Preview* ==========================

By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Washington (43-34) at Atlanta (36-41), 7:10 p.m. EDT

While Max Scherzer's teammates remain in awe over his recent dominance, the right-hander continues going about the business of winning games for the Washington Nationals.

He'll try to win a fourth consecutive start Thursday night against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Scherzer (9-5, 1.79 ERA) began his stellar three-start stretch by tossing a one-hitter at Milwaukee on June 14, then came within an out of a perfect game before settling for a no-hitter in a 6-0 win over Pittsburgh on June 20.

Six days later, he took a perfect game into the sixth inning then yielded two runs through eight of a 5-2 victory at Philadelphia.

"Every time he goes out there, it seems he's going to be perfect," teammate Matt den Dekker said. "It's fun to watch."

Owner of the second-lowest ERA in the majors, Scherzer has recorded 33 strikeouts over those three starts and hasn't yielded a walk in the last two.

"That's what you pride yourself on - just attacking the zone," Scherzer, whose 0.79 WHIP is by far the lowest in baseball, told MLB's official website. "For me, executing all your pitches now becomes a premium."

He's 5-2 with 1.40 ERA in eight road starts for Washington (43-35), which has lost two of three following an eight-game winning streak.

"Your focus is to win the ballgame," said Scherzer, who last faced the Braves in 2010. "That's the first and foremost thing you have to worry about."

He'll try to help the Nationals rebound after their nine-game winning streak over Atlanta (37-41) ended with Wednesday's 4-1 loss.

A.J. Pierzynski and Juan Uribe hit back-to-back homers to highlight a four-run fourth for the Braves, who have won two of three since a five-game overall slide that began with three consecutive losses to Washington.

Pierzynski is batting .421 (8 for 19) with 10 RBIs in five homes games against the Nationals this season. He hasn't faced Scherzer since 2013 but is hitting .333 (11 for 33) with a double, triple and a home run against him.

The veteran should be catching for highly touted prospect Manny Banuelos, who is expected to make his major league debut in place of the injured Williams Perez - and may help the Braves go 4-0 this season when their pitcher makes his first big league start.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2012 and missing all of the 2013 season, the left-hander spent last year in the minors before the New York Yankees traded him to Atlanta in January for fellow pitchers David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve. Banuelos was 6-2 with a 2.29 ERA in 15 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this season.

"His makeup is unbelievable, and his mound presence is really good," Braves director of player development Dave Trembley said. "He's learned to pitch off of his fastball. He was a power pitcher coming up. He had the surgery, and he had to learn how to pitch again. He's learned to use his secondary pitches."

One of the challenges Banuelos will face is slugger Bryce Harper, who is hitting .385 in 10 games against the Braves this season. The talented outfielder met with manager Matt Williams after he failed to run hard on a fly ball in Tuesday's 6-1 victory.

"It's important for him to be passionate about the way he plays," Williams said. "In every aspect."


Last Updated: 3/19/2024 5:15:21 AM EST.


You are viewing a condensed version of this FoxSheet. Login as a FoxSheets Subscriber to view the full sheet.
Not a member? Subscribe today and start taking advantage of our premium information, including the Game Estimator™, the Super Situations ™, the Power Trends ™, and many more features.