Home NLDS Game 2 Preview: Scherzer gets ball as Nats look to make it 2-0
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NLDS Game 2 Preview: Scherzer gets ball as Nats look to make it 2-0

Chris Graham
baseball
Photo Credit: Sean Gladwell

Game 1 worked out as well as it could have for the Washington Nationals, which got seven and two thirds innings from Anibal Sanchez in a 2-0 win over St. Louis.

Now Davey Martinez can go to his ace, Max Scherzer (11-7, 2.92 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 12.7 K/9), for Game 2, with about as intact a bullpen as he could have schemed up.

Sean Doolittle did have to get the last four outs to preserve the Game 1 win, but only needed 15 pitches total to get them, meaning you could certainly go back to Doo if necessary.

Martinez also gets closer Daniel Hudson back for Game 2. Hudson missed Game 1 for the birth of his daughter early Friday.

The Cardinals go to veteran Adam Wainwright (14-10, 4.19 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 8.0 K/9) for Game 2.

Nats vs. Adam Wainwright

The current Washington roster is 43-for-158 against Wainwright, with a .272/.307/.430 slash line.

The most success

  • Adam Eaton: 6-for-11, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1K
  • Ryan Zimmerman: 12-for-34, 5 2B, 2 HR, 6K
  • Kurt Suzuki: 4-for-13, 3K

Guys with no success

  • Anthony Rendon: 1-for-16, 3K
  • Howie Kendrick: 2-for-9, 1 2B
  • Juan Soto: 1-for-5, 1K

Cardinals vs. Max Scherzer

The current Cards roster is 47-for-207 against Scherzer, with a .227/.253/.357 slash line.

The most success

  • Matt Carpenter: 7-for-23, 3 2B, 6K
  • Marcell Ozuna: 10-for-36, 2 HR, 5 2B, 10K
  • Matt Wieters: 8-for-27, 1 HR, 5K

Guys with no success

  • Yadier Molina: 1-for-17, 1 2B, 4K
  • Paul Goldschmidt: 2-for-25, 14K
  • Dexter Fowler: 5-for-27, 1 2B, 14K
  • Kolten Wong: 4-for-20, 4K

Story by Chris Graham

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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