The Washington Nationals will close out this road trip which began on Sunday, Aug. 20 in Williamsport, PA, and has lasted to this afternoon in Toronto.
After this afternoon’s game, the Nationals will travel back to D.C. where they will open a nine-game, 11-day homestand that will include visits from the Miami Marlins (4 games), New York Mets (2 games), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (3 games).
Game Details
- Washington Nationals (62–71) at Toronto Blue Jays (72–61)
- Pitching Matchup: LHP Patrick Corbin (9–11, 4.70) | RHP Chris Bassitt (12–7, 4.00)
- Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 | 3:07 p.m. ET | Game #134 / Road #69
- Location: Rogers Centre | Toronto, ON
- TV: MASN
- Radio: 106.7 The Fan / Nationals Radio Network
Game Story Line
The Washington Nationals are 6-3 on this road trip and with a win today, they would clinch their sixth straight series victory. Additionally, this would be their eighth series victory in their last nine.
Game Highlights
- Welcome back MR. Kieboom. Kieboom has hit safely in four of six games, going 6-for-22 (.273) with a double, three homers, five RBI, one hit by a pitch and four runs scored. Two of the three home runs were with the score tied at 0-0 and gave the Nationals the lead in games they would go on to win.
Leadoff Magic. Since being moved to the leadoff spot on July 7, CJ Abrams
is hit-ting .281/.333/.438 with six doubles, a triple, seven homers, 15 RBI, nine walks, six hit by pitch, 27 stolen bases, and 32 runs scored. CJ’s 27 stolen bases since moving to the leadoff spot in July are the most in Major League Baseball which is ahead of the Braves RonaldAcuña Jr. (20). On the season, he ranks third in the National League with 38 stolen bases. Of Abrams’ 14 home runs this season, five has given the Nationals the lead at the time.
- It’s all about the start. The Nationals’ starting pitching rotation has a 2.69 ERA (21 ER/70.1 IP) and .202 opponent average over its last 13 starts, the best ERA and opponents batting average in Major League Baseball since Aug. 16, 2023. The Nationals are 9-4 in these 13 starts. Lastly, in 10 games since Aug. 19 vs. Philadelphia, the rotation has an NL-best 2.33 ERA (14 ER/54.0 IP).
- All aboard the Lane Train. With three more stolen bases, Lane Thomas would record the sixth 20 home run - 20 stolen base season in Nationals History (2005.) and the first since 2016. Thomas ranks in the National League in hits (5th, 146), doubles (T5th, 32), total bases (7th, 244) and runs (8th, 88) and leads Major League Baseball with a career-high 13 outfield assists.
On the bump for the Nationals: LHP Patrick Corbin
Patrick Corbin in his last start pitched 6.0 innings, allowed three earned runs on seven hits, walked three, and struck out seven batters on August 24 against the New York Yankees. He earned the win in the Nationals’ 6-5 victory.
Against Toronto. Corbin faces the Blue Jays for the third time in his career and is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA (5 ER/ 12.0 IP) in his previous two appearances against Toronto.