GameNotes: May 4, 2021 (Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals)

Game Details: Atlanta Braves (12-16, fourth in the NL East) vs. Washington Nationals (12-12, first in the NL East)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Joe Ross (2-1, 4.64 ERA) vs. RHP Huascar Ynoa (2-1, 2.96 ERA)
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 | 7:07 p.m. | Game #25 / Home Game #14
Location: Nationals Park, Washington DC
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
SiriusXM Radio: 898

Game-Time Weather: Rain and storms possible this evening, temps will be in the upper 80s for a high and will begin to drop into the mid 60s by the end of the game. A delay or postponement is possible depending on how storms set up around the area.

Today in Washington Nationals History:
2019 - The Nationals overcame deficits of 2-1, 3-2 and 8-5 to eventually top the Philadelphia Phillies, 10-8, in a come-from-behind win. The Nationals put together a four-run eighth inning thanks to a pinch-hit, three-run homer from Kurt Suzuki and a go-ahead solo blast from Victor Robles. Tony Sipp (W, 0.2 IP), Kyle Barraclough (Hold, 1.0 IP, 2 SO) and Sean Doolittle (S, 1.0 IP, H, BB) kept Philadelphia’s offense at bay the final two-plus innings to help Washington secure the victory.

Washington Nationals Game Story Line

The Nationals are coming off a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins and a dominant performance from their ace Max Scherzer, off the bat of the Face of the Franchise: Ryan Zimmerman. The Nationals will send right-handed pitcher Joe Ross to the mound to start the three-game series against the Braves.

The Washington Nationals are currently in first place in the NL East. It is Washington’s longest winning streak of the season and is the second-longest active winning streak in Major League Baseball.

Pitching Matchup

RHP Joe Ross (2-1, 4.64 ERA)

Joe Ross is in the middle of a great start to his season. He has only had one bad start this year, and that was in New York against the Mets. Outside of that start, he has given up only one run all year. As always against the Braves, you cannot let Freddie Freeman beat you. That is especially important for Ross. Freeman has hit .500 against Ross over his career with two HRs in 10 ABs. This will be an interesting matchup to start the series, and Ross is responsible for keeping this momentum moving.

RHP Huascar Ynoa (2-1, 2.96 ERA)

Huascar Ynoa has been quite the surprise for the Braves, posting a 2.96 ERA and a 3.66 FIP so far. He has already faced the Nationals once this year, and he did very well over five innings, where he only gave up two hits and no runs. His performance has been solid all year. Expect him to lean on his high 90s fastball to get him through another game with the Nationals. Hopefully the batters will have a better performance against him the second time around.

Today’s GameNotes

The Most Underrated Short Stop in MLB

Trea Turner leads the Nationals with 29 hits and has 10 RBIs and is making a case for MVP already this season. Currently, Turner has a batting average of .309 with six home runs, seven stolen bases, an OPS of .899, and a league-leading fWAR for all shortstops. Turner has only had two errors, and has been involved with 12 double plays and has a fielding percentage of .978

The First Place Washington Nationals?

With a sweep over the weekend of a very solid Miami Marlins and a New York Mets loss last night, the Washington Nationals are 12-12 and sit at the top of the NL East by a half-game. Yes, you read that correctly. It is no mistake. Despite all the challenges that the Nationals had to deal with during the month of April, they look to continue their winning ways tonight.

The Nationals have a chance to extend their winning streak to five. Not only have the Nationals won four straight, they have also won seven of their last 10 games dating to April 20 vs. St. Louis.

Before Sunday’s Zoom Press Conference, Nationals manager Davey Martinez noticed the movement up in the standings.

“We’re getting there,” Martinez said. “I like what I’m seeing. …We’re getting there.” Hopefully, we will soon see the return of Juan Soto, and Stephen Strasburg and will come off the IL list so that for the first time all season, the Nationals will be at full strength.

Captain Zimmerman

With his three-run home run Sunday against the Marlins, Ryan Zimmerman is showing everyone that he still has it in him to play and continue with his Spring Training tear. With a total of 47 at-bats, Zimmerman is hitting .319 with four home runs, 15 hits, and 10 RBIs. Zimmerman also has a .596 slugging percentage and an OPS of .943. Zimmerman has also been solid at first base.

He has not yet committed an error in this role, and he has had 68 put-outs. In addition, he has made some incredible “saves” that don’t necessarily show up on stat sheets.

This Washington Nationals Player has reached base safely in 15 of his 17 games this season? Who is Josh Harrison, Alex?

Josh Harrison has reached base safely in 15 of his 17 games this season. Harrison's .451 on-base percentage would lead the National League, but he falls just short of qualifying (2.95 PA/team game) to be among the league leaders (3.1 PA/team game).

Harrison has hit safely in seven straight games, hitting .385 (10-for-26) with a double, homer, four RBI, three hit by pitch, two walks and five runs scored. He is 6-for-10 (.600) and has reached safely in nine of 13 plate appearances (.692 OBP) over his last three games.

Juan Soto and Will Harris Reinstated from the 10-Day IL List

In a sign that the Washington Nationals are getting close to full strength, today the Nationals have reinstated Juan Soto and Will Harris off the 10-Day IL list. Additionally, Washington optioned right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin to Triple-A Rochester and designated Hernán Pérez for assignment on Tuesday.

Harris, 36, returns to the active roster after missing the first 24 games with right hand inflammation. Harris went 0–1 with one save and a 3.06 ERA in 20 games with Washington in 2020. He struck out 21 batters while walking nine.

Soto, 22, returns to the active roster after missing 11 games with a left shoulder strain. He was hitting .300 (15-for-50) with two doubles, two homers, eight RBI, one stolen base and 11 runs scored when he was placed on the Injured List.

It has been reported that Soto will not be playing in tonight’s game, however, we will see Juan Soto in pitch hitting situations, and Harris is in fact available to pitch if needed.