Good Morning, Washington Nationals Fans. Here are the latest headlines and analysis around the Washington Nationals for Thursday, August 12, 2021.
Upcoming Games:
Thursday, August 12, 2021: Washington Nationals v. New York Mets; 12:10 pm EDT
Thursday, August 12, 2021: Washington Nationals v. New York Mets; TBD
Friday, August 13, 2021: Atlanta Braves v. Washington Nationals; 7:05 pm EDT
Saturday, August 14, 2021: Atlanta Braves v. Washington Nationals; 6:05 pm EDT
Sunday, August 15, 2021: Atlanta Braves v. Washington Nationals; 1:05 pm EDT
It's going to be a bumpy road over the next few weeks and maybe even years ahead, but hopefully, once again, the Nationals will be at the top of the baseball world. Yesterday's only game was an example of what Nationals fans should expect over the next year or two, but there were some signs of hopefulness, as the young and new-look Nationals were able to come back twice against the New York Mets. Once again, the Nationals bullpen gave the Mets the ability to win yesterday afternoon's game, which completed the suspended game from Tuesday night.
Nationals' skipper Davey Martinez talked before Wednesday's afternoon game about knowing that there will be "bumps and bruises" along the way with some young relievers in the bullpen now. However, Martinez said it's still about winning games while allowing the pitchers to learn how to deal with adversity and succeed in the majors.
This time, Mason Thompson, acquired from San Diego for Daniel Hudson, was the pitcher who learned the latest lesson. In his post-game press conference after he gave up the lead in the bottom of the eighth, Thompson said: "Obviously, starting off with J.D. Davis, I felt like I missed out over the plate, [Davis] did a good job of hitting the ball the other way down the line. And then obviously a big error there following that, but I felt like I did a good job after that of continuing to battle. I mean, I didn't necessarily hit a ball extremely hard after that; I gave up a couple of hits.
"One of those things where got to get the leadoff guy out and then when you don't, you got to make the play and when they're giving you an out, got to make the play, get the out, and make your job a lot easier."
Joe Ross, who started the resumed game yesterday afternoon, went five innings and gave up four runs.
Joe Ross's Line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 Ks, 82 P, 57 S, 9/4 GO/FO.
Another the other side of the ball, the Nationals scored seven runs during the game and saw contributions from Carter Kieboom, Luis García, Juan Soto, Riley Adams, and Yadiel Hernández.
Today, the Nationals will play a double hitter against the New York Mets, with the first game starting at 12:10 pm EDT.
Can Mike Rizzo build another Washington Nationals World Championship team? The process started with the Rizzo Reboot of 2021. From the article: "Rizzo has made it known that the trade deadline sell-off, while necessary, was not an easy thing for him to do. He said post-deadline that "Yesterday was probably as tough a day I've had as a general manager," which makes perfect sense considering the talent that has been shipped out."
No matter how depressing the last two weeks have been for Nationals fans, by trading away, fan favorites such as Trea Turner and Max Scherzer and some heartbreaking losses, the future of the Washington Nationals will be fun to watch.
Tonight, Major League Baseball will finally have its "Field of Dreams," game become a reality. After a postponement last year due to COVID-19, the New York Yankees will face off against the Chicago White Sox tonight with pregame coverage starting at 6:00 pm EDT on FOX.
According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, said the following about tonight's game: "I think we all have a nostalgic view of Field of Dreams... These things in the course of a long season have all been great ideas and winners in my mind for Major League Baseball. It's something that I think our entire group is really looking forward to being a part of."
“Field of Dreams is a great movie; it embraces family and what the game’s all about,” said White Sox manager Tony La Russa, who will miss the game to attend the funeral of his sister’s husband. “It’s a very special opportunity. Our guys are really excited to be there. I’ve seen some of their comments already. It should be a great day.”
Here are some of the details for tonight's game via MLB.com
How did this come about?
The Field of Dreams Game between the White Sox and Yankees was announced in 2019 and originally scheduled to be played in August '20. Due to travel restrictions accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic, MLB briefly planned to substitute the Cardinals for the Yankees, but ultimately postponed the contest until '21.
Commissioner Rob Manfred visited the movie site in 2016, which sparked the idea to play a Major League game there.
When is the game? How can I watch?
The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET. FOX will televise the game.
Who will be the home team? What are the logistics?
The White Sox, who factored heavily into the film with "Shoeless" Joe Jackson being a key figure, will be the home team. On Thursday, both clubs will fly to Dubuque, Iowa, bus 25 miles to Dyersville, and receive private tours of the movie site and stadium. The teams will wear retro uniforms meant to evoke the turn-of-the-century feel of the movie.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Left-hander Andrew Heaney (7-8, 5.45 ERA) will start for the Yankees. With left-hander Carlos Rodón on the injured list, the White Sox will hand the ball to right-hander Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.04 ERA).
Pat Hoberg, a native of Urbandale, Iowa, will have the honors of shouting: "Play ball!" Hoberg has been tabbed as the home plate umpire.
Will the teams be playing on the field from the movie?
No. A new 8,000-seat facility was constructed for the game, located a quarter-mile west of the diamond from the movie. The field dimensions are 335 feet to left and right fields, 380 feet to the power alleys and 400 feet to straightaway center field, surrounded by 159 acres of corn.
The dimensions and appearance of the stadium are meant to resemble old Comiskey Park, the White Sox's home from 1910-90. A corn maze leads fans from the movie site to the stadium.
What will happen after the game?
After Thursday's game, construction crews will dismantle the temporary stadium, placing seating and other materials into storage. The field will remain in use for future events, including all levels of baseball.
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