GameNotes: April 29, 2021 (Miami Marlins v. Washington Nationals)

Game Details: Miami Marlins (11-13) v. Washington Nationals (9-12)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Pablo Lopez (0-2, 2.93 ERA) v. LHP Jon Lester (0-0; 0.00 ERA)
Date & Time: Friday, April 29, 2021 | 7:07 p.m. | Game #22 / Home Game #11
Location: Nationals Park, Washington DC
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
SiriusXM Radio: 898

Game-Time Weather:
Very windy, mostly clear skies with a scattered shower possible early. Winds out of the northwest at 20-25 mph, damaging wind gusts possible that could be near 50 mph. A wind advisory is in effect for parts of the area from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Washington Nationals Game StoryLine: Lester to make his Washington Nationals debut

Tonight, the Washington Nationals will kick off a six-game homestand which will include a weekend series against the Miami Marlins and then a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. LHP and three-time World Champion and five-time All-Star Jon Lester will be making his Washington Nationals debut tonight. Lester signed a one-year contract with Washington at the end of January 2021. He joined the Nationals after six seasons with the Chicago Cubs in which he went 77–44 with a 3.64 ERA in 171 star

Pitching Matchup:

Jon Lester

Jon Lester will make his 2021 Washington Nationals debut tonight. It’s been a rough month-plus for the southpaw as he has had to deal with a Spring Training health issue and then being put into isolation due to possible exposure to COVID-19 at the beginning of the season. In 2020, Lester went 3-3 with an ERA of 5.16. During Spring Training, the lefthander had a 3.60 ERA in ten innings pitched. During his Spring Training, Lester had five strikeouts and gave up four runs. A three-time World Series Champion and five-time All-Star, Lester signed a one-year contract with Washington at the end of January 2021. He joined the Nationals after six seasons with the Chicago Cubs in which he went 77–44 with a 3.64 ERA in 171 starts.

Pablo Lopez

The Miami Marlins will send right-hander Pablo Lopez to the mound to start the three-game series against the Washington Nationals. Lopez has allowed two or fewer runs in all but one of his five starts so far this season. He has a total of four career starts at Nationals Park, where he has posted an 8.10 ERA with eight strikeouts, five walks, and six home runs allowed in 16⅔ innings. In the shortened 2020 season, Lopez permitted three unearned runs across five innings.

Today’s GameNotes

FunFedde:

The Nationals just finished up a five-game road trip that included a trip to New York to face the New York Mets and then a quick two games in FL to face the Toronto Blue Jays. The Nationals split the series with the Blue Jays and are coming off an amazing performance from right-hander Erick Fedde. Fedde went six innings, giving up only two hits, 1 run, and had seven strikeouts.

Strasburg & Soto Update

During his pre-game Zoom press conference, Nationals Manager Dave Martinez gave updates on two important players that need to get healthy right away.

• Steven Strasburg – According to Martinez, Strasburg threw off a mound at 200 ft, yesterday. Martinez mentioned that the next step for the right-hander is to do a light bullpen session which will happen this weekend.

• Juan Soto – Soto continues to move towards returning to the Nationals. According to Martinez, Soto has done some throwing and is starting to feel better and will continue to work through the progressions. The Nationals need his bat in the lineup as soon as possible.

YO Yadiel

The 33-year-old Right fielder, Yadiel Hernandez has a team-leading .333 batting average so far this season. Hernandez has hit three RBI’s and one home run and has an OPS of .924

Hey Trea

Trea Turner continues to play at an elite level. Currently, the Shortstop is hitting a .317 batting average, a slugging percentage of .585, and an OPS of .949. Additionally, Turner has hit six home runs, 26 hits, 10 RBI’s, and five stolen bases with 82 plate appearances so far this year.  Trea Turner last faced Lopez during the 2019 season. In that season, he went 8-2 with a batting average of .250, and OPS of .625.

Not too Friendly NL East

In divisional play so far this season, the Washington Nationals are 2-4. The Nationals will play the Marlins 18 more times this season. Last year, the Nationals lost the season series to the Marlins with a 6-4 record. All-time, the Nationals lead the Marlins 230-229. However, the Marlins Pitchers have allowed an average of 3.79 against Washington Nationals hitters.

Game Lineups (Subject to Change without Notice)

Washington Nationals

Trea Turner – SS
Josh Harrison – 2B
Yadiel Hernández – RF
Starlin Castro 3B
Josh Bell 1B
Kyle Schwarber- LF
Alex Avila – C
Victor Robles- CF
John Lester-SP

Miami Marlins

Miguel Rojas – SS
Jesús Aguilar – 1B
Garrett Cooper – RF
Adam Duvall – LF
Lewis Brinson – CF
Jon Berti – 3B
Sandy León – C
Isan Díaz -2B
Pablo López – P