Nats (21-28) vs. Padres (20-30)
What – Game #50
Where – Nationals Park
When – 7:05 p.m.
TV – MASN HD
Radio – WJFK-106.7 FM; WFED-1500 AM
The Nationals are in a bad spot heading into a six-game homestand this Memorial Day weekend. They went 1-7 on the recent road trip and star right fielder Jayson Werth had some vague comments after one of those tough losses at Milwaukee that some interpreted as a shot at manager Jim Riggleman.
I wasn’t in Milwaukee, obviously, and half the time we reporters read way too much into comments made immediately after a difficult loss. But either way Werth’s comments came at an inopportune time. Whatever is going on inside the Nats clubhouse they need to figure out quick because this is an odd homestand – four day games with the first three against one of the few teams with an offense as bad as Washington’s. The Nats (team OPS .660, 26th overall) open with the San Diego Padres (team OPS .633, 29th overall) and then step up in competition – to say the least – with a series against the Philadelphia Phillies, who have the best record in the National League.
Best get two of three this weekend or things could turn really sour. John Lannan (2-5, 5.03 ERA) is opposed by left-hander Clayton Richard (2-5, 4.85 ERA), who has remarkably similar stats. Both men have started 10 games. Richard has 31 strikeouts to 20 walks. Lannan has 32 strikeouts to 23 walks. Here are the lineups.
Padres:
Denorfia – RF
Bartlett – SS
Ludwick – LF
Cantu – 1B
Maybin – CF
Headley – 3B
Johnson – C
Gonzalez – 2B
Richard – P
Nationals:
Bernadina – CF
Desmond – SS
Werth – RF
Morse – 1B
Ramos – C
Espinosa – 2B
Hairston – 3B
Bixler – LF
Lannan – P
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