After making solid additions to their pitching rotation in the offseason, the Washington Nationals are suddenly scrambling for depth at the spot. The Nationals handed a $210 million contract to Max Scherzer in hopes that he could be the go-to ace alongside Stephen Strasburg. Now Scherzer is expected to miss his next start thanks to a thumb injury leaving the Nationals at a loss.
Washington is struggling as of late. During a six-game losing streak, starting pitchers are 0-4 with a 5.55 ERA. Dough Fister game up five runs and 10 hits on Monday. Scherzer has been the most consistent threat with a 1.26 ERA in four games. However, now AJ Cole will be taking his place and making his major league debut. Cole was called up from Triple-A Syracuse after putting up a 2.40 ERA in three starts. The Nationals considered Tanner Roark, but he has not thrown enough pitchers yet to make his debut. With high expectations placed on them in the preseason, the Nationals sit eight games behind the New York Mets while dropping six games straight. While their pitching has not been great, their bats have been worse with a .189 average, totaling just 14 runs in the losing streak.
The Atlanta Braves have not exactly looked great either, but they managed enough offense on Monday to get the win against Washington. Kelly Johnson knocked out a three-run homer while AJ Pierzynski added to his 10-game hitting streak with two runs. Julio Teheran will take the mound for the Braves as he is 2-1 with a 4.64 ERA on the year. He looked shaky in his loss to the New York Mets, putting up four runs in just four innings. His five walks were a career high. Against the Nationals he is 3-2 with a 3.06 ERA in eight career starts against Washington. Bryce Harper has the most success against the starter going 7 for 16 with two home runs and two doubles.
The building rivalry between the Braves and Nationals has certainly come with tension in recent years. Monday night was no exception. Andrelton Simmons knocked out Yunel Escobar in a hardslide that saw Jonny Gomes clear the dugout and promptly get ejected.