Washington Nationals to face Atlanta Braves – MLB Preview
Spring training preparation is over now and the regular season will begin Thursday, March 31 at Nationals Park. National League’s Washington Nationals will square off against division rivals Atlanta Braves.
The scheduled game has also revived 2008’s memories when the Nationals marked their season’s first win as well as the first homer by Ryan Zimmerman. Braves, who lost their last spring exhibition Wednesday to the Twins, have full determination to achieve
some big outings in this season. Zimmerman would again be there but this time under new manager Jim Riggleman who will start his second season with the Nationals.
Catcher Brian McCann of the Braves, who ended spring 17-12, seemed optimistic about his roaster and said, "We won 91 games last year and we got better. Now we are back, guys have more experience under their belt. I mean, we feel like we're a good club, and
now we just have to go out and prove it."
The Braves have scheduled their top prospect right-handed pitcher Derek Lowe to face Washington’s Livan Hernandez. Lowe, making his sixth start in last seven seasons managed 2-2 with 3.09 ERA in six spring games. He pitched in 23 innings allowed ten runs
including eight earned on 22 hits and got twelve strike-outs.
On the other side, the Nationals having a good 15-13 record have arranged their best hurler Hernandez who has 2-1 record with 3.60 ERA. Hernandez pitched in 15 innings of four games, gave just six runs without any homer, and struck-out eight batters.
However, Washington regrets losing their splendid pitcher Stephen Strasburg. Hernandez gives him tribute talking to the media between the workouts on Wednesday.
"He's the No. 1 guy on the team, no doubt," Hernandez said. "When we've got him on the team, the team is much, much better. ... I want to see the young guys happy and doing something I've done before. He should be the guy out there."
Hernandez will be backed up by right fielder Jayson Werth, who surprised all Major League players with his $126-million seven year contract. Rick Ankiel would be in centre and Michael Morse in left.
Braves, realising the heat this time again in the season, has trimmed their spring roster by eight players on Sunday, as five players were re-assigned to minor league camp. Besides Lowe, Atlanta has six players in their line-up that started the opener in
2010. Left-fielder Martin Prado, centre-fielder Nate McLouth, third baseman Chipper Jones, catcher Brian McCann and right-fielder Jason Heyward are in the line-up to take on opposition.
With high hopes, the Braves have added a hitter said to be the best at second base position. Dan Uggla, who led the NL in on-base percentage last year, will join with Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman and Chipper Jones.
Jones has recently recovered from knee surgery that did not allow him play in the last season. Chipper has been slated to third base position.
Washington will be looking to come out aggressively and go after the Braves’ pitching line-up. Atlanta’s strong team-work is key for them, as the Nationals are not going to waste time to adjust their defence. It will be an exciting match-up to start off
the Major League Baseball season for 2011.
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