Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals: Grapefruit League GameThread

As of the time he spoke to reporters in West Palm Seashore, FL earlier than yesterday’s recreation with the Houston Astros, Washington Nationals’ skipper Davey Martinez was undecided how he’d line up his pitching right now. With each prime prospect Cade Cavalli and Aníbal Sánchez set to pitch, the query was whether or not Cavalli would come out of the bullpen as soon as Sánchez was performed, or if the membership would throw the 2020 1st Spherical choose in a minor league recreation so he’d get all of the work in they need him to.

Popping out of his first begin and second look in Grapefruit League motion this 12 months final day trip, which noticed Cavalli quit 5 hits and three runs (all earned), whereas placing out three batters in a powerful outing towards the identical Cardinals the Nationals host right now, Martinez mentioned his subsequent outing would doubtless be in a giant league recreation.

“I feel we’ll preserve him right here and let him throw once more in 5 days,” Martinez mentioned, as quoted by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman. “After which we’ll see the place we’re at.”

4 days later, nevertheless, the fifth-year skipper wasn’t so positive how issues would play out.

Would Cavalli come out of the pen like he did in his 2022 debut earlier this month, in reduction after Sánchez, and deal with the remaining innings as soon as the veteran is completed, or begin in order that he might get in all of the work he wants.

“I’m leaning extra in direction of stretching him out, however we’ll see,” Martinez mentioned, however, “[Pitching coach Jim] Hickey needs to see him pitch within the huge league recreation, however we’ll see.”

After Tuesday’s recreation, Martinez introduced his resolution:

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR TODAY’S GAME WITH THE CARDINALS: