Nationals Beat Writer Gives Bucs-Nats Series Preview
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Chase Hughes, who covers the Washington Nationals for CSN Washington, joined Starkey And Mueller Thursday to talk about the battered Nationals, who retain their spot in first place despite experiencing a slew of injuries.
"They have a long list of guys out right now," Hughes said. "I think the Nationals remain the favorite in this division."
The Nationals are 3.5 games ahead of the New York Mets in the National League East Division even though standouts Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth, Yunel Escobar, Denard Span and Stephen Strasburg have all been banished to the dugout or rehab assignments after getting hurt. In addition, Washington has multiple relievers who are injured.
Hughes said that Rendon, Zimmerman and Werth are in rehab, and that one, if not two or all, could join the team in Pittsburgh this week, although it's unlikely.
"Once they get their guys back," Hughes mentioned. "It's going to be tough for the Mets to catch them."
Former Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer is scheduled to pitch Friday against Jeff Locke. Scherzer is in the midst of a career year, posting a 2.09 ERA and a .804 WHIP in 138 innings pitched. Scherzer is 10-8 this season, and he's only received a total of seven supporting runs in his losses.
Hughes highlighted Scherzer's season thus far: "At one point, he had three complete games in four outings. He kind of stumbled the second to last outing before the all star break against Cincinnati but then rebounded to pitch really well against Baltimore in the finale of the first half of the season. He was one strike away from having his fourth complete game of his career, and that's after coming into the season with only one complete game in his career. So that goes to show how much better he has been in this season than he has before, and this is a guy who has won a Cy Young Award."
In a game last month against the Pirates in which the Nationals won 6-0, Scherzer recorded 26 consecutive and uninterrupted outs before hitting Jose Tabata in the elbow to break up his perfect game bid.
"Max Scherzer at that time was in the middle of one of the best stretches in recent baseball history," Hughes said.
The entire interview with Hughes, who also offers commentary on NL MVP candidate Bryce Harper, can be heard below.