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Wire Taps: Nationals' starter Max Scherzer vs the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton

Yesterday it was the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins. Max Scherzer vs Giancarlo Stanton. Today it's Jordan Zimmermann vs David Price on the hill. It might "only" be Spring Training, but still, who's going to miss that matchup?

By Patrick Reddington
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

There was plenty of talk yesterday before the Grapefruit League game in Jupiter, Florida's Roger Dean Stadium, about the half-a-billion dollar-plus matchup between Washington Nationals' starter Max Scherzer, who signed a 7-year/$210M free agent deal with the Nats this winter and Miami Marlins' slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who signed a 13-year, $325M extension. Stanton went 0 for 2 with a double play grounder and a swinging K in his two at bats against Scherzer.

The Nationals' new starter told reporters after his second outing of the Spring and his first head-to-head meeting with Stanton, that he respected the talent of the Fish right fielder:

Want another exciting matchup though? How about Jordan Zimmermann vs David Price on the mound. That's the pitching matchup for this afternoon's 1:05 PM EDT game between the Nats and Detroit Tigers in Viera, Florida's Space Coast Stadium.

It might only last three innings, but Zimmermann vs Price is worth the, uh, price of admission? Sorry. Check out our GameThread later today and talk to your fellow Nationals fans as you watch live on MASN or MLB.tv.

According to a tweet by MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the Nationals have Felipe Rivero, Blake Treinen, Matt Thornton, Drew Storen (Spring debut) and Rich Hill scheduled to throw after Zimmermann. Plenty of reasons to skip work or school and take in some baseball. [ed. note - "FBB is not responsible for any trouble skipping work or school gets you in. But seriously, I never would've learned a thing in school with MLB.tv on my phone."]

While you wait for today's pitching showcase, catch up on the last 24 hours of Nats news...

Scherzer vs Stanton:

• "In the first, Stanton grounded hard to second. It began a double play. In the third, Scherzer struck Stanton out." - "The half-billion dollar matchup of Scherzer vs. Stanton and more from Jupiter" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

• "Talking in the dugout this morning, I caught manager Matt Williams by a bit of surprise when I informed him of the staggering money, and math, involved in today's matchup." - "Nationals Pastime: Mega-million-dollar matchup today" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "Scherzer got the better of Stanton during Tuesday's meeting, the first time the two stars have ever faced off." - "Scherzer bests Stanton in first of many meetings this year" - Jamal Collier, nationals.com

Max Scherzer: ST start no.2 reports:

• "Long after the right-handers were gone, Miami roster hopeful Derek Dietrich delivered a walk-off solo homer off Bruce Billings..." - "Scherzer limits damage, Uggla chips in vs. Fish" - Joe Frisaro, nationals.com

• "Scherzer was able to get out of the third inning and ended up allowing one run while scattering six hits in his 47-pitch, 33-strike outing that also included three strikeouts." - "Nationals Pastime: Matt Williams lets Max Scherzer battle" - Chris Johnson, MASNSports.com

• "Even though Scherzer was Big 12 pitcher of the year as a junior and taken 11th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2006 draft, his development took time." - "Pitcher Max Scherzer has changed cities but is an unchanged man" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

NATS BEAT: Another Span story + Zuckerman on Span; McCatty on rotation

• "Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty would appear to have the easiest job in baseball." - "Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty says numbering pitchers in the rotation is overrated" - Scott Allen, The Washington Post

• "'We have a number of guys, good guys that have the ability to get on base for us, create a little bit of havoc and set our lineup in motion,' Williams said." - "Who will lead off for Nationals with Span out?" - Jamal Collier, nationals.com

• "The best pitching staff, by the numbers last season, became even better with the acquisition of free-agent ace Max Scherzer." - "Nats aim to break through after postseason shortcomings" - Mike Bauman, Nationals.com

NATIONAL(S) BEAT: Marrero in NJ, Detroit still sore with Scherzer

• "The Nationals are the powerhouse. The Mets and Marlins are the rising contenders. The Braves and Phillies are used-to-be contenders falling precipitously..." - "Dominating NL East punching bags could be Mets’ playoff edge" - Joel Sherman, New York Post

• "Until 1956, when the musical "Damn Yankees" opened on Broadway, the official name of the baseball team known as the Washington Senators was the Washington Nationals." - "Washngton baseball founder born, March 11, 1839" - Andrew Glass, POLITICO

• "Max Scherzer chased the money. And there is nothing wrong with that. He bet on himself, then used the leverage like any of us would." - "Max Scherzer left Tigers for plenty of green, but looks odd in red" - Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press

• "The Patriots made the biggest splash of the Atlantic League offseason to date when they announced the signings of former Washington Nationals first baseman Chris Marrero..." - "Patriots announce signings of Marrero, Neal" - Mike Ashmore, mycentraljersey.com

New Spring Training Home Update: Nats/Astros want to get started

• "Palm Beach County's baseball stadium push got a $5 million boost Tuesday in the bid to lure two more Major League Baseball teams for spring training." - "Palm Beach County approves $5 million baseball stadium down payment" - Andy Reid, Sun Sentinel

• "As reported by the Palm Beach Post, the Palm Beach County Commission approved a motion Monday morning to transfer $5 million of tourism taxes to the teams for use in preliminary planning..." - "Nationals, Astros hope to jumpstart progress on joint spring training facility" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

NL EAST UPDATES: Neyer on NY; Elbow issues for Mets/Phils; Braves' pitching guru

• Braves: "The Braves have already reaped benefits of having Roger McDowell as pitching coach..." - "McDowell creates environment in which pitchers thrive" - David O'Brien, AJC.com

• Mets: "Edgin, who was originally scheduled to pitch Tuesday against the Braves at Disney, stayed behind in Port St. Lucie on Monday and was scheduled to have an MRI on his elbow." - "Josh Edgin's elbow problems have Mets worried" - Kristie Ackert, NY Daily News

• "Aside from Harvey, the Mets don’t look all that different than a year ago. So it’s not surprising that their projections aren’t particularly friendly." - "Three reasons to watch the Mets in 2015" - Rob Neyer, FOX Sports

• Marlins: "From the opponent he faced, to the opposing pitcher, to his own catcher, there was plenty of familiarity for Dan Haren on Tuesday..." - "Familiarity breeds success, scoreless start for Haren" - Joe Frisaro, marlins.com

• Phillies: "'I said this a couple of days ago, but it's worth reiterating in the wake of yesterday's news that Cliff Lee will attempt to pitch through a flexor tendon tear: What's done is done." - "Phillies can't panic on trade front" - David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News

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