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It's late afternoon action today when the Washington Nationals welcome the New York Yankees to Viera, Florida's Space Coast Stadium for a Grapefruit League matchup at 5:05 PM EDT.
Stephen Strasburg takes the mound for the Nationals tonight, opposite Yankees' righty Masahiro Tanaka in a game that is being broadcast on MASN, the MLB Network and MLB.tv for your viewing pleasure.
Through three starts this Spring, Strasburg, the 27-year-old, '09 no.1 overall pick, who could be a free agent after this season, unless he's signed to an extension, which is a possibility, according to GM Mike Rizzo, has given up ten hits, five runs, all earned and five walks, while striking out 10 batters.
Opposing hitters have a .286 AVG against Strasburg thus far in Grapefruit League action.
Backing the right-hander up this afternoon is a lineup that's a mix of expected everyday regulars and bench options for the Nationals:
- Ben Revere - CF
- Anthony Rendon - 3B
- Bryce Harper - RF
- Ryan Zimmerman - 1B
- Jayson Werth - RF
- Chris Heisey - DH
- Wilson Ramos - C
- Brendan Ryan - SS
- Stephen Drew - 2B
- Strasburg - P
Masahiro Tanaka, also 27, is making his fourth start of the Spring as well, having given up seven hits, one walk and two earned runs in the previous three outings, over which he's struck out six and held hitters to a .259 AVG in seven innings.
Also listed as available to pitch on the Nationals' lineup card for this afternoon's matchup are Sean Burnett, Oliver Perez, Aaron Laffey, Matt Belisle, Jonathan Papelbon, Nick Masset, Trevor Gott and Dakota Bacus, who, if you're unfamiliar, is a 24-year-old, 2012 9th Round pick by the Oakland A's who was acquired when the Nationals traded catcher Kurt Suzuki to the Athletics in 2013.
GAME TIME: 5:05 PM EDT; FOLLOW: This afternoon's game is available on MASN; MLB Network and MLB.tv.
Who's watching the Nationals?