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Grapefruit League GameThread: Nationals at Astros - Max Scherzer vs Doug Fister

The Washington Nationals travel to Kissimmee, Florida this afternoon to take on the Houston Astros in Spring Training action from Osceola County Stadium with Max Scherzer on the mound against former Nats' starter Doug Fister. It's on MLB.tv!!!

By Patrick Reddington
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

After yesterday's game took place without radio or television coverage, this afternoon's matchup between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros is available via the Astros' ROOT Sports Southwest feed on MLB.tv.

Max Scherzer is on the mound against now-former Nationals' starter Doug Fister this afternoon in Kissimmee, Florida's Osceola County Stadium.

Fister signed a 1-year/$7M deal with the 'Stros this winter after an injury-impacted 2015 that saw him miss time with forearm issues and struggle to keep his fastball down in the zone.

The Nationals declined to make a qualifying offer to the 32-year-old righty, who finished his second season in D.C. (5-7) with a 4.19 ERA, a 4.55 FIP, 24 walks (2.10 BB/9) and 63 Ks (5.50 K/9) in 25 games, 15 starts and 103 innings pitched, over which he was worth 0.2 fWAR.

Fister lost his spot in the Nats' rotation when he struggled and rookie right-hander Joe Ross impressed enough for the Nationals to turn to him instead down the stretch.

"My mechanics were a little off, and I didn't realize it until a little too late," Fister told reporters including MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, when he was introduced by the Astros.

"I finished strong. I felt like my velocity got back. I felt like my delivery was back. I was getting life on the ball, getting that ground-ball contact. I think that was a huge factor for me in the confidence. I can still pitch. I can do my job whether it's a bullpen guy or starter."

Scherzer makes his second start of the Spring this afternoon, after giving up a hit in two scoreless innings in his 2016 Spring debut.

Here is the Nationals' lineup for this afternoon's game via @Nationals on the Twitters:

Game Time: 1:05 PM EST. Did we mention that this afternoon's game is on MLB.tv? It is. It's on MLB.tv at 1:05... on MLB.tv. Got it?

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