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Nationals’ lineup for series finale with D-Backs: Wilson Ramos gets well-deserved break...

Wilson Ramos is headed for free agency this winter... unless the Washington Nationals sign him to an extension. Dusty Baker said last night he hopes something gets done.

By Patrick Reddington
MLB: Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

After a 2 for 5 night in Arizona on Tuesday, Wilson Ramos is 9 for 32 (.281/.303/.563) with three doubles, two home runs and six runs batted eight games into the road trip that started in Cleveland and wraps up today with the third of three with the D-Backs in Phoenix, Arizona’s Chase Field.

Ramos hit his 16th home run of the season last night, matching his career high set in 2013 and the 28-year-old backstop, who’s headed for free agency this winter unless he signs an extension, currently ranks second in the NL in AVG (.331) and seventh in AVG with runners in scoring position, (.351 on the year).

He also leads all MLB catchers in OBP (.381), SLG (.536) and RBIs (59) and is tied for second among major league backstops with his 16 home runs.

As the Nationals mention in the pregame notes for this afternoon’s series finale with the Diamondbacks, Ramos is, “... on pace to become the second player in the Modern Era (since 1900) to raise his batting average 100 points from one year to the next (min. 500 plate appearances in both seasons).”

It’s been a next-level breakout season for the veteran catcher, who has guided the Nats’ pitchers to a combined 3.20 ERA when he’s behind the plate.

His three-run blast last night broke up a 2-2 tie in what ended up 10-4 win.

After the game, Nats’ skipper Dusty Baker talked about how important Ramos has been for the Nationals this season.

“I’m telling you, Ramos has been a godsend,” Baker said.

“He feels good about himself. I can’t imagine not having Ramos, cause he’s figured it out. And it takes some time sometimes. Everybody doesn’t figure it out at the same rate or the same pace.

“I’m hoping that we try to do something with Big Ramos here to retain him soon.”

Will the Nationals try to extend him before he hits free agency? Will he end up in another uniform next season?

Ramos is getting a much-deserved day off this afternoon in the series finale with the D-Backs.

Pedro Severino will be behind the plate as Max Scherzer takes the mound in Chase Field.

Here’s the Nationals’ lineup for today’s 3:40 PM matchup:

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