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After splitting their first six games, the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs wrap up their regular season series this afternoon in Wrigley Field.
Erick Fedde is on the mound for the Nationals vs the Cubs’ Jon Lester in the third of three in the Windy City at 2:20 PM EDT.
What have we learned about the teams through the first six games? Who knows, that’s a question for someone with analytical skills and a lot of time on their hands.
What we can tell you is that we learned yesterday that Matt Wieters does not curse. At least that’s what Dusty Baker said when he was asked about the veteran catcher’s late-game ejection in the second game of three in Chicago.
Wieters was apparently tossed for arguing about the strike zone for Nats’ pitchers vs Cubs’ pitchers with home plate umpire Chad Whitson at the end of the sixth inning.
Here’s what Baker said about the altercation when asked what was behind ejection:
“That’s what I asked [Whitson]. I asked him, ‘Did he curse you?’ and he said, ‘No.’ And he said, ‘I told him that was enough,’ and he tossed him for talking, but I know Wieters didn’t curse him, because he doesn’t curse, and so that was a very, very quick hook in my opinion and it took us down to one catcher. I don’t know how many times he’s gotten tossed, but I bet it’s not many.”
Hear that, Wieters doesn’t curse. Someone put the “breaking news” headline on the front page!!! I guess that’s my job. As is presenting you with the links today...
NATS BEAT:
Nationals had action late but were done in by earlier mistakes
"His final pitching line - four runs and six hits allowed in five innings on 101 pitches - didn’t look good at all. But it didn’t tell the entire story of the right-hander’s afternoon."
‘Trying to hit a homer,’ Bryce Harper whiffs in final at-bat against Cubs
“'I’m just trying to hit a homer,' Harper said, 'tie it up a little bit and go extras and roll the dice.'"
Stephen Strasburg will miss another start, but Nationals say he is ‘continuing to progress’
"The spokesperson said Strasburg is 'still just in his throwing program.' The club’s official update later was 'he’s continuing to progress in his throwing program.'“
Scherzer on track for Monday, Strasburg still unclear (Nats lose 7-4)
"As the Nationals cobble together their rotation for the rest of the weekend, they can take solace knowing they should head into next week with the situation much more stable."
Stephen Strasburg working way back from injury
"Strasburg has pitched in just one postseason game due to injuries, while the Nats have gone to the playoffs in three of the past six seasons."
Off-The-Field Recap: Reunions and Reintroductions
The Washington Nationals do on-field stuff. But they also do off-field stuff. Here are those things.
Nationals prospect Robles looks to stay hot
"Robles recorded multiple hits for the fourth time in his last six games on Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a double in Double-A Harrisburg's loss to Binghamton."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Look for these veterans to help down fantasy baseball stretch
"He is eligible at multiple positions, hitting high in a potent Nationals offense and has the ability to drive in and score runs."
Recipe for a Run: Add Bullpen Muscle
"Besides [Tony] Watson, the Dodgers acquired Tony Cingrani, another lefty, from Cincinnati. The other National League contenders welcomed new relievers, too..."
One victory over the Nationals is worth a lot more
"I’m willing to concede that beating Nationals pitcher Edwin Jackson, a former Cubs bust, affects the luster of the victory a bit..."
Joe Maddon confident Cubs can turn it up a notch against top teams
"After Sunday, only 12 of the Cubs' final 52 games are against teams currently above .500 — seven against the Brewers, three against the Diamondbacks and two against the Rays."
Chicago Cubs find winning formula against Washington Nationals
"It wasn’t always pretty Saturday, but perhaps the Chicago Cubs have found their formula for winning games via their bullpen..."