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A.J. Cole was scheduled to make his third start of the Spring this afternoon, when the Washington Nationals take on the Detroit Tigers in Grapefruit League action from Joker Marchant Stadium, in Lakeland, FL, but the 26-year-old starter, who is competing for a spot in the Nationals’ rotation this Spring, was sent home with a stomach bug over the weekend, so it’s Edwin Jackson on the mound instead.
Jackson, 34, makes his fourth appearance (and second start) after going three innings against the New York Mets last time out.
In that outing (his first start of the Spring), the veteran gave up a run on a solo homer in the first, but held the Nats’ NL East rivals to a total of three hits in a solid day of work on the mound.
Through four appearances so far, Jackson, who re-signed with Washington this winter after he signed with the Nationals last season and made 13 starts for the NL East champs (with a 5.08 ERA, 25 BB, 58 Ks, 18 HRs in 71 IP), has given up five hits (two home runs) and two runs total, walking one, striking out six, and holding opposing hitters to a combined .227 BAA.
Jackson makes his second start today in the game which is being broadcast on the MLB Network at 1:05 PM EDT. It’s a big week for Nationals watching, with today’s game on TV, (though it’s the Detroit feed), and tomorrow and Thursday’s games on MASN.
If you haven’t been watching all the Nationals baseball you can this Spring, now is a good time to start.
HERE’S THE NATS’ LINEUP FOR THIS AFTERNOON’S GAME VS THE TIGERS:
Today's Nationals lineup vs. Tigers at LakelandL Goodwin CF, Difo 2B, Robles RF, Adams 1B, Sierra DH, Stevenson LF, Severino C, Brignac SS, Reynolds 3B, Jackson RHP.
— Pete Kerzel (@masnPete) March 12, 2018