Wire Taps: Nationals eliminated in NL East; Austin Voth starts vs Mets + more...

Davey Martinez announced after last night’s game that Tanner Roark, who has been doing the whole family thing for the last few days, would not start in this afternoon’s game (cool, whatever, not like we already put together the GameThread with Roark or anything)...

It is going to be Austin Voth instead, with Roark pushed back.

“It’s going to be Voth,” Martinez said. “I talked to Tanner. Tanner has had a long week, and we’re going to skip him and he’ll probably pitch on Wednesday.”

So now you know, and knowing is half the battle. Go Joe! On to the links...

NATS BEAT:

The Nationals’ offseason priority? For starters, finding some starters - (WaPost)
"Because General Manager Mike Rizzo says that a great rotation is always his central team-building goal, this constitutes a fundamental crisis."

Austin Voth will start in place of Tanner Roark for the Nationals on Saturday - (WaPost)
"The Nationals will skip Tanner Roark’s spot in the rotation Saturday and plug in Austin Voth to start against the New York Mets."

In the ‘evaluation’ part of their schedule, Nats still can’t manage a win - (WaPost)
"Asked about the fact that they might finally be eliminated from the division race they were supposed to lead and win, long before he knew the outcome, Manager Dave Martinez pivoted."

Nationals offense scuffles with Jacob deGrom - (MLB.com)
"Joe Ross, making his second start back from Tommy John surgery, held his own by allowing four runs (three earned) in six innings with three strikeouts."

Adam Eaton dealing with sore knee - (MLB.com)
"He said it's just stiff," Martinez said. "I told him to take a couple days off, and at this point, I don't want him re-injuring anything."

Nationals eliminated from NL East race (updated) - (MASN)
"Technically speaking, it’s not officially over yet. The Nationals’ elimination number for the NL’s final wild card berth is now two, pending the result of the Cardinals’ game with the Giants."

Prospect Spotlight – Nick Raquet - (NatsGM)
"Nick Raquet was Washington’s 3rd round pick in 2017 after a fine career at William & Mary. Listed at 6’0″ 215lbs, Raquet is stocky with a thick lower half and zero projection remaining."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Grading the 2018 MLB season's six new managers (and two midseason replacements) - (The Comeback)
"Martinez himself has also received criticism for his handling of the bullpen, which led to a couple of weird situations..."

Silver Linings: National League East - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"[T]he revamped Nationals offense appears to yet again be a strength as the team prepares for the ’19 campaign."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Gabe Kapler says defense has let down starters - (MLB.com)
"Gabe Kapler came armed with a sheet of paper to the visitors' dugout Friday afternoon at SunTrust Park. He came with a point to make."

Jacob deGrom on his new record - (NorthJersey.com)
"Jacob deGrom on setting a record against the Nationals..."

Wei-Yin Chen dominates before Marlins walk off - (MLB.com)
"After the win, Chen said he talked with teammate Dan Straily, and the two joked about a strategy to even out his home and road splits in 2019."

Braves win and the champagne is on ice - (AJC.com)
"The champagne is on ice. The Phillies punched. The Braves counter-punched. And the latter was a near-knockout blow."