Wire Taps: Max Scherzer Ks 12 in final Spring start; Davey Martinez & the Nationals’ lineup + more Nats links...

The next time Max Scherzer takes the mound it will be in Nationals Park on Opening Day. He wrapped up his Spring with a 12-K outing against the Miami Marlins last night, pounding the zone with strikes in his final Grapefruit League start.

Stephen Strasburg gets the nod this afternoon, when the Nationals and Cardinals meet up in West Palm Beach.

While you’re waiting to see Strasburg (the game is on MASN at 1:05), catch up on the last 24 hours in Nats news...

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

’He’s ready’: Max Scherzer is in mideason form in final spring start, striking out 12 Marlins - (WaPost)
"Scherzer’s final preseason objective was to pepper the strike zone, feel his breaking pitches and attack the Marlins from the start of counts."

Max Scherzer strikes out 12 in final tune-up before opener - (MASN)
"Scherzer, though, wasn’t so much worried about the numbers as much as he was worried about making sure he threw strikes. Which he did with aplomb: 73 of his 97 pitches."

Mad Max punches out 12 in final spring outing - (MLB.com)
"Scherzer filled up the strike zone Friday night, tossing 72 of his 96 pitches for strikes -- his velocity also climbed as the game went on."

Last couple of games offer clues to who will hit leadoff - (MASN)
"If you want to read into things - and you probably do - a quick glance at the Nationals’ recent lineups might just tip you off to the second-year manager’s intentions."

Washinton Nationals pinning World Series hope to expensive rotation - (WaPost)
“'The expectations are huge for this staff,' Nationals pitching coach Derek Lilliquist said. 'Any team needs their starting horses to be horses, and we are really going to need that.'"

Davey Martinez’s lineup ideas sound similar to those of Dusty Baker - (NBC Sports Washington)
"He says he wants a relatively set lineup in an era of constant shuffling -- which includes Adam Eaton and Trea Turner at the top, in some order. He says this information will be delivered to the players, then the media, then it’s time to play ball."

These Nationals look a lot different, but the goal remains very much the same - (WaPost)
"For the Nationals, though, no season since they became perennial contenders is as different as the one that approaches now."

Projecting the Nationals’ Opening Day roster based on recent injuries and additions - (WaPost)
"Washington has less than a week to make a handful of personnel decisions and finalize the group it will have in uniform when the Mets come to town to start the season."

Sipp confident he'll be ready for opener - (MASN)
"Tony Sipp is confident he’ll be ready to face big league hitters in big situations on opening day. Even if he doesn’t face a big league hitter in spring training."

'Trader Jack' McKeon back in baseball, his 'love,' with Nats - (Washington Times)
"Now a special adviser to the Washington Nationals’ general manager, Jack McKeon feels refreshed after a bit of a break from the place that’s been his world for most of his 88 years."

Curly W Live Podcast — Episode 25: Randy Knorr and Troy Gingrich - (Curly W)
"On this episode, we checked in with Randy Knorr and Troy Gingrich, two people who have had a tremendous impact on the Washington Nationals over the years."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Toolshed: Who’s the Nats’ next phenom? - (MiLB.com)
”If there’s an organization that recognizes gifted prospects and pushes them aggressively toward the big leagues, it’s the Washington Nationals.”

Park Vista High baseball team visits with Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner - (Sun Sentinel)
"Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner, a former standout at Park Vista Community High School, recently hosted the Cobras baseball team..."

Nationals roll out new food, environmental initiatives for 2019 - (insidenova.com)
"Team officials on March 21 at Nationals Park unveiled a slew of improvements and new offerings touching on everything from education and the environment to cuisine and the military."

Fantasy Baseball National League preview and predictions - (Yahoo!Sports)
"Comments/Fantasy predictions: Washington suffers injuries throughout its staff but still takes home the division thanks to the league’s best offense..."

Barnstormers sign Bryce Harper's brother - (lancasteronline.com)
"The Lancaster Barnstormers have signed Bryan Harper, the older brother of Phillies star Bryce, for the 2019 season."

Yankees drop big hints on Gio Gonzalez’s immediate future - (nj.com)
"Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild had an interesting takeaway Thursday morning while watching newly acquired lefty Gio Gonzalez throw a bullpen session in Tampa."

Nats open loyalty program to all fans and expand ticketing options in 2019 - (WaPost)
"New concession items, including oysters, pupusas and steamed buns, aren’t the only changes to the fan experience at Nationals Park this season."

Heading to Nationals Park in 2019? Download these new apps first - (Let Teddy Win!)
"[F]ans heading to Nationals Park beginning next week are advised to turn their attention off the field for a moment and take note of some significant changes to the stadium experience..."