The character and mettle of the Washington Nationals will be tested Friday night as they take on the Chicago White Sox without an official manager. After manager Jim Riggleman resigned from the Washington organization on Thursday amid controversy the Nationals have put bench coach John McLaren in as interim manager for the weekend. Can the Nationals stay focused enough to keep their hot streak alive?
They certainly have the pitcher in line to do it. Stone-faced Jordan Zimmermann (5-6, 3.08 ERA)will step on the mound to face off against Edwin Jackson (4-6, 4.47 ERA) of the White Sox. Zimmermann has delivered a quality start in his past nine outings and held another AL team, the Baltimore Orioles, to two runs in 6 1/3 innings in interleague play his last start. The young hurler is the hottest pitcher in the rotation currently and a perfect go-to guy for a hot and streaking team.
McLaren has returned right fielder Jayson Werth to the lead-off spot while scrapping the previous Riggleman idea of batting Matt Stairs DH in American League ballparks. The Nationals will be playing with a DH Friday night and McLaren has turned to outfielder Laynce Nix to provide the power.
Nationals Line-Up
1. Jayson Werth, RF
2. Roger Bernadina, CF
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Laynce Nix, DH
5. Michael Morse, 1B
6. Danny Espinosa, 2B
7. Wilson Ramos, C
8. Jerry Hairston, LF
9. Ian Desmond, SS
-- Jordan Zimmermann, SP