Though it isn't as dramatic or hokie, Sunday's finale between the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds has all the makings of a Wild West plot line. The Nationals, terrorized by a marauding horde of villains played by the Cincinnati Reds, are about to be swept in a three game series. They have no offense and no fighting spirit in this barbaric land of Ohio, so they look to be crushed.
Then enters the stranger, the hero who single-handedly whips out the threat, bags the villain, gets the girl and then walks off into the sunset a character of mystery and legend. Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann (8-11, 3.10 ERA) could fill that role nicely and just like our fictional cowboy hero, No. 27 too will walk off into the sunset Sunday as it will be his final outing of the season before being shutdown. Zimmermann held the Reds scoreless over 5 2/3 innings on Aug. 18th in his last outing and will look to duplicate similar results.
He will be without his trusty sidekick third baseman Ryan Zimmerman who was given the day off by manager Davey Johnson for reportedly looking worn and tired. After a shaky MLB debut, recently called up Chris Marrero will not be manning first base today. Laynce Nix will take over one-bag duties Sunday while Alex Cora takes over third.
The Nationals look to avoid the sweep at the hands of Johnny Cueto (9-5, 2.03 ERA) and the Reds at 1:10 P.M. EST.
Nationals Line-Up
Ian Desmond - SS
Jayson Werth - RF
Rick Ankiel - CF
Michael Morse - LF
Danny Espinosa - 2B
Laynce Nix - 1B
Jesus Flores - C
Alex Cora - 3B
Jordan Zimmermann - SP