Max Scherzer (12-6, 2.87 ERA), attemping to pick up his 200th strikeout of the season, takes the hill for the Washington Nationals (66-45) as they square off against Trevor Bauer (7-5, 4.08 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (62-47) in the first of a two-game series at Nationals Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 9 and can be seen on STOh and MASN.
Scherzer pitched 8.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out 11 and walking one in an 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Bauer went 2.2 innings, surrendering eight runs (one unearned), striking out one and walking five in a 13-5 defeat to the Twins in his last outing. Mike Napoli (.253, 71 Rs, 28 HRs, 79 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 4 Sunday.
Notes
Washington earned its eighth shutout of the season in its last game. Cleveland has been shut out three times this season.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Nationals are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Indians have a 23-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 7-33. The Nationals have a 12-28 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks in the top 10 of the league at eighth when it comes to home runs, hitting 144 this season. Washington ranks in the top five with 147.
Ranking 12th, Cleveland is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 350 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 388.
When the Nationals hit at least one home run, they are 52-24, well-matched with the Indians who are 46-29 when hitting one or more homers.
