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5:07 pm - Astros @ Nationals (0-2)
And so, we get to see Zack Greinke pitching in the World Series this year. Who saw that coming? Well, apart from everyone who anticipated he’d be traded to a contender at the deadline. Not that there were many of those around the SnakePit, from what I recall. Been a bit of a rough post-season so far for Zack, 0-2 with ten earned runs allowed over 14 innings. The long ball has been the problem, with five home-runs allowed so far. His career playoff ERA is now 4.44, more than a run higher than his regular season figure of 3.35. While it’s not yet Kershaw-esque, there’s potential for a narrative there, especially if the balls go whizzing out of Nationals Park again tonight.
Meanwhile, Anibal Sanchez has been the Nationals’ secret weapon this postseason. Everyone knew about Scherzer, Strasburg and Corbin, but I doubt many outside of the DC could have named their #4 starter, without at least pausing. However, Sanchez has an 0.71 ERA, having allowed one run over 12.2 post-season innings, on just five hits. That’s a .116 batting average against. Also today: Juan Soto turns 21, which is pretty staggering. Know how many players have ever appeared for the Diamondbacks on their 21st birthday? That’d be none at all. Know how many appeared before their 21st birthday? Just three: Justin Upton, Byung-Hyun Kim and Edgar Gonzalez.