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Let's see here: 3 innings, 76 pitches, 45 strikes, 9 hits, 3 rockets, 5 earned runs...
Not a memorable evening for Jordan Zimmermann in Philadelphia.
The Nationals were hoping this was the night where Jordan put it together and showed his comeback from Tommy John surgery was complete, but that's yet to happen. His outing tonight, coupled with the Nats' announcing that lefty Ross Detwiler would be inserted into a six-man rotation, may mean the ballclub will at least consider shutting J-Z down for the year.
It's not a terrible idea, but one I suspect wouldn't sit well with Zimmermann. His recovery and rehab in barely a year was remarkably quick. so reducing Jordan's schedule with 2 weeks left in the season might make some baseball sense.
My own pre-season prognostication of around 75 wins is all but off the board at this point. Even reaching the 70 mark may be a longshot with the inconsistent offense they've displayed lately.
The season's final homestand next week brings the Houston Astros in for a 4-game series. The Astros are out of the race in the NL Central, but have played .600 ball the second half of the season, so basically, there are no gimmes on the remaining Nationals' schedule. It's a time for evaluating the roster, and enjoying the ambiance of the ballpark a few more times.
Teeth-gnashing not recommended.
