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Cleveland Indians @ Washinton Nationals
Tuesday, August 9, 2016, 7:05 pm. Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia.
Radio: WTAM
TV: STO
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Trevor Bauer looked like he had finally turned the corner. After throwing five innings in the 19-inning epic against Toronto, his ERA was down to 3.02. Since then, it has steadily increased in inverse proportion to the number of innings he's thrown per start. His last start was his worst of the season as he lasted just 2.2 innings and gave up seven earned runs, bumping his ERA back up over 4. Unlike other members of the Tribe rotation, Bauer's struggles are less easy to handwave away as a bump in the road. Was his start to the season a fluke? Did that relief appearance throw off his routine? Which version of Trevor is the real Trevor?
He'll have the opportunity to add a data point in support of either version tonight who have won seven of their last ten and have a seven game lead in the NL East despite the severe struggles of last year's MVP, Bryce Harper. Harper will be out again tonight with stiff neck that caused him to leave Saturday's game early, and sit out Sunday.