Dusty Baker smiled when he thought about his upcoming schedule: Game Thursday afternoon, then a flight back to the bay area to see his son, Darren, graduate from high school. There is even some fishing in his future on a rare off day next week.
Baker will leave after Thursday’s series finale with the Seattle Mariners. Bench coach Chris Speier will manage in Baker’s place during a three-game series this weekend against the San Diego Padres, who enter Thursday in last place in the National League West.
The Nationals start a three-game series in San Francisco on Monday, which lines Baker up for an easy return to the team. That starts a nine-game West Coast swing that includes series against Oakland and Los Angeles. Washington will play the Dodgers for the first time since losing the National League Division Series to Los Angeles last season.
First, everyone had to deal with Thursday. The start time for the game was moved up four hours in order to avoid rain. This is the only time Seattle and Washington play this season, so the teams are desperate to get the game in to avoid a future random single game that would drag the Mariners back across the country.
Both teams were sending out regulars despite the short turnaround. The only change for the Nationals is Jose Lobaton at catcher in place of Matt Wieters. Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager are all in Seattle’s lineup. Gio Gonzalez will start for the Nationals. Ariel Miranda starts for Seattle.
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