Ross, Suero on Nats' World Series roster
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HOUSTON -- The Nationals revealed their World Series roster on Tuesday afternoon, making a couple of tweaks in the bullpen but largely keeping the group intact as they prepare for Game 1 against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Washington added right-handers Joe Ross and Wander Suero, who replace Roenis Elías and Austin Voth in the bullpen.
| Game | Date | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | Oct. 22 | WSH 5, HOU 4 | Watch |
| Gm 2 | Oct. 23 | WSH 12, HOU 3 | Watch |
| Gm 3 | Oct. 25 | HOU 4, WSH 1 | Watch |
| Gm 4 | Oct. 26 | HOU 8, WSH 1 | Watch |
| Gm 5 | Oct. 27 | HOU 7, WSH 1 | Watch |
| Gm 6 | Oct. 29 | WSH 7, HOU 2 | Watch |
| Gm 7 | Oct. 30 | WSH 6, HOU 2 | Watch |
Shop for postseason gear: Ross has not pitched in a game since Sept. 29, and he did not make the roster for any of the previous postseason rounds. But he has stayed ready, tossing a simulated game against Nationals hitters this past weekend to help with the layoff between rounds. The Nats also gave Ross an edge over Voth in the bullpen because of his ability to pitch in back-to-back games if needed. Suero made their National League Division Series roster and spent only one game on the NL Championship Series roster before being removed when Daniel Hudson returned from paternity leave.
The Nationals have advanced this far by leaning heavily on their starting rotation and their top two relievers, Hudson and Sean Doolittle, so neither Elías nor Voth made a postseason appearance. If all goes according to plan, it’s unlikely Ross or Suero would either.
“I think in this series, our bullpen usage is going to be important,” Nats manager Dave Martinez said. “And I was trying to put together a bullpen who could actually throw multiple innings or even get four or five outs if they had to.”
Elías was added to the NLCS roster despite being limited to just four appearances since Aug. 2 thanks to two stints on the injured list with a right hamstring strain. The Astros were the Majors' best offense against lefties with a 131 wRC+, which reduces the need to carry an extra southpaw. And the Nationals have shown a willingness to use left-hander Patrick Corbin out of the bullpen on the day of his side session in between starts.
Voth had encouraging numbers as a starter this season (3.48 ERA with a 3.08 K/BB ratio), but he never got a chance to pitch out of the Nats' bullpen this postseason, despite making the roster in each of the previous two rounds.
PITCHERS
Patrick Corbin
Sean Doolittle
Javy Guerra
Daniel Hudson
Tanner Rainey
Fernando Rodney
Joe Ross
Aníbal Sánchez
Max Scherzer
Stephen Strasburg
Wander Suero
CATCHERS
Yan Gomes
Kurt Suzuki
INFIELDERS
Matt Adams
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Brian Dozier
Howie Kendrick
Anthony Rendon
Trea Turner
Ryan Zimmerman
OUTFIELDERS
Adam Eaton
Gerardo Parra
Victor Robles
Juan Soto
Michael A. Taylor