Game 52 discussion thread: Nationals vs. Padres

Danny Espinosa, not starting for only the third time this season, said he feels “great” and was simply given an off day. No injury worries there.
So with Alex Cora at second base, the Nationals will try to win the series against the offensively challenged Padres. San Diego has not scored more than three runs in a game since May 16. In the 11 games since, they’ve scored 15 total runs.
So this is not exactly an enormous challenge for Yunesky Maya, who is making his first start his season, replacing Tom Gorzelanny, who is on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. Last year, while trying to adjust to both a new level of baseball, a different style of strike and hitter and a foreign culture, Maya struggled. He made five starts, going 0-3 with a 5.88 ERA.
Losing a series to the Padres, who came to Washington at 20-30, before the Phillies come to town Monday would not be a good sign for the Nationals. In between bites at your barbeque, talk about the game right here.