Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki has been scratched from Game 7 of the World Series due to persistent issues with a hip flexor issue he suffered during Game 3:
Suzuki scratched. Yan Gomes will catch Scherzer now.
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) October 30, 2019
Suzuki had been something of a personal catcher for Nationals starter Max Scherzer, but he simply has not felt good enough to go behind the plate since sustaining the injury. Instead, Yan Gomes — who has started each of the last three games — will catch for Scherzer.
Gomes has filled in quite nicely for Suzuki, having tallied a hit in each of the last three games. He is also a markedly better defensive catcher, especially in terms of framing. However, his chemistry with Scherzer will be of vital importance, especially with the ace coming back from neck spasms.
The Nationals acquired both Suzuki (via free agency) and Gomes (trade with the Cleveland Indians) in the offseason, and they split time during the regular season.
Suzuki had started the majority of the postseason, though he struggled at the plate.
The veteran backstop had a strikeout rate over 33 percent and seemed to be playing banged-up after suffering some minor knocks in the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Suzuki delivered the go-ahead homer in Game 2 of the World Series, but his body gave up on him in Game 3.
With Gomes and Scherzer forming the new battery, the Nationals hope they continue the trend of success for the road team. The 2019 World Series marked the first time in the history of the Fall Classic that the road team won each of the first six games.
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