Yankees vs. Nationals score: Defending World Series champs bounce back at home on Saturday

Washington pulled to 1-1 on the season with a win over New York on Saturday night

The New York Yankees and Washington Nationals played the second game of their season-opening series on Saturday night, and both teams now stand at 1-1 on the year after the Nats' 9-2 victory (box score). The hosts scored in abundance despite being without Juan Soto in the lineup, and across the way James Paxton endured a troubling start to his 2020. Victor Robles -- normally known for his skilled glove-work in center -- went 3 for 4 with a double and a homer. The Nats prevailed despite committing five errors in the field.

Now for some takeaways. 

Strasburg didn't go

The Nationals were supposed to send Stephen Strasburg to the bump for the first time since his glorious performance in Game 6 of the World Series. Alas, Strasburg was scratched hours before first pitch after he received an injection in his right hand to alleviate a nerve issue. He's considered day-to-day at this point. In Strasburg's place, the Nationals started Erick Fedde, who worked four solid innings. How quickly Strasburg recovers is of utmost importance to the Nationals. 

Paxton's concerning start

Another worry for the Yankee rotation? Lefty James Paxton didn't have it Saturday night in his 2020 debut. He lasted just one inning, and over that disappointingly brief span he allowed three runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk. Also let it known that this wasn't exactly a full-strength Nats lineup: 

You can dismiss the results of one start easily enough, especially a first start of the season coming off nothing resembling a normal offseason ramp-up. But Paxton's diminished velocity is a worry even in that context. He was in the low 90s with his fastball on Saturday night, and that's out of character. Given Paxton's substantial injury history, it's perhaps even more worrisome. 

The Yankee rotation is already depth-challenged right now, given that Luis Severino will miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and that Masahiro Tanaka is still sidelined with a mild concussion. In light of that, Paxton's throw day returns and especially his next start bear close monitoring.

Stanton's hot start continues

Yankees DH Giancarlo Stanton has legendary power, but injuries limited him to just 18 games played and three homers last season. While the Yankees boast plenty of offensive depth, they could really use a vintage Stanton in 2020. He homered in the opener, and then on Saturday night he hit home run No. 2 in as many games. And this one was one to see: 

Yep, that one went 483 feet with an absurd exit velocity of more than 121 mph. In that Statcast era -- i.e., since 2015 -- that's the second-hardest home run on record. (Stanton, not coincidentally, owns the top spot on that last with a 121.7 mph homer in 2018.) Yes, we're talking about one swing of the bat, but ringing up that kind of exit velocity -- even once -- is a very promising near- to mid-term indicator for a hitter. Health will always be a concern for Stanton, but so far he's looking like his peak self. Speaking of which, he also doubled later in the game.