Nats Notebook- See You Next Spring!

PORTIONS PREVIOUSLY APPEARING ON WTOP.COM-

How is this for symmetry? The season that began with three straight losses to the New York Mets ends with three straight losses to the Mets. As the year wraps up and the Nationals finish 55-107 for their worst mark since moving to DC, we let the dust settle quickly before moving on. It’s been quite a year, as we witnessed with the departure of future franchise cornerstone Juan Soto two-plus year before Free Agency.

Aint Missing You- Sometimes both parties are hurting after the breakup. Juan Soto finished the season by hitting .236 for San Diego after batting .246 for the Nats. Other numbers adjusted for 162 games were: 99 runs scored with the Washington to 97 for the Padres, 34 homers for DC to 19 for SD, 74 RBI for the Nationals to 50 for the Padres. It was worse for Josh Bell who batted .192 out west after hitting .301 with the Nats (he was the team’s leading hitter before his plate appearances no longer qualified). Runs scored projected over 162 games (82 to 79) didn’t take that much of a hit but his other numbers cratered: 38 doubles to 15, 22 homers to 9, and 90 RBI to 43. Have fun facing the Dodgers!

Digesting the Division- Atlanta (101-61) only needed to win one game to wrap up the NL East and they did so, owning the tiebreaker over the New York Mets (101-61) who were in first place for the first 138 games of the season and 176 days overall. There’s no banner for that-only the Wild Card round. And 101 regular season wins is no guarantee of advancing in the postseason as we learned Sunday night. Philadelphia (87-75) finished a game ahead of Milwaukee for the final playoff spot and swept NL Central champ St. Louis (it feels like the No. 6 team always beat the Central champ when the NFL expanded its playoffs too). They face Atlanta in the NLDS. Miami (69-93) finished with the record I thought the Nats would post at the beginning of the year as Don Mattingly steps down from the Marlins’ dugout, while the Nationals (55-107) take last place for the third straight year.

Birds Learning to Fly- No, they don’t give banners for “Most Improved!” but one needs to tip the cap to the Orioles who recorded their first winning season since 2016. While they didn’t make the playoffs one has to feel the building blocks are there. The average age of their batters was the sixth youngest in MLB this year and the average age of their pitchers was the seventh youngest in the Majors. It’s morning in the Charm City…

Last Week’s Heroes- Alex Call and Riley Adams each hit .333 with a homer and two RBI. Reliever Erasmo Ramirez tossed three scoreless innings over two games while Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey each threw two scoreless over two outings.

Last Week’s Humbled- starting pitching was an issue all season, and for rookie Cory Abbott to post the best outing after allowing four runs over four innings says something. Erick Fedde allowed nine runs over 2.2 innings and Paolo Espino got one out while being charged for five runs (doing the math that is an ERA of 189.0 for that start). Luke Voit ended the season in a 1-for-12 slump (.083) while Lane Thomas’ 1-for-11 dipped his season batting average to .241.

Taking stock of the season- Cesar Hernandez led the team in hits (139), batting average among qualifiers (.248), runs (64), doubles (28), and triples (4). Nelson Cruz was the top RBI man (64) while Lane Thomas’ 17 homers wasn’t enough to surpass Juan Soto’s 21 over the final two months (he had eight after Soto’s trade). Of course Joey Meneses (.324 with 13 HR and 34 RBI over 56 games) won the late-summer/dog days of the season. Josiah Gray led the team with seven wins but did not post a victory after July 6. Patrick Corbin recorded a team-high 152.2 innings but went 6-19 with an ERA of 6.31. Hunter Harvey had the best ERA out of the bullpen at 2.52 while Tanner Rainey led the club with 12 saves.

Keys for 2023- pitching, pitching, and more pitching. They need to get some quality arms in-house to move guys like Erick Fedde and Josiah Gray from the 1-2 or 2-3 spots in the rotation to 3-4 or 4-5. Patrick Corbin needs to figure out what’s going on after two historically bad seasons: the last pitcher to lead the NL in losses consecutive years was Phil Niekro (from 1978-80) and the last pitcher to lead the Majors in defeats back to back seasons was Roger Craig in 1962-63 (he was with the expansion Mets so he kind of gets a pass here). Sadly the Nationals can’t expect to get anything at this point from the oft-injured Stephen Strasburg who has pitched 31.1 innings since being named World Series MVP (he tossed 36.1 innings in the playoffs that October).

At the plate and in the field the Nats need a leadoff hitter (Nationals leadoff hitters ranked 27th in batting average and 28th in on base percentage this year) as well as a third baseman (on base percentage + slugging ranked 27th) and perhaps a designated hitter (26th). Maybe Carter Kieboom comes back after having Tommy John Surgery to claim the spot they were hoping he’d claim in 2020.

Nats Notebook- Their Own Worst Enemy?

PORTIONS PREVIOUSLY APPEARING ON WTOP.COM-

Have you ever tried to walk with a stone in your shoe? You deal with discomfort for the first few steps, and eventually can’t walk nearly as well–and forget about running. The Nationals are on pace to finish 54-108 which would be their worst record since moving to Washington. And they aren’t doing themselves any favors:  the lineup has grounded into an MLB-high 37 double plays, the pitching staff’s 141 walks issued is second most in the majors, and the team’s 27 errors are the most in the big leagues.  It’s tough enough to compete with a rotation that’s minus starters Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross while putting together a lineup that outside of Juan Soto and Josh Bell isn’t scaring anybody, but this year’s team is beating itself on a daily basis.  Until they stop dragging themselves down, the Nationals will find it extremely difficult to climb out of the NL East cellar.

Digesting the Division- the first place New York Mets (23-13) finally lost a series in 2022, dropping two of three to Seattle. Second place Philadelphia (17-18) was this close to getting over .500 for the first time since April 12 before wasting a 4-2 eighth inning lead Sunday at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bryce Harper (.305 with nine homers and 27 RBI) continues to hit despite a partially torn UCL-while he can still hit he can’t throw for four weeks. Thank goodness for the universal DH. Third place Atlanta (16-19) and fourth place Miami (15-19) each dropped two of three over the weekend while the Nationals (12-24) did the same.

O’s Woes- the Birds (14-21) dropped three straight in Detroit after taking two of three in St. Louis (the first-ever visit Busch Stadium visit for the franchise that left St. Louis in 1953). They were held to three runs over the weekend by the Tigers pitching, not unexpected for a lineup that ranks 28th in the majors in scoring. Causes for confidence include a relief corps led by Cionel Perez (one earned run allowed in 10.1 innings this year), Jorge Lopez (two in 17), and Keegan Akin (four in 21).

Last Week’s Heroes- Nelson Cruz batted .364 with six RBI while Juan Soto led the team with five runs scored while hitting two homers, one of which was his first homer this year with a runner on base. Erasmo Ramirez tossed 4.1 scoreless innings over three appearances while Victor Arano tossed 2.1 scoreless frames of relief.

Last Week’s Humbled- Dee Strange-Gordon hit .214 while Lane Thomas batted .200. Leadoff hitter Cesar Hernandez went .190 at the plate with seven strikeouts. Josiah Gray allowed six runs over six innings in his lone start of the week while Erick Fedde gave up three runs over four frames and Joan Adon lasted just 3.2 innings in his start (allowing three runs). Patrick Corbin tossed five and six innings in his two starts, but remains winless in 2022.

Game to Watch- Wednesday the Nationals wrap up their series with Miami who pitches Pablo Lopez (4-1, 1.05 ERA). The righthander struck out 11 in his most recent start and tossed six scoreless innings in his April outing against the Nationals. The Nats pitch Josiah Gray who struck out 10 in his April start against the Marlins.

Game to Miss- Saturday the Nationals are in Milwaukee and start Patrick Corbin (0-6, 6.28 ERA) against Brandon Woodruff (5.97 ERA). I’m going to pass up this one, put on the madras jacket and breathable fedora, and enjoy the Preakness-even minus Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike.

Nats Notebook- And away we go!!!

PORTIONS PREVIOUSLY APPEARING ON WTOP.COM-

Some things can’t be delayed. Rain can push back the start of the season while lighting issues at the stadium can postpone a game’s first pitch, but eventually you’ve got to face the music. The Nationals began their first non-Playoffs-or-bust season since 2011 with three losses in four games to the East Division favorite New York Mets, rallying Sunday to avoid a sweep at home. The journey is underway and even though the destination might not be ideal, lets enjoy the upcoming twists and turns of 2022 as best as we can.

Maxterful- his different-colored eyes no longer stare at us from right field like the cover of The Great Gatsby, but the former ace of the pitching staff and one of the top five players I’ve covered in my lifetime was back on the mound Friday to deliver defeat to this onetime team. Scherzer was decent (six strikeouts while allowing three runs over six innings) in his Mets regular season debut and he also received a standing ovation when he reached the mound in the first inning, just like he saw cheers the night before when he took his place alongside his new teammates for the Opening Night National Anthem. And there were cheers during the tribute video as well that played before Thursday’s game. We’ll not see his like on that mound in a Nats uniform for some time.

O’s Woes- the Nats’ win Sunday means the Birds are the only winless team in MLB after one weekend. The four runs scored over three games matched the Nationals start. Will we see a second straight (and fifth time in six years) last place finish in the AL East and are they going wire to wire in that regard? I have heard how the Orioles have the best farm system in baseball, so hopefully we’ll see some of those prospects make their debuts in the bigs to distract us from another potential 100-loss season.

Digesting the Division- four games into 2022 it’s basically a look at how teams fared in their opening series of the season. The Mets (3-1) are a half game better than the Phillies for first who are a half game better than defending world champion Atlanta, who’s one half game better than Miami who at least no longer has Derek Jeter running the team into the ground. Then there are the Nationals who are the new Marlins with back to back last place finishes in 2020 and 2021. Again, we’re only four games into the season.

Last Week’s Heroes- Nelson Cruz’ bat woke up at the right time Sunday, delivering a homer and then a 2-run single for the DH. His 3 RBI pace the team, while Josh Bell and Keibert Ruiz are tied for the team lead with 4 hits apiece. Erick Fedde tossed 5 innings in his first start of the season while relievers Sean Doolittle, Tanner Rainey, and Kyle Finnegan each posted two scoreless innings of relief in the series with the Mets.

Last Week’s Humbled- starting pitchers Patrick Corbin and Josiah Gray failed to get outs in the fifth inning of their starts. That’s not “failed to get out of the fifth”, but “failed to get outs in”-putting additional pressure on a bullpen that is in danger of being fried by the end of May if things continue at this pace. Austin Voth notched the highest ERA of the week at 13.50. Maikel Franco hit 1-13 with 4 strikeouts while leadoff hitter Cesar Hernandez batted .188 with no walks.

Game to Watch- from the division favorite to the defending champs. Monday the Nats visit Atlanta with former fourth starter Anibal Sanchez (15-13 with a 4.52 ERA with the team in 2019-20) is supposed to make his return to the rotation after a year away. Given what we’ve seen so far from the starters (average outing of four and a third innings) I’m not expecting the world, but in a year where we’ve already seen Max as a Met one month before seeing Trea Turner as a Dodger it’s nice to have somebody from 2019 still suiting up for Washington.

Game to Miss- after three games with the Braves a trip to Pittsburgh may be just what the doctor ordered. But even though they begin their series with the Pirates Thursday, I’ll be focused on a Capitals team that begins a five-game road trip that night by visiting Toronto. It’s amazing that even though the Caps won their Stanley Cup a year before the Nats won their World Series the nucleus of Ovechkin and others is still skating in DC while the next baseball era is already here. I’m going to enjoy these Caps while I still can.

Nationals Preview- Constructing the next Contender.

PORTIONS PREVIOUSLY APPEARING ON WTOP.COM-

For the first time in over a decade, the Opening Day expectations for the Washington Nationals are, how shall we say it? Relaxed? Reduced? Somewhat different?  After making the playoffs five times from 2012-19 and having the World Series nucleus mostly intact for the two seasons following their title, the 2022 edition will have a rather different flavor. It’s not the days of Nuke Logan’s baserunning blunders, the I missing from Ryan Zimmerman’s home jersey, or sausage pellets raining on fans, but it’s safe to say that putting down the mortgage money on a postseason berth (even with the expanded field) might not be the wisest thing to do.  The building towards the next postseason run began last summer with the shedding of veterans and their salaries and phase two starts Thursday when the Nats host the New York Mets (weather permitting).

For starters, you will need to purchase a scorecard or at least print a roster off of your computer. Six of the eight starting position players on Opening Day last year are not with the team, and that doesn’t include pitcher Max Scherzer or multiple bench players like Carter Kieboom or Luis Garcia. The fans and the media aren’t the only ones noticing a vastly different clubhouse in 2022. “Yeah it’s definitely weird but I mean it’s part of baseball,” said Erick Fedde, who in the last year has gone from one of the young kids to one of the veteran voices. “There are so many times where you see a guy for the last time in your life when he gets sent down or traded.”

But while this team won’t be the oldest in the Majors as they were the last three years, the Nats won’t be as young as the pre-contention clubs of 10-15 years ago. “I think we have an awesome mix of veteran guys with a lot of experience and a lot of younger guys,” once and former reliever Sean Doolitte said. “It’s really good to have that mix because you get the hunger and the fire and the energy from the youngers guys and balance that with the experience of the older guys- it keeps us young.”

Nelson Cruz is 41 years old and this will be his seventh big league team. He likes the world he’s stepping into on South Capitol Street. “Great group of guys: young and veterans. We’re all pretty tight and pull for each other and that’s what you’re looking for. You want to have the good teammates, you know?” Cruz has hit 30+ home runs in each of the seven non-pandemic seasons. He was brought in to provide lineup protection for All Star Juan Soto who led the majors last year with 145 walks (the next four-most walked in the lineup combined for 156 free passes). Cruz wrapped up Spring Training with the bang of a grand slam against the Mets Tuesday, and even though Grapefruit League stats are fool’s gold the veteran is pleased with how he’s swinging the bat. “I’m where I want to be. I worked on different stuff (at the plate) in Spring Training,things that I believe witll help me for the season,” Cruz said. “But also it’s nice to know that everything’s be put on that are clicking.”

How much the lineup clicks will depend on other offseason pickups like Cesar Hernandez, who might not have the typical leadoff-hitter look (more than double the strikeouts to walks in each of the last three years) but will be expected to be the team’s table-setter. Josh Bell recovered from a slow start to drive in 88 runs last year, closer to his ceiling of 116 in 2019. Catcher Kiebert Ruiz will be expected to make strides while the third base eyesore of the last two seasons has been patched up by ex-Brave Maikel Franco. And then there’s Victor Robles at the bottom of the order. The former phenom is only 24 years old, but saw his 2021 go from leading off the lineup to winding up in AAA.

While the last-place Nationals still finished with the fourth best batting average in MLB last year, team ERA ballooned to 4.80 which ranked 24th in the big leagues. If this team is going to find its way out of the NL East cellar in 2022, they’re going to need much better pitching. And the team’s best pitcher over the last seven years (Max Scherzer) was traded at the deadline last summer, while their second best pitcher (Stephen Strasburg) has tossed only 26.2 innings due to injuries over the last two years. That means Patrick Corbin will become the first man not named Max or Stephen starting Opening Day for the Nats since Livan Hernandez took the mound in 2011. “You’re excited, obviously. It’s gonna feel like a playoff game out there,” Corbin said. “I’m prepared to go out there and just be myself and I know what I’m capable of doing. Like I said it’s going to be fun.”

Corbin was the final piece of the World Series-winning rotation in 2019, going 14-7 with a 3.25 ERA during the regular season and winning Game Seven of the World Series in relief. But the last two years have been a nightmare: 11-23 with a 5.49 ERA while leading the league in losses and earned runs allowed in 2021. What will the key be for the lefthander to get back on the right track? “Just locating my fastball, getting back to that and simplifying things. Being back to controlling my slider,” Corbin said. “I think my slider has always been right, it’s just the command of the fastball, falling behind guys, things like that.” Stephen Strasburg is on the shelf until at least May, so pitching behind Corbin will be Josiah Gray (he’s slated to pitch against Max Scherzer- the very guy who was traded to the Dodgers for Gray last July). Erick Fedde , Joan Adon, plus once-and-current National Anibal Sanchez round out the rotation in pencil, but one thinks we’ll see prime prospect Cade Cavalli at some point this summer.

A shortened Spring Training delivered with it quite a bit of anxiety surrounding the team’s arms. It takes a certain amount of throwing to be able to handle the amount of innings during a regular season. And sixteen exhibitions is not ideal: think of a pitcher’s arm as a cake that’s baking in the oven. It’s not ready until its ready. That means perhaps additional pressure on the bullpen as the starters get their arms into form. That also means usage of relievers will be looked at under a microscope as one doesn’t want to burn the bullpen in April. “I think we brought some extra guys so that we have the depth. With camp shortened everybody’s kind of dealing with the same thing,” Doolittle said. “I think we have some different matchups and different looks that we can slice the back half of the game up and we can get it done so that’s gonna be April for pretty much every team here this season. But I think we’re in a good spot.”

The Nationals begin the 2022 season with seven straight games against NL East foes, from hosting the preseason favorite New York Mets and continuing by visiting defending World Series champ Atlanta. Starting slow has become synonymous with the Davey Martinez era (they were 10-12 last April 30th, 12-16 in 2019, and 13-16 in 2018) and this team doesn’t have the margin of error that a Max Scherzer in the rotation or an Anthony Rendon in the lineup can provide. “It really does take a special team to come back from being down in a hole and I think any team would prefer to be in front of the 8-ball I guess in that sense to start the season,” Fedde said. “Hopefully we can break that trend and get off to a hot start this year.”