The Washington Nationals are going deep into the second week of the season pretty well. They swept the Mets, fortuitously, 3-0 to begin, then won 1 of 3 against the nemesis Braves, and now have played tough to sweep the Marlins, 3-0, and sit on top of the National League East Division. It is early, obviously, in a 162 game marathon, but the signs are so much better than last year.
Emphasis on last year. The Nationals, a team picked to win it all based on talent and depth, played flat and uninspiring ball until about August, and it was too little too late.
All teams go through downers and slumps, but it helps to generally stay ahead of the others, from beginning to end. Last year was one overall disappointment with a couple of surges.
Now again, the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals have never even made it to the World Series, let alone win a championship ring. And they have existed since the 1960s. That is a complete lifetime for quite a few people, including me. Keep in mind a few other teams have never done it: the Seattle Mariners, nor the San Diego Padres or Texas Rangers. But the latter two have made it to the Fall Classic. Only to fail to teams that have won it multiple times.
So, Strasburg pitched really well and got his first win in three starts. The first, opening day, was an escape from a bad outing, and the Nats scraped a comeback win in New York. Then he earned the loss against the aforementioned Braves. So it was time for the ace to come through. He got some defensive help and serendipity in the first inning, escaping some easy Marlin runs or a bigger inning, and he cruised a while until good relief came to do its job. Another area that was poor for the pre-season favs last year was relief pitching. This year? So far, so good. Keep your fingers crossed.
There have been a couple throwers used that are new or novices, and they have shown their mettle.
Oh, and for offense: the Nats are hitting and scoring, many of the runs in the precise moment necessary. Anthony Rendon? Second baseman who can switch over to 3rd base if needs be? 9 game hitting streak. I think there are some Hall of Fame hitters that have never had nine game hitting streaks.
Guys are remaining healthy, and Ryan "The Natural" Zimmerman is back. Bryce and Jayson Werth get huge clops, as Chaim Potok would say.
Anyway, so far, so good.
Nats win! 25 or so regular season weeks left, and another 2-3 to the World Series.
2014. It can happen.
Natitude.
Blog on, EMC.
Emphasis on last year. The Nationals, a team picked to win it all based on talent and depth, played flat and uninspiring ball until about August, and it was too little too late.
All teams go through downers and slumps, but it helps to generally stay ahead of the others, from beginning to end. Last year was one overall disappointment with a couple of surges.
Now again, the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals have never even made it to the World Series, let alone win a championship ring. And they have existed since the 1960s. That is a complete lifetime for quite a few people, including me. Keep in mind a few other teams have never done it: the Seattle Mariners, nor the San Diego Padres or Texas Rangers. But the latter two have made it to the Fall Classic. Only to fail to teams that have won it multiple times.
So, Strasburg pitched really well and got his first win in three starts. The first, opening day, was an escape from a bad outing, and the Nats scraped a comeback win in New York. Then he earned the loss against the aforementioned Braves. So it was time for the ace to come through. He got some defensive help and serendipity in the first inning, escaping some easy Marlin runs or a bigger inning, and he cruised a while until good relief came to do its job. Another area that was poor for the pre-season favs last year was relief pitching. This year? So far, so good. Keep your fingers crossed.
There have been a couple throwers used that are new or novices, and they have shown their mettle.
Oh, and for offense: the Nats are hitting and scoring, many of the runs in the precise moment necessary. Anthony Rendon? Second baseman who can switch over to 3rd base if needs be? 9 game hitting streak. I think there are some Hall of Fame hitters that have never had nine game hitting streaks.
Guys are remaining healthy, and Ryan "The Natural" Zimmerman is back. Bryce and Jayson Werth get huge clops, as Chaim Potok would say.
Anyway, so far, so good.
Nats win! 25 or so regular season weeks left, and another 2-3 to the World Series.
2014. It can happen.
Natitude.
Blog on, EMC.
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