Today was a punch in the intestines of the Washington Nationals. In fact, this whole road trip was a massive left hook to the liver, for the team that won the series against the Dodgers and D-back.
Frankly, not a lot has happened, so there’s not much to sum up in this game. Oneil Cruz’s leadoff home run constituted all the points in this ball game. While Trevor Williams gave up on many baserunners, he got out of the jam and did a good job using the veteran moxie.
In the final two games, the Nationals starter allowed two runs in 11 innings, but both Mitchell Parker and Trevor Williams were charged with losses. Today, you can’t even blame the bullpen, which is often criticized. They did their job once today. Lucas Sims came in and pitched a beautiful inning. After him, Jose A. Feller did an incredible job overcoming two innings. The ball was flying out of both hands.
However, the attacks looked completely energetic, but this is based on the past few games. Throughout the first two weeks of the season, the offense looked different to the awful units we saw in 2024. Yes, they attacked too much, but they were driving the ball and picking up additional base hits. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m grateful that they are trying something new.
However, the violation has returned to type. The bat ground ball out and the uncompetitive parade we saw last year are back. That extra base power has also disappeared. Finally, with a nut 25 inningsthey only have two additional base hits, Nathaniel Lowdouble and James Wood Homer. The attack appears to be seen in recent years of Darnell Coles’ crimes.
One thing I’ve really not liked over the last few days is the lack of energy. It appears that many people are moving there. On paper, this team is far better than the 2023 group, but that team brought it every night. This team doesn’t do that.
This doesn’t look like the advance season that everyone wanted. Of course, is that still possible, it’s April 17th. But going 2-5 against the Marlins and the Pirates probably isn’t a good view. If you can’t defeat the bottom feeder, what would it make you?
This team has been underground in the National League for a long time. 2019 is beginning to feel like a distant memory, but it gave the Nationals Brain Trust a seemingly endless rope.
If an attack spits out in Colorado, you need a consequence. Darnell Coles should never have returned in the first place, but if the attack remains unhealthy against the guilty Rockies team, he should show the door.
The Nationals seem happy to lose now. I really hate this negative because I love the team, but it’s hard to find a silver lining right now.
