At 6-16, the Nationals are currently the worst team in baseball. I wish that I could find some ray of hope, but when fellow fans in my section of Nationals Park lamented when pitcher Tim Redding was pulled from last night’s game, it was because batting .222 makes him an offensive weapon on this team. In fact, he had the only RBIs in last night’s game. The middle of the lineup is currently batting .209, and the team is 14th in the National League in runs scored, with 78. Those numbers would doom any team, but are particularly bad considering that the Nats are 15th in the league in team ERA, at 4.75. So, the team is scoring 3.5 runs per game, and giving up 4.75. It is a wonder that they have won 6, some may even say “a miracle”.
Chad Cordero
After starting the season injured, and then failing to break 80 mph against the Mets on April 16, the Nationals became very concerned about Chad Cordero’s health. The Chief claimed that the velocity problems were do to the cold, and an insufficient warm up. The team still had an enhanced MRI done, and the results are “rotator cuff tendinitis,” but nothing more. Chad needs to build up some strength, but will not require surgery and is not going to go on the DL. The team needs him to shore up a bullpen that currently leads the National League in walks, has the fourth highest team ERA, and the fourth highest number of runs allowed.
Felipe Lopez
One of the few surprises this season has been Felipe Lopez. After starting the season on the bench, Lopez has earned a spot as the Nationals’ starting second baseman. While he is only batting .255, he has gotten on base in 4 of his 5 starting games, and has brought some life to the top of the Nationals order. Lopez has been rewarded by becoming John Smoltz’s 3,000th strike out victim. Lopez is following Mike Bacsik, who gave up Barry Bond’s 756th homerun last year, on an infamous path to the Hall of Fame. I guess it will be nice to see some curly Ws in there, no matter how they got in.
Briefly Noted
First, congratulations to Rob Mackowiak on his first hit of the season. Sure, he is only batting .077 with 5 strikeouts in 13 at bats, but at least…hmm… Boswell thinks that the team is putting too much pressure on itself because of the new stadium… Paid attendance at last night’s game was 32,780, the biggest crowd since opening day.
Meaningless Statistic of the Week: The Nationals are currently tied with the Giants for least number of intentional walks granted while playing at home, with 1.
