Photo by Flickr user Kevin H.The Nationals may still be the worst team in the Major League, but at least they can hit. They currently lead the National League in OPS with .808, and are in the top three in the league in Batting Average, OBP, and Slugging. Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman are at the top of the National League in most offensive categories, with Elijah Dukes, Nick Johnson and Jesus Flores not far behind.
Unfortunately for the Nationals, the league requires the team to spend half the game on defense. The Nationals’ 33 errors are the most in the major leagues, and their .972 fielding percentage is the worst. Normally, the pitching staff would have a right to be upset about such poor defensive play, but a staff with the worst ERA in the National League, 5.42, the worst batting average against, at .288, the most number of walks,138, and the most wild pitches,18, has no business complaining about anything.
That said, things are not that bad in Nats Town. The team is 5-4 in the month of May, and only 10-14 when they don’t play the Marlins. Incidentally, the Marlins are only 11-15 when they don’t play the Nationals. If they could learn to field (Manny should make them run laps) they just might become a mediocre baseball team.
Ryan Zimmerman
Normally known for his slow starts, Ryan Zimmerman has responded well to being paid $45 million. He is currently batting .363, which is third highest in the National League, with eight homeruns, 26 RBIs, .408 OBP, .630 slugging, and 1.038 OPS. On top of that, he is currently on a 29-game hitting streak, which is the longest in baseball right now. He is more than halfway toward Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game hitting streak. Zimmerman is a long way from that record, but at least his streak gives fans a reason to pay attention to the team. If he continues the streak for a few more games, expect the national sports media to start paying attention.
Daniel Cabrera
The Nationals picked up Daniel Cabrera last off-season for $2.6 million. Cabrera, mainly due to his size and velocity, had been a promising prospect in the Orioles organization for years, but the Orioles eventually gave up on him due to his lack of consistency and control. That seems like a wise move given that the Nationals have lost every game that Cabrera has started. He is currently 0-4, with a 4.98 ERA. He leads the major leagues with eight wild pitches, and is tied for the league lead with 28 walks. After last night’s game, Nationals fans have to wonder how much longer Manager Manny Acta plans on trotting Cabrera out. After seven seasons, it is unlikely that Cabrera is going suddenly figure it out and become a fantastic, or even passable, pitcher. At this point, he is taking a roster spot from a pitcher who may become part of the team’s future.
Game of the Week: This week’s game of the week is Wednesday night’s game against the Giants, when Shairon Martis faces Barry Zito. Martis is 4-0 this season, and recently had a complete game victory. Look for Martis to continue to develop and maybe become a part of the Nationals’ future. Also, he is Dutch.
Briefly Noted: Sony pictures is creating a romantic comedy about a Nationals relief pitcher staring Owen Wilson… Nationals relief pitcher Logan Kensing likes to shoot pigs from helicopters… Lastings Milledge broke his finger… Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals’ presumed number one pick, pitched a No-Hitter.
Meaningless Statistic of the Week: Nationals pitchers are last in the National League in Fly Balls hit with 6.
