Get Used to Headline “Nationals Get Swept”
Submitted by Imaginary Diamond Blog
The Washington Nationals are just not set up for success this season. There are some talented offensive pieces, including puzzling signee Adam Dunn, but they don’t seem to mesh particularly well. Far less talent can be found on the pitching staff, namely in the rotation where John Lannan anchors a suspect group of average arms.
And the bullpen, oh, the bullpen. You know there’s a problem when Saul Rivera is the team’s ace setup man and Julian Tavarez is pitching in long relief. To make matters worse, guys named Steven Shell and Garrett Mock are key members of the relief corps. That’s exactly what the team’s pitchers are going to do: get “Shelled” and “Mocked.”
All three starters that pitched in a three-game sweep by the Marlins were rocked, the best performance coming from Daniel Cabrera in Florida’s final victory. Cabrera at least pitched beyond the third inning, getting shelled for five runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings. Opening Day starter John Lannan gave up six runs in three innings, while Scott Olsen allowed eight runs in three innings.
The Nationals’ schedule doesn’t get any easier with contests against division rivals stacked with contenders. In April, Washington plays six games against an improved Atlanta club, six games against the defending World Series champion Phillies, three games at the Mets, three games against Florida, and the first in a four-game series against St. Louis.
With 22 games slated, the Nationals would be extremely fortunate to go 7-15 to start the year. It won’t get any easier, either, with an eight-game western road swing early in May, interleague games against the powerful American League East, and six May road games in New York and Philadelphia.
Competition will be fierce between the Nats and Pirates for “Worst Team in Baseball” honors.
Money has been spent and moves have been made over the years, but the Nationals are in no better shape now than when since-resigned general manager Jim Bowden took over. The farm system is in shambles, free agent signees are ill-advised, fans aren’t coming to their new ballpark, and there is no sense of optimism that positive change is on the way.
That will certainly be the case in 2009 when the Nationals make a strong push for a second straight 100-loss season.
