“We can’t lead the league in errors and expect to win,” says Blake Butera. DUH.
This axiomatic statement was evident in the last two Nationals series, against the Mets and the Brewers. The team went 3-3, committing 5 errors over the course of the three losses and zero errors over the course of the three wins. Defense. Defense. Defense.
And, we have to find a way to get hyped for the home games. With a home record of only 4-12, I sense a surge coming — especially with the Minnesota Twins as our next home opponent. Let’s get out the brooms!
Even as we’re kind of treading water in third place in the NL East, we’ve seen lots of positive steps over the last week. Pitching is improving and Butera is working hard at managing the staff during the games. Additionally, the front office is making moves in an effort to improve the staff. In just the last week, we signed RHPs Jacob Weaver, Zak Kent, Aaron Shortridge, and Sean Dubin. We also sent Cionel Perez down to AAA and called up Orlando Ribalta. Who knows how these new players will perform, but you can’t change things if you don’t try. The Nationals pitchers have the third highest ERA in all of MLB.
Perhaps the most amazing defensive play over the last week was the incredible jumping catch at the wall by James Wood to rob Juan Soto of a home run in NY. Wood’s defense has been improving, notwithstanding the fact that he lost a ball in the sun yesterday (it was ruled a hit and not an error).
The Nationals are still atop the leader board in offensive production — tied for third in runs scored. This week, we saw Brady House hit his first major league grand slam home run. Go on Brady! Abrams also is still raking on the regular.
Toboni says we’ll be the envy of sports. What does that mean? To me it means seeing everyone contributing and having fun. And winning, of course. I see the fun reflected in the photos above. Lile, Young, and Wood stacking hands with their gloves on the head. Celebrating a victory with dirty unis. Yesterday’s win where Nunez and Tena had all of the RBIs.
Have you checked out Nunez’s stats lately? In the last 9 games (8 starts):
9 for 24 (.375) at the plate
6 RBI
5 walks
4 stolen bases
4 runs scored
Has reached safely in all 8 starts. In my view, nearly all of the Nats players have the ability to have these hot streaks and carry the team for a week at a time. Who will be next?
In the last week, I journeyed through Vietnam to Saigon. Being old enough to remember a bit of the history of the Vietnam war, I found visiting some of the iconic historical sights and learning the south’s perspective of the war very interesting. Moving on to India.
Let’s be the envy of sports! (I think we’re making progress).
#thenatslady #theswarm
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