Toboni has spoken: “I want to do a really diligent job exploring all those [trade] opportunities, because these guys deserve it. . . . [T]his team, they have the quote-unquote ‘it’ to them. I don’t know how it’s defined. Talent aside, they just get along great with each other. They challenge each other. The way the staff and players interact, it’s really cool. We’re gonna really try and compete and make a run.”
So far, the Nationals have traded Curtis Mead to the Red Sox for pitcher Connelly Early. Early is coming off an injury but should be doing a rehab start shortly. Let’s hope that Toboni saw the “it” factor in Early when Toboni was in the Red Sox organization. (Unfortunately, Mead go hit by a pitch in his second at bat with the Sox and broke is wrist.)
Jake Irvin came back from injury to pitch last night and looked unhittable through the first three innings. 9 up, 9 down. Ultimately he gave up five runs over 5 innings and the Nationals lost to the Braves 5-4. (Maybe he stayed in too long for a first start?) On the bright side, we got 3 scoreless innings from the ‘pen, which seems to be improving its stats. The team has used a whopping 31 pitchers so far this year!
We have 3 more with the Braves and then 4 with the Phillies. The wild card race remains tight and the outcome of these next few games may steer the rest of the season. We need to see the “it” factor. In 2019, the team had an uncanny way of pulling out one run games. So far this season, the team rarely has come back from a late deficit to win a game. We are good at scoring early and taking the lead but not good at holding it.
The team has improved dramatically its success rate in ABS challenges. Since July 12, te team leads MLB with a 77.8 % challenge success rate.
We still lead all of MLB in runs, RBI, home runs, and stolen bases. But, we also still lead the league in errors and have the 4th highest ERA against us.
I want to see more of Nas and CJ jumping at the end of the game. I want to see more of the team lining up for handshakes.
CJ had a kick ass week coming off the all-star break, earning National League player of the week. Garcia is also raking; last night he was a single short of the cycle. Lile hit two home runs last night. Wood not so much. We need everyone to contribute in the next week.
Natty got to attend his first game on Sunday. He’s getting so big!
We’re teetering around .500 and need to pour on the runs.
Let’s be the envy of sports!
#thenatslady #theswarm
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