To gauge just how unusual this season has been for the Washington Nationals and those who follow them, it took until mid-May to get a three game losing streak. In the past, it seemed like it never took more than three days to get there, even if only two games were scheduled. This unexpected fortune has the patient (to a fault?) front office making decisions like DFA’ing “prized” free agent Brian Bruney. The reliever was as reliable as BP’s safety record and he’s now paid the price. In his place comes the other first round draft pick from last year, Drew Storen (Nats Insider and Nationals Journal respectively). The bullpen is the team’s biggest weakness right now and outside of closer Matt Capps it has been quite unreliable. Tyler Cippard, so strong through the first month of the season is having trouble lately. He gave up Colorado’s winning run yesterday and has achieved 7 victories in part because he allowed inherited runners to score and got bailed out by the Nats taking the lead in the subsequent inning. Storen isn’t going to be facing too much pressure yet, but I think he’ll get the opportunity to pitch in tight ballgames sooner than later.
On April 5, a 20-18 start was beyond the dreams of all but the most delusional of fanboys. Now with two games in St. Louis against the Cardinals, the team is in danger of coming back to D.C. at .500. The expectations have been raised to the point where that is a major let down. The silver lining though is the schedule gets “easier” by the standards of preseason prognostication. It was said the Nats had the toughest first 40 games in baseball. They ought not count on that theory to figure out their hitting woes and bullpen strategy.
Good to be back, I’m eager to contribute after the stint on the DL.