Yes folks, the Nationals started the second half of the season with a series loss to the Marlins. No major surprise except for maybe how the one win went. The Marlins had their sort of ace Dontrelle Willis on the mound and the Nationals ended up with 14 runs by games end. Then of course they scored a total of five runs over the next two games.
It was fun seeing Dmitri Young in the All Star Game considering all of the problems he’s had the past couple of years. I talked to a <a href=”http://www.tigerblog.net”>Detroit Tigers</a> fan and the one thing he told me was, when Young put his mind to it, he could rake. He must be motivated this year because that .336 batting average is nothing short of phenomonal on a team where he has basically no protection. His power numbers are down from an over the fence stand point, but he also could end up with close to 50 doubles. Anyway, Young is definitely a guy who’s put himself on the map and now with the trading deadline close, you wonder if the Nationals will see what they can get for him.
With a 4.77 ERA, the Nationals pitching is probably not as good as it looks. Matt Chico is the only guy who’s gone the season without missing his spot in the rotation and it’s not because he’s the man, it’s because he’s the only one not go down. Jason Simontacci leads team with six wins but he has an ERA north of six. Chad Cordero has been solid as the closer but he’s another one who might find himself shipped off to greener pastures.
Not to compare this team with the 2003 Tigers, but you look at the handful of guys left on that team and you wonder, if the Nationals contend anytime the rest of this decade, how different the team will be. Are we rooting for guys who won’t even be here when the team is good? We probably are but for Nationals fans, it’s all we have.
Next up is three against the struggling Astros. Maybe we can sneak a series win here with the Astros coming off of a sweep at the hands of the Cubs. Mike Bacsik gets the start in the opener this afternoon.
