It's Times Like These: Cardinals @ Nats Series Preview

 
Pitching Matchups, Times, & TV Listings 

• Monday, April 22nd, 7:05PM - Dan Haren v. Shelby Miller (MASN HD)
• Tuesday, April 23rd, 7:05PM - Ross Detwiler v. Adam Wainwright (MASN HD)
• Wednesday, April  24th, 1:05PM - Stephen Strasburg v. Jaime Garcia (MASN HD)

 

Coming off a disappointing series with the New York Mets, the Nationals now get to head back home for a 7-game home stand against two of the NL Central's best.  The first series of the home stand will be against the St. Louis Cardinals, in their first matchup since last season's NLDS (all info on that has been redacted).

Series Preview

When the Nationals season ended last year, Nats fans anxiously awaited circling this matchup on the 2013 schedule.  The Washington Nationals, and even moreso their fans, are looking for revenge. The Nats are looking to get back to their top-flight performance AND get last season's postseason experience off their chest, all in one 3-game set. 

In his last start, Dan Haren showed signs that he is finding his form.  He may not have finished strong, but it was something to build on.  Haren is really going to want to get the Nats off to a good start in this series on Monday.

Ross Detwiler has been lights-out and will hope to continue his strong start against the Cardinals ace on Tuesday night.  

Stephen Strasburg has been a little shaky, nowhere near Cy Young expectations, and he will look to find his form when he pitches during a businessman's special against Jaime Garcia.

This will be Anthony Rendon's first full series as a major leaguer, after his early call up due to a Zimmerman injury.  He will get to settle into the big leagues in this series, as he looks for his first hit in the MLB.

The Mets series was highlighted by a lot of errors, both physical and mental.  The Cardinals aren't going to leave those mistakes on the table, they are going to take advantage.  The Nats are going to have to clean up their act if they want to escape with a series win.

Song of the Series: Times Like These - Foo Fighters

This song explains the story of redemption and adjusting to your current situation.  The Nationals may not currently like the situation they are in, as they have definitely not performed to their highest level of potential.  The chorus states, "it's times like these you learn to live again, it's times like these you give and give again, it's times like these you learn to love again,  it's times like these time and time again." 

Baseball is a long season and there will be many low points, but also many high points.  The Nationals will eventually find their rhythm, but then they may hit another slump in their season, only to regain their stride and get back into their winning ways.  That's just how baseball works.  Sure this current situation may not be enjoyable, but when the Nationals get out of it, that is when you will learn to love them again.

(Editors Note: I Picked The Slow Version Because the Cards make me Sad)

Matchup to Watch: Nats Fans vs Pete Kosma & Daniel Descalso

Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso left a bad taste in the mouths of Nationals' fans in October last year.  Similar to Bucky Dent and the hatred he receives from the Red Sox community, Pete Kozma was talked about a lot over the off-season, and not in a way that he would enjoy. And let's not forget his accomplice, Daniel Descalso, who played a major role in what happened that unfortunate October night.  Will the Nats boo and taunt these two men, or will they be greeted with applause and respect?  Ehh, who am I kidding, we all know how that is going to turn out.

Classic Matchup Moment

The greatest day in Washington Nationals history...

 

Written By Kevin Craig