Nationals Second Half Preview

With the Home Run Derby and All Star Game in the books, it is time to look ahead to what the second half of the season has in store for the Nats.  Here are a few quick facts and highlights from the schedule:

• 79 games.  47 (~60%) against NL East Rivals.  44 (~56%) against teams with winning records at the break.

July:

• 19 games, 15 divisional games, 10 vs winners, 1 off day.
• July 13-16: 4 game series against the Marlins.
• July 20-22: 4 game series against the Braves.
•  Braves DOUBLE HEADER July 21.

August:

• 29 games, 17 divisional games, 17 vs winners, 3 off days.
• August 3-5: 4 game series against the Marlins.
• Marlins DOUBLE HEADER August 3.

• August 13-15: Road series vs Giants.
• August 30: STRASBURG SHUTDOWN WINDOW OPEN

September:

• 28 games, 12 divisional games, 17 vs winners, 2 off days.
• September 3-6: 4 game series against the Cubs.
• September 5: STRASBURG SHUTDOWN WINDOW CLOSED
• September 7-9: Final Marlins series.
• September 10-12: Final Mets series.
• September 14-16: Final Braves series.
• September 18-20: 3 games against the Dodgers.

October:

• 3 games, 3 divisional games, 0 vs winners.
• October 1-3: Final regular season series.  Versus Philly.

Take Aways:

• July is going to give us two huge 4 games series against our division rivals that could sway the balance of power.
• The Marlins are 9 games back right now.  Depending how their July goes, the 4 game series against us in August could decide their playoff lives.  Giants will be looking for payback.
• Big four game series against the Cubs to pad our record before running the final gauntlet of division rivals.  The Dodgers are thrown in there for good measure.
• The Strasburg shutdown window is based on his current innings projection and assuming no changes/injury to the rotation. Presumed rotation is Zimmermann, Gonzalez, Strasburg, Jackson, Detwiler.

Season Preview: Nationals Batting Order

The Nationals are starting the season two starters short.  Most of the Nats have batted all over the lineup and if they haven't they probably will this season.  This is really hard to predict, and Davy Johnson is sure to do a lot of tweaking:

1.  Ian Desmond:  The Nationals have never really had a leadoff hitter.  They think that Desmond can be the man although last season he batted 2nd a lot as well as at the bottom of the lineup.  He did lead the team with 25 steals, only 26th best in the majors.

2.  Danny Espinosa:  Espy had a surprising rookie year with 21 home runs.  Like Desmond he has moved all over the lineup, often batting in the 6th spot due to his power potential.  This year they are gonna start him in the 2nd slot, but we could see Werth there as well.

3.  Ryan Zimmerman:  This guy is the 3 man.  He is a Nationals staple.  Despite Morse leading the team in almost every batting stat including average, the Nats like Zimmerman in this spot due to his consistency.

4.  Michael Morse/Adam LaRoche:  LaRoche had a terrible offensive year last season before he was injured.  He played 42 games and hit .172.  That is worse than terrible.  With Morse returning to the lineup soon LaRoche will probably move down to 6th to make room for Matt.

5.  Jayson Werth:  While Werth followed up one of his best seasons with an egg for the Nationals he still ended up with 20 home runs.  His numbers were down just about across the board, but if he can at least get a little bit closer to his 2010 form, he will have a good rebound year.  If.

6:  Adam LaRoche/Mark DeRosa:  As discussed already LaRoche may find himself down in the lineup.  DeRosa is just a fill in the blank guy.  He will fill in on different guys off days and probably move all over the lineup.

7:  Rick Ankiel/Roger Bernadina:  Ankiel has lost quite a bit of his power over the last few years and will probably be towards the end of the lineup.  Bernadina is just filling in and he can lead off or bat just about anywhere in the lineup as well.

8:  Wilson Ramos:  WilRam showed a little bit of power in his "rookie" year.  He hit 15 home runs. He found himself up in the lineup at times last season but Davy Johnson pretty much liked him hitting back here.

9:  Pitcher Spot:  Hopefully Gio can figure out how to survive an at bat...

Bryce Harper:  We are going to wait a month to find out where the Nats are at when Bryce comes up.  It's too early right now.

Season Preview: The Nationals Bullpen

This season the Nationals have three guys who have some decent closing experience.  The young starting pitching staff should be able to go deep most nights, and these guys will be available to finish games:

Drew Storen (Closer):  Storen has been the closer in training for the last few years.  In 2011 he ended the season with 43 saves as the Nationals official closer.  He got about 1 K per inning last season, but he starts the season on the 15 day DL with an elbow issue.

Brad Lidge:  Lidge will start the season out as the closer as Storen heals and will move to a 7th inning type guy (I think).  Lidge was known for choking away big games and has been demoted from his closer role on multiple occasions by multiple teams.  We can only wait and see if we signed the dominant Lidge or the not so great Lidge.

Tyler Clippard:  Clippard made the All-Star team last season as an 8th inning set-up man.  This is a fairly new and unique "position" and Clippard has been lights out leading the league last season with 38.  In fact the Nats like him in this position so much they are having him stay in the position despite the injury to Storen.

Henry Rodriguez:  This guy fires the ball to the plate like nobody else at freak speeds often hitting 100 on the radar gun.  H-Rod averaged over 1 strikeout per inning last year and is a young fireball throwing pitcher, which could be good in the middle innings, or possibly if he has to close out a game.

The pitching staff includes only two lefties, which isn't exactly great.  Tom Gorzelanny, a demoted starter, and Sean Burnett who is in the league mainly because he is a lefty.  The other two righties that will start the season in the pen are Craig Stammen, a minor league type that the Nats tried to use as a starter in the past, and Ryan Mattheus, who pitched well in his first season in the majors last year.

Season Preview: Defense: The Nationals Infield

The Nats may finally start opening day with a lineup that they want.  The infield appears healthy for opening day with some guys who could be in town for a few seasons to come:

(3B) Ryan Zimmerman:  Zim is the anchor of the infield and after this winter's contract extension he should find himself at the hot corner until 2019 in DC.  Ryan has one gold glove (back in 2009) and is a pretty solid guy to have in the field for almost every game if he can stay healthy.

(SS) Ian Desmond:  Dez has been an every day shortstop for the past two years.  However, he has committed 57 errors in that time.  The Nationals like having him in the lineup and they think he has the potential to become a good shortstop.

(2B) Danny Espinosa:  Last season was technically Espinosa's rookie year and he really came out of nowhere at the plate.  In the field Espy helped turn over 100 double plays last year, and did a solid job at second starting in all but 7 games.

(1B) Adam LaRoche:  Roach only made it through 42 games last season before tearing his labrum and had a terrible offensive season.  However on the defensive side, Adam didn't commit a single error and Morse was a little less reliable as a fill in.  The Nats also had Chris Marrero to fill in, but he is out for a long time with a torn hammy.

(C) Wilson Ramos:  WilRam like Espinosa was technically a rookie last season and he threw 32% of runners stealing which was good for 3rd in the majors.  Let's see what he can do in his 2nd season.  Jesus Flores will be filling in to give Willy a rest.

The Nats also have a few guys around that are going to fill in at any position they can.  Mark DeRosa will be starting in left field but when Morse comes back he can play some infield.  Steve Lombardozzi and Chad Tracy will also be on the roster to start the season as utility guys.

Season Preview: Defense: The Nationals Outfield

The Washington Nationals outfield should look familiar.  They should also look like they are injured because 2/3 of the starters are.  These guys aren't out there just to field (they are in the lineup to hit) but they do have good arms.

1.  Michael Morse (Left Field):  Beast Mode is basically a first basemen but the Nationals moved him over to left field.  Depending on what the game situation is, and where Bryce Harper is playing, Morse may get more games at 1st base as well.  Mark DeRosa, a utility infielder/outfielder will start the season out in left as Morse starts on the 15 day DL (too many Lat Pulldowns).

2.  Rick Ankiel (Center Field):  When you think of center field, you don't think of a big steroid using pitcher turned power hitter.  However Ank has a great arm (shocker) and the Nationals like his power in the lineup.  Roger Bernadina who is more of a speedster will be starting while Ankiel is on the 15 day DL with a quad.

3.  Jason Werth (Right Field):  On several occasions last season it looked like J-Dub the Werewolf was lollygagging around.  Misplaying balls over his head, and diving for balls that he couldn't get to.  He was much better for the Phillies, and hopefully this is his rebound year.  Last season Werth played some center field so he can be shifted over there if need be.

Bryce Harper:  The chosen one is traditionally a right fielder, but with this outfield who knows what will happen.  If Werth plays well and Harper comes in and plays all "choseny" then the entire outfield may shift around on a game by game basis.

The Nats have 2 guys who made the roster that may be gone when the big boys return, Xavier Nady and Brett Carroll.  Bernadina will probably end up playing fill-in, and we will have to wait and see what happens when Harper comes up.

Season Preview: The Nationals Starting Rotation

The starting rotation for the Washington Nationals is much improved for the 2012 MLB Season and it is time to start getting excited.  We have 2 young studs, 2 new solid acquisitions, and ... well and a 5th  spot in the rotation with a surprise twist.  Let's take a look at how the season is going to start.

1.  Stephen Strasburg:  Strassy is the ace of the rotation.  We all know what he is.  He is the greatest pitcher in the history of baseball.  He must be 100-0 right!  Well not quite.  Try 6-4.  But how about that 11.3 strikeouts per 9 innings in 17 appearances.

Strasburg came back from Tommy John at the end of last season getting us all excited and then we had to wait the whole offseason.  Well we don't have to wait much longer.  He starts opening day in Chicago.

2.  Gio Gonzalez:  Nat Gio is the hot pickup for the Nats who was wasting away over in Oakland.  8.6 Strikeouts per 9 innings for his career.  31 Wins over the last 2 seasons.  1.41 Whip.  Welcome to DC.

3.  Jordan Zimmermann:  Zimm is another Tommy John guy with strikeout potential.  He was solid last year for the Nats and hopefully being the 3rd man in the rotation will get some of the pressure off of him.

4.  Edwin Jackson:  E-Jax brings a World Series ring to the starting rotation although he joined the Cardinals late in the season last year.  He has pitched in huge games though and he could bring some solid veteran play to a fairly young rotation.  This is the 7th team he has played for.

5.  Ross Detwiler:  John Lannan was sent down to the minors?  What the What!  Lannan has been the opening day pitcher by default but the Nats have decided to move Detwiler from the bullpen to finish off the starting rotation...at least until Wang returns from injury?

6.  Chien-Ming Wang:  Injured.  Story of his life.  When he comes back they can shirt Detwiler back to the bullpen I guess.

Odd Man Out:  John Lannan:  See above.  I guess the other teams who "wanted" Lannan in a trade did not really exist.  Or do the Nats keep him around because he would be a solid fill-in when the classic DC Sports injury happens.  I'm not exactly what happened here, but we will see.