The Washington Nationals had another 1-run loss last night that you could chalk up to defensive issues while the Dodgers sealed their win on a game saving diving catch. The ball was flying last night and both teams took advantage of it.
Nats’ manager Dave Martinez has adjusted his lineup back to his normal lineup that he has been running out there against righties.
“I was sitting there going, ‘Please hit the grass,’ and Conforto made a hell of a play.”
— manager Dave Martinez said after yesterday’s game
Here is the bullpen usage:
Here are your Nats’ WAR leaders with James Wood at +3.2 and MacKenzie Gore at +2.76 followed by CJ Abrams.
On defense, the stats are clear as to what his defense is all about. Jacob Young is the team’s OAA leader and James Wood got to a +1.0 on his OAA, and that is a good sign from where he had been early in the season. One of the newest Nats, Daylen Lile, is already at a -3.0 OAA.
Luis Garcia Jr. has slumped this season defensively to a -7.0 already — and with CJ Abrams, they combine for -12.0 OAA. That is the worst middle infield in baseball.
Another defensive issue that we have discussed is the positioning of Nathaniel Lowe at first base as he is too often out of position to make a play — and OAA has his chance at success at only 64 percent which must improve. His OAA is at 0.0 now. With as little as Amed Rosario has played on defense, he is at -7.0 OAA this season and the worst on the team. Per Statcast, his defense has cost the Nationals 5-runs. Is his offense good enough to make up that deficit if he plays the field? Keibert Ruiz, per Statcast, has a -7.0 OAA also. The Nationals were supposed to be better on defense. That clearly isn’t the case.
These are your stats leaders on BBRef. There are certainly some surprises on there — good and not so good.
“We believe in the guys in our clubhouse, and we believe in this team. We know we can compete with anybody. I think everyone around here believes that.”
— Riley Adams said after yesterday’s game
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.42 and 24th best in MLB. You might be surprised at the team just ahead of the Nationals in the rankings. The reliever’s ERA sits at a 5.71 and now only the second worst in baseball in ERA.
Here is how the starters rank by ERA:
No. 5 Starter: Trevor Williams 5.54
No. 4 Starter: Michael Soroka 5.06
No. 3 Starter: Mitchell Parker 4.59
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.23
No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 3.19
Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Stadium: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
1st Pitch: 10:10 pm EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app; In Spanish on DC 87.7 FM and La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM. On Sirius/XM, tune to Channel 175 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
