The Washington Nationals were the clear preseason favorite to win the World Series by many baseball writers this year. Bryce Harper would be with team for a full season this year, the starting rotation projected as one of the best in baseball, Adam LaRoche re-signed with the team to anchor first base, and the Nationals just had solid returning players at every position. So what happened to make the Nationals go 27-27 through the first third of their season this year?
Of all the solid positions, the right side of the infield figured to be a bright spot for the Nationals, but they struggled greatly to start the season. While he has turned it around more recently, first baseman Adam LaRoche had an extremely tough April. While LaRoche’s resurgent May has brought his 2013 numbers closer to his career stats, his stat line in April consisted of a .136 batting average, a .213 on-base percentage, three homeruns, and eight RBI. LaRoche had a great May to bring his numbers back up, but his right-side infield counterpart Danny Espinosa still hasn’t figured out the problem with his hitting struggles. Espinosa’s season has been terrible, with a batting average and on-base percentage below .200. The Nationals have to make a decision soon on how much longer it’s worth giving him any playing time at all.
The starting rotation has been pretty good, but not great. Stephen Strasburg is pitching about as advertised, with high strikeouts, low walks, a great ERA of 2.49, and an equally impressive WHIP of 1.06. Unfortunately, the Nationals haven’t been helping Strasburg out much with any run support, giving him a win-loss record of 3-5 so far. If the Nationals are going to contend this season, they need to win the games Strasburg is pitching so great in. Jordan Zimmermann has been a pleasant surprise, as he is pitching just as well as Strasburg so far. Unlike Strasburg, Zimmermann is turning those starts in to wins, with an 8-3 record so far. Gio Gonzalez hasn’t lived up to his near-Cy Young campaign of 2012, only going 3-3 so far with an ERA up near 4.00.
Gonzalez figured to be one of the best pitchers in the league this year, and he will have to step it up if the Nationals are going to contend in the NL East. Dan Haren was a disappointing pick-up this offseason for the Nationals. He struggled with the Angels last season, but much of that poor season was attributed to shoulder problems, and the Nationals were hoping they could pick up Haren on a cheap contract, and that he would regain his pre-2012 form, but so far he hasn’t.
Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper have been the two bright spots for Washington offensively, but those two aren’t without their issues either. Zimmerman is hitting fairly well, but his power numbers aren’t where you might expect them to be, as his three homerun night Wednesday only brought his season total up to six, and he has been having trouble defensively, most notably with his throws to first base. Harper began the year with one of the best starts in baseball, but has cooled off significantly in May. Harper may have been the early favorite to win the National League MVP by hitting .344 with a .430 on-base percentage, and nine homeruns in April, but his May numbers are a pedestrian .193 batting average, .319 on-base percentage, and three homeruns.
The Nationals are still a good ball club, but I think their expectations have to be tempered a bit from the beginning of the season. I still think they are a playoff team, but more likely now as a wild-card team instead of a division winner, with the Braves holding on to their lead of the NL East.