Just about everyone and their mother has picked the Nationals to win the NL East this year. 19 games into the season, however, they hardly look like winners. One could play a Benny Hill blooper reel and it would resemble the Nats' fortunes so far; they were just swept by the Marlins and have lost five in a row. Meanwhile, the Braves haven't been doing so hot either; they come home after a rough 3-6 road trip, capping it off by losing two of three to the Phailies. Perhaps returning home will get them turned around.
So far, the Nats aren't doing anything right. They're hitting .218 as a team; they have only three stolen bases (in nine attempts); they have committed 18 errors, eight by Ian Desmond alone, and the pitching hasn't been up to par. Max Scherzer and Doug Fister have been pulling their weight, but Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmermann have allowed a total of 38 ER in 68 innings - a 5.03 ERA.
This could be the best time to catch the Nationals as they are struggling and not at full strength. Anthony Rendon is still rehabbing, and Bruce Hooper Bryce Harper has pretty much carried the offense from the get-go even though Yunel Escobar leads the team with a .292 avg. Harper leads the team with five home runs and leads the NL in walks; five of those are intentional, which is already more than all of last year. As much as he's been walked, he's struck out even more: he's on pace for 145 walks and 213 strikeouts. Jayson Werth (.171/.255/.220) and Ryan Zimmerman (.205/.284/.384) aren't doing much hitting and, not surprisingly, neither is Dan Uggla.
Scherzer, Tuesday's scheduled starter, sprained his right thumb in his last start against St. Louis and is doubtful to make Tuesday's start. No word as of this post who would start if Scherzer cannot.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Monday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
ATL: Eric Stults
2015: 3 starts, 16 IP, 8 runs, 3 BB, 10 K
WAS: Doug Fister
2015: 3 starts, 19 IP, 7 runs (5 ER), 7 BB, 8 K
Tuesday, April 28, 7:10 p.m. ET
ATL: Julio Teheran
2015: 4 starts, 21.1 IP, 13 runs (11 ER), 12, BB, 18 K
WAS: TBD
Wednesday, April 29, 7:10 p.m. ET
ATL: Alex Wood
2015: 4 starts, 24 IP, 8 runs, 10 BB, 12 K
WAS: Jordan Zimmermann
2015: 4 starts, 20.2 IP, 15 runs (12 ER), 5 BB, 11 K