Nats Notebook-If You're Not First...

PORTIONS PREVIOUSLY APPEARING ON WTOP.COM-

So much for that moment in the sun last week. For one full day the Nationals were atop the NL East, but a sweep by Atlanta and two hard-luck losses at the New York Yankees drop the team back to the basement. Not to go all Talladega Nights on us here, but since they started playing games this spring the Nats have either been in first or last place of the NL East. And until they can generate quality instead of quantity on offense (they rank fifth in batting average but are 29th in runs scored), they're going to have to rely on a consistently uneven pitching staff to be great every time out. At least they have Juan Soto back in the lineup. Even though he only hit .133 last week with a homer and three RBI, the reigning batting champion's presence in the lineup means Trea Turner can lead off (where he's hitting .344 this year as opposed to under .230 batting second or third). Now if he can only get protection in the lineup.

Digesting the Division- the New York Mets (16-13) have won five straight to take the NL East lead, while Philadelphia (18-17) is only one game back after dropping two of three to suddenly streaking Atlanta (17-17) who has won five of six. Miami (15-18) is in fourth despite being the only team in the division with a positive run differential (their +20 is fourth-best in the NL) but are saddled with a 2-8 mark in one-run games. The Nats are 5-5 in one-run games this year and at 13-17 bring up the rear for the third time in four weeks.

O's Woes- three straight losses keep the Birds in last place of the AL East. At 15-19 they're the only team in the division with a losing record. But they've got John Means, and the lefthander is making this team must-watch at least one day a week. Even before his near-perfect no-hitter, the 28-year old was having the best season of his young career. His four wins is tied for eighth best in the majors and Means' 1.37 ERA is the fourth-lowest among qualified starters. On a staff where three of the other four regular starting pitchers own ERA's higher than five, Means is a breath of fresh air.

Sully From Southie Speaks- who would think that the Sox would be able to sustain their wicked impressive play through 35 games? Last year they started 12-23 and didn't post their 22nd victory until September 23. Keeping with our Nats theme this week; since 2012 Boston has finished first four times, last four times, and third once (must have been an accounting error of some kind). So while Sully on one side is super-psyched that his team can take his attention off of the injured Celtics, he's wicked worried this great start may evaporate by the time Patriots Training Camp begins (it's happened before).

Say Isn't That? Michael A. Taylor hit .240 last week to drop his average with Kansas City to .255. He strikes out just like he did in DC (his 33 K's in 31 games played are tied for second-most on the team). Adam Eaton only played two games (hitting 1-7 to drop his batting average to .212), but he's still posting decent numbers (17 runs scored plus 19 RBI in 26 games played) for the Chicago White Sox. Wilmer Difo may have only 6 RBI in Pittsburgh, but that's three fewer than his combined 2019 and 2020 seasons for Washington. Wil Crowe in his first year with the Pirates has a 4.02 ERA over four appearances, or one more game than his one season tenure with the Nats. Sean Doolittle hasn't pitched since May 2, and the lefthander has 2 wins plus one save after one month of the regular season with Cincinnati.

Last Week's Heroes- Starlin Castro hit .400 while Trea Turner batted .308 with a team-high 4 RBI. Yan Gomes and Kyle Schwarber also drove in 4 runs last week. Max Scherzer struck out 14 over 7.1 innings of one-run ball while Kyle Finnegan and Austin Voth each notched three relief appearances where neither allowed an earned run.

Last Week's Humbled- Tanner Rainey allowed 4 runs over 1.2 innings while Brad Hand allowed walk-off runs in losses Saturday and Sunday. Josh Bell may have scored a team-high 4 runs, but the first baseman hit .143. Yadiel Hernandez (.125) didn't help his case as a long-term fit in the outfield mix that shrinks with the full-time return of Juan Soto.

Game to Watch- Wednesday the Nationals face Philadelphia and Zack Wheeler (3-2, 2.83 ERA) while Jon Lester makes his third start of the season. He was lights-out in his debut, and solid to begin his second outing. With Stephen Strasburg still not on the active roster and the remainder of the non-Max rotation having yo-yo starts to the season, Lester's ability to produce is key.

Game to Miss- Tuesday the series with the Phillies gets underway with a pair of 5+ ERA starters. Erick Fedde (2-3, 5.27 ERA) and Chase Anderson (1-3, 5.54 ERA) is the less than overwhelming mound matchup. Save your attention this series for Lester (Wednesday) and Corbin (Thursday).