Nationals eyeing playoffs in 2010?
by Eli Greenspan on Apr 26, 2010 12:34 PM EDT
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The Nationals are in second place coming to the end of April, filling players with optimism as they push into May. The Nationals are currently 10-9, but pitching has been subpar with the offense providing most of the support.
"You can’t keep denying us. Nobody gives us credit for anything — until we beat their [rear end]," Nationals outfielder Willie Harris said. Then he added, obliquely, "I feel like we’re going to be right there where we need to be when it’s time to be there. Strasburg, Storen, those guys, if we’re playing well and we got a chance to be there, those guys are coming."
Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen, the Nationals two first round picks last season are nearing the majors, and their soon-to-be teammates are anxiously awaiting their arrival. Strasburg has pitched 12.1 innings this season, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.73 ERA and 17 strike outs to 3 walks. Storen, the teams closer, has posted a 1.23 ERA with 3 saves and 8 strike outs to just 1 walk. Both players will provide some much needed support in their designated areas, the starting rotation and bullpen, respectively.
"We’ve got to keep grinding like this," said Zimmerman, grinning. "Help is on the way. It’s going to be a fun summer."
2010 may be a little early for the Nationals in making a playoff run, but who knows, maybe they can ride some momentum and make a serious run at the playoffs, or give teams trouble on their way to October.
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There is no doubt that the Nationals are moving in the right direction and that within the next 2 years or so they will be a real competitive team in the NL East. The nationals have an excellent nucleus of guys to help lead them into the future. They have a leadoff hitter in Nyger Morgan. They have a power guy in Ryan Zimmerman and now they have an ace in Stephen Strasberg. But as for this year I just don’t see the Nationals having what it takes. The baseball season is a grind and half the battle is being there at the end with enough energy to make it through the playoffs. I don’t think that the Nationals have the starting pitching to carry them the entire season. Scott Olsen is average at best but can show bright spots with the occasional 10 K game. Jason Marquis is already injured and it appears that the veteran Livan Hernandez is going to have to hold that staff together. Matt Capps in the pen has been a bright spot for a Washington team who had a subpar bullpen last year. If the Nationals can continue to hit and make a move to pick up an ace in late May or early June (or have Marquis come back from injury and dominate) there is a possibility they could make the playoffs for the first time since relocating to Washington. However, if the Nats do fall short this year it certainly wont be long before we do see them playing baseball deep into October.
Eric Sachs
Bulls Radio 88.5 HD2 Tampa
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