The Washington Nationals looked flat today as they fall to 2-5 on the road trip
Today was a gut punch for the Washington Nationals. In fact, this whole road trip has been a massive left hook to the liver for a team coming off series wins against the Dodgers and D-Backs.
There is not a whole lot to recap in this game because frankly, not a whole lot happened. An Oneil Cruz lead off home run made up all of the scoring in this ball game. While Trevor Williams gave up a lot of base runners, he did a good job getting himself out of jams and using his veteran moxie.
Over the last two games, Nationals starters have allowed two runs in 11 innings, yet Mitchell Parker and Trevor Williams both got charged with losses. Today, you can’t even blame the often criticized bullpen. They did their job today for once. Lucas Sims came in and threw a clean inning. After him, Jose A Ferrer did a great job getting through two innings of work. The ball was jumping out of both of their hands.
However, the offense looked totally lifeless, which has been a theme these past few games. Through the first two weeks of the season, the offense looked different than the abysmal unit we watched in 2024. Yes, they struck out too much, but they were driving the ball and picking up extra base hits. It wasn’t perfect, but I appreciated that they were trying new things.
However, the offense has reverted back to type. The parade of ground ball outs and uncompetitive at bats we saw last year is back. That extra base power has also vanished. In the Nats last 25 innings, they only have two extra base hits, a Nathaniel Lowe double and a James Wood homer. The offense is back to looking like what we have seen from the Darnell Coles offenses over recent years.
One thing I really haven’t loved these last few days is the lack of energy. It looks like a lot of guys are just going through the motions out there. On paper, this team is much better than the 2023 group, but that team brought it every night. This team does not do that.
This does not look like it is going to be the step forward season everyone had hoped for. Is it still possible, of course, it is only April 17th. However, it is not a good look to go 2-5 against the supposedly bottom feeding Marlins and Pirates. If you can’t beat the bottom feeders, what does that make you?
This team has been in the basement of the National League for a long time now. 2019 is starting to feel like a distant memory, yet it has given the Nationals brain trust a seemingly limitless rope.
If the offense sputters in Colorado, there have to be consequences. Darnell Coles should have never been back to begin with, but if the offense is still lifeless against an atrocious Rockies team, he should be shown the door.
The Nationals just seem comfortable with losing right now. I truly hate to be this negative because I love the team, but it is hard to find silver linings right now.