My Team - Nationals at Miami

Starting pitching -

Monday: Zimmermann versus LeBlanc
Tuesday: Haren versus Slowey
Wednesday: Detwiler versus Sanabia

(Starting pitchers subject to change)

That anticipated home weekend series with Atlanta is over. Washington lost all three games, but voices in the clubhouse are saying all the right things. It is early in the season. They still have confidence in their team. There are so many games left to play. The defense and hitting will come around. It's too early to panic, since there are 150 games left to play. Got it.

Offensively, other than Harper and Span, the regulars are struggling. They're 20th in the majors in batting average. They're tied for 16th in on-base percentage. They're 5th in home runs, so that obviously helps. The team needs to string together rallies that don't involve hitting the ball out of the park.

Defensively, they're plagued with damaging errors that keep opponents' innings alive. Desmond and Zimmerman have combined for 7 errors so far. Things will get better. Now would be a good time.

The pitching has been pretty good. Rodriguez is still struggling to find home plate. Throwing 97 MPH is cool, but his confidence may never recover. There may not be a solution for his wildness.

The rooting fan in me suspects the Nationals will sweep this series, and all the worry from the past weekend will be washed away. Miami will compete, but their franchise is in disarray right now. Can the Marlins overcome the off-field stuff? Will Giancarlo Stanton get pitches to hit this year? Let's watch.