My Team - Nationals at Detroit

Proposed starters -

Tuesday: Strasburg vs Sanchez
Wednesday: Gonzalez vs Verlander

Even after winning 3 of 4 against the Mets, the Nationals are a) still under .500, and b) nine games out of first place in the NL East.  People don't want to say it, but it's evident. The team isn't going to win the division. The team probably isn't going to make a wild card slot. Three key contributors from last year's playoff appearance have been sent down to AAA Syracuse. Guys in the clubhouse are speaking out with a tone of frustration, over team performance & front office personnel decisions.

Fifty-six games remain. Does anyone foresee this team going on a rampage and storming its way into the playoffs? Anyone?

I hate to type "this team's looking at next season", but it appears to be true. The blame may be placed on the bench by default. Looking at the regular position players, I don't think any would be an immediate candidate for trade. They just re-signed LaRoche, and the team needs his left-handed power. Span has only been there this season; he'll get another chance to show he deserves to hit leadoff in '14. But, since the team is under-performing, someone will have to go.

I could see Tracy leaving at the end of the year. Bernadina may also be at risk, even with his skill as a defender. Espinosa may come back in '14 as a utility man (2B/SS). Moore and Hairston will compete for the role of right-handed power-hitting backup outfielder.

Anyway, here comes a quick two-gamer at Comerica Park. Tuesday night, Sanchez starts for Detroit. Career-wise, he's 8-1 with a 2.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and .212 BAA. He did get the loss his last start against the Nats on 8 May, giving up 2 earned runs in 6 IP.

Oh, by the way, Washington gets Verlander on Wednesday night. Normally, this guy is tough and durable, throwing harder as the game goes on. Lately, though, he's struggled. He's given up 12 earned runs in 11.2 innings, with a 6/7 BB/K ratio. Is his arm tired after all the high-stress innings the last few years? In recent times, one would be more concerned about the Wednesday match-up, but maybe this year Washington can score enough to beat Verlander.

On offense, 3B Cabrera is the best hitter in the game today, but he is slightly banged up (ab strain). RF Torii Hunter is dealing with an Achilles strain. 2B Infante is still out with an injured ankle. The lineup is solid enough to where they can outscore some teams (like maybe the Nationals).

Defensively, on paper people think you can take advantage of Cabrera's seeming lack of range and agility. Dirks in LF isn't known as a plus-defender. However, these guys catch what they get to.

My guess - Sanchez shuts down Washington on Tuesday, out-dueling Strasburg in yet another low-scoring game. Both guys will pitch well. Wednesday, the Nationals break through against Verlander, winning something like 5-4.