After correctly predicting on 25th July that come the end of the Nationals homestand they would be sat on 53 wins, the Nats didnt disappoint. That said, the manner in which they reached it was not forecast; swept by the Marlins, then rebounding to win the series against the Mets and the Braves is the exact opposite of what had been anticipated. So how do these past nine games impact upon the objectives stated in my prior post?

• Get a few games clear of Florida

This has not happened, prior to Marlins V Mets game three the Nationals are now two games back on Florida, two worse than before the homestand. FAIL.

• Reclaim 3rd spot from the Mets

Prior to the homestand the Nats were two games off third spot and will be three gamess off third by the morning of 4th August. FAIL.

• Lay down the gauntlet to the Braves

Still ten games behind Atlanta, this homestand has not seen any improvements in Washington. FAIL.

On reflection then, this homestand will have hurt the Nationals as they failed to make home advantage count and close the ever increasing daylight between themselves and the rest of the pack. One small mercy is that despite going 4-5 they have to feel as though third spot is still attainable (with the Mets and Marlins looking pretty even right now). Ultimately however it is a case of what might have been, if the Nationals had played as well against the Astros and the Dodgers as well as they did against the Mets and the Braves they would easily be mingling with the Marlins and the Mets for third…as it stands however the Nats are nursing that familiar neck ache that only comes from looking up.

Washington Nationals Homestand 26th July-3rd August

After poor recent performances against the Astros and the Dodgers, the importance of the Washington Nationals next nine games has risen significantly. In an all NL-East homestand the objectives must surely be the following:

• Get a few games clear of Florida
• Reclaim 3rd spot from the Mets
• Lay down the gauntlet to the Braves

Atlanta have several tricky series’ in August so if the Washington Nationals can close that gap then that Wild Card spot may just be a possibility going into September. Realistically it is a huge ask, but the frustrating thing is that towards the end of the Riggleman era it really did look like a possibility. Under DJ the spirit has wavered and the ‘can do’ approach has been replaced by a ‘what will be will be, we are a young team’ mentality that has resulted in a series of errors and sloppy play against sides that the Nationals really should have swept. As it is the basement door is wide open and whoever loses tonight’s opener at Nationals Park will wake up in bottom spot on Wednesday morning.

My prediction? Nationals will win the series 2-1 against the Marlins but lose 2-1 to the Mets. The Braves series should be an interesting one but by then it’ll be too late, the Nationals need sweeps, and going up against Atlanta knowing they haven’t done that will count against them so another 2-1 defeat is a real possibility.

Prediction: by the morning of August 4th the Nationals will be on 53 wins

27/06/11

Washington Nationals (40-38) @ L.A. Angels (39-40)

West coast series are an unenviable task for a UK based baseball fan and with a 3:05am start, dont expect any play by play commentary. It is frustrating becuase it should be an interesting game, Davey Johnson’s first game in charge and another good challenge for the Nats up against a side that they should be beating if they want to realise their goal of hitting the Wildcard spot.

Jayson Werth needs to start pulling his finger out soon, John Lannan needs to keep pitching like a God, the Angels need to continue to post up poor results at home, and with a bit of luck the Braves might drop a game or two. No line-ups have been posted yet but fingers crossed no Brian Bixler and no major changes from the norm. If the above guidlines are followed then the Nationals should post a victory tonight/tomorrow morning (depending where you are watching).

Predition - Nationals Win

What do you think?

In the UK first pitch today was 18:05, leaving little time to write up a match preview after work. Next best thing, a quick video.