MVN - Most Valuable Network

The Opposing Viewpoint: Washington Nationals (Part 3)

The Opposing Viewpoint usually runs prior to the first game of a series, but there are exceptions to every rule. In this case, Harper Gordek of Oleanders and Morning Glories was unable to answer my questions until after the conclusion of last night’s game. As you read the Q&A, keep in mind that I asked these questions before Monday night’s game, and any statistical references in the text of the questions do not reflect the two games played since then:

Ryan Zimmerman is currently hitting .240/.273/.383. What appears to be the problem, and how concerned are you with the slow start?

There’s no real problem.  Ryan is just a slow starter. His March/April career stats are .237 / .293 / .364.  May is already better  (.256 / .289 / .442… ok, not THAT much better but he is slugging well). If it’s mid-June and he hasn’t heated up yet then we’ll be concerned. For now it’s just one of those things.

The Nats have four starters - Odalis Perez, John Lannan, Tim Redding, and Shawn Hill - currently sporting an ERA+ of 110 or better and a gigantic sinkhole in the fifth starter slot. Which pitcher is most likely to keep up the good work, which one do you think has pitched over his head, and what should the team do about the fifth starter?

I personally like Tim Redding the best. He’s the best at keeping the guys off base and has a pedigree of at least tossing a good amount of innings. Though I will concede that if Shawn Hill can stay healthy he’s probably a better bet.  His sinker focused pitching makes it really hard to get big hits against him, and he’s a good three years younger [than Redding].  I just don’t like his chances of staying healthy.

I think Lannan is the most pitching over his head.  Soft tossers have to be special to survive in the majors and he’s going to have to prove that first before I believe it. Odalis Perez…you just never know.  This might be one of his good years.

5th starter?  Personally I’d try their one actual young pitcher that might be ready, Colin Balester.  If he fails….

Offensive production from the outfield has been a problem for the Nationals thus far (the outfielders are hitting just .222/.310/.308 as a group). Who is most likely to lose playing time now that Elijah Dukes has returned from the DL?

Wily Mo Pena.   Milledge is a favorite of Acta and they are hoping he’s a long term player. He’ll play every day unless he just becomes terrible.  Kearns is such a good fielder that they’d want to keep him playing in some capacity.  I can even envision a scenario with Milledge and Kearns both playing poorly where Kearns slides over to CF.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 at 7:49 am and is filed under john lannan, Tim Redding, Shawn Hill, Colin Balester, Austin Kearns, The Opposing Viewpoint, Lastings Milledge, Wily Mo Pena, Washington Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman, Elijah Dukes, Odalis Perez, 7 Train. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.