Opening day was a bad first impression for the Nationals.
Last year’s worst team in the major leagues looked every bit as bad in a 12-6 loss at Florida on Monday. The pitching stunk. The fielding stunk. At least the hitting improved throughout the game.
Tell me again how this year is supposed to be better? I found myself channeling Harry Carey’s “Holy cow!” every few minutes.
The Marlins led 6-0 after three innings with two home runs while the Nats managed two botched defensive plays and one hit. Adam Dunn missed the first fly ball to him and watched a third strike while the Nats supposed best pitcher John Lannan was pummeled for six runs. Reliever Julian Tavarez then allowed a first-pitch double and a home run two batters later.
The Nats showed some life, though. Dunn blasted a homer and just missed a second for the Nats to close within 8-5 in the sixth. The Nats are paying Dunn $20 million over two years to keep fans interested, and that’s exactly what he did in a bad loss. It will be known as a Dunn trifecta this season — E, K and HR.
Still, the opener looked like a microcosm of the season. The Nats must win 7-6 games because the defense and pitching still aren’t good enough. At least they have some bats this season. In fact, outfielders Josh Willingham and Elijah Dukes are on the bench after starting last season.
Washington has to be better than last year’s injury-riddled 59-102 disaster. Good health should be worth 10 wins alone. Dunn and a healthy Nick Johnson can produce another six. Las Vegas oddsmakers say the Nats are the 70-1 long shot to win the World Series with an over/under of 71 1/2 wins. Take the over because this team has a chance at 81-81 if it stays healthy, especially Johnson.
Yet, the season may feel like a downer. The economy and second year in the stadium might carve 500,000 off last year’s 2.4 million attendance. Baseball didn’t help the Nats once more with another bad early schedule. The nation’s capital deserves opening day at home based on history. By the time President Obama throws out the first pitch in the April 13 home opener against World Series champion Philadelphia, Washington will be lucky to be 2-4.
Oh well, maybe Teddy can win a few races this season.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected]
