The day should be perfect, a stadium hosting its last Opening Day, warmed by summer-like weather; the sun sparkling on a deep-green field; a packed house. Baseball, after six months, returns.
It’s a day to celebrate.
Except that, in many eyes, it’s also the start of a triple-digit loss season.
Break out the bubbly.
There’s just one problem: Nationals players refuse to believe the dire predictions. The Nats, entering a very public rebuilding period, are coming off a 91-loss season, have a first-year manager and a questionable pitching staff.
Nats ace John Patterson said he read one writer’s prediction of 125 losses. That’s extreme, but many predict 100 losses.
“That’s just ridiculous,” Patterson said. “We’re not going to lose 100 games. I’m just not seeing what those guys are seeing. We have legitimate major league players. … We’re confident.”
Their top three pitchers are either oft-injured (Patterson and Shawn Hill) or unproven (rookie Matt Chico). Top hitter Alfonso Soriano left via free agency.
However, last season’s top three pitchers, Livan Hernandez, Ramon Ortiz and Tony Armas Jr., all had ERA’s over 5.00 in Washington in 2006,
“Nothing against them,” third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said, “but a 5.00 ERA isnot hard to replace. We’ll take our chances with these guys, who maybe have younger and livelier arms.
“Obviously no one compares to Soriano, but to have [shortstop Cristian] Guzman back and [second baseman Felipe Lopez] at the top of the order is a big help for us as far as scoring runs.”
So the players aren’t dreading this season; they’re anxious for it. They see a tight clubhouse, a decent lineup and a possibly standout bullpen as reasons for hope.
“Opening Day is fun,” Zimmerman said. “It’s one of those days you think about the night before. There’s a whole new outlook and we’re excited. We believe the plan will work here real soon. We think we can win this year.”
Staff writer Brian McNally contributed to this report.
