The Nationals: Finally Turning Things Around

The Nationals are 20-18 and who would have thought it? Despite some off season signing not working out so far, the Nats have gotten some surprise performances out of young unknowns and ageless veterans.

The Nationals made a bit of a splash in the off season by signing starters Jason Marquis and Chien-Ming Wang. Wang has been injured, and Marquis has been awful and now sits on the disabled list as well. Former high draft pick Jordan Zimmerman is also on the DL for Washington, so who is getting it done in the rotation? We didn't know that Livan Hernandez would be pitching like an all-star. Hernandez, struggled with the Mets in recent years, has become the ace of the staff, pitching to a 4-2 record and a 1.46 ERA. The former Marlin Scott Olsen has done the job, and rookie Luis Atilano has yet to lose, pitching to a record of 3-0. Stephen Strasburg continues to annihilate the competition in Double A and Triple A and should be inserted into the rotation in June.

The bullpen has also been superb, with Tyler Clippard and Matt Capps leading the way. Capps came over from Pittsburgh in the off season, and many questioned his ability. Last season Capps had an ERA of 5.80 and blew 5 saves for the Pirates, but this season has been completely different. Capps has been a perfect 14 for 14 in save opportunities and his ERA still remains below 1. Tyler Clippard, the former Yankee prospect, has been great as a setup man, and has already recorded 7 wins.

Offensively, the signing of Pudge Rodriguez in the off season doesn't just bring a veteran catcher to call games; the guy can still hit, batting .349. Ryan Zimmerman is showing why he is an elite third baseman with 8 homers and a .330 average and the big bopper Adam Dunn has 9 homers. Young players such as Nyjer Morgan, Ian Desmond, and Roger Bernadina are also bringing life to this lineup, and veteran Christian Guzman has done a great job embracing his new utility role and has thrived in the spot.

The Nationals talent-wise are far from a joke now. Will they make the playoffs? No. Even the highly touted Strasburg cannot carry this team that far. But it is definitely within reach to go over .500, which would be a huge accomplishment for the Nationals. Manager John Riggleman has done a great job so far, and if this play continues, he will definitely see his name in the Manager of the Year discussion late.

The Nationals, at last providing hope for the city of DC in baseball.