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Author Description

Dan Zaudtke

I have been a Nationals since September 29, 2004 — the day Washington, D.C. was awarded the team. I live and die by this team, and am an avidly passionate fan! I have a wife and daughter, both big Nats fans — my wife started rooting for the Nats simply because I was in a better mood when they won. I currently work for a government contractor, in business development. Give me a follow on Twitter @onebrightblue1!

The Braves Position Themselves as a Threat in the Future NL East

2017 Articles Leave a Comment

With a nine-game lead, a potent offense, one of the best pitchers in baseball, a stout rotation following him (Tanner and Ross’ struggles notwithstanding) it’s a fun summer to be a Nationals fan. As we laugh at every Mets goof, gaffe, and idiotic mistake after idiotic mistake, we are ignoring the looming specter of the real challenger in the NL East: The Atlanta Braves.

Get ready for that annoying chop played 64 times an inning. The Freeze is cool now, pun intended, but get ready to hate him too. The Braves have many of their pieces in place already, and have more coming…a lot more.

Continue Reading The Braves Position Themselves as a Threat in the Future NL East

Everybody Struggles

2017 Articles Leave a Comment

As the Nationals play beer league softball against one of the lightest hitting teams in the league, the annoyance with the team’s struggles is palpable on social media. Fans are frustrated with the bullpen, the lack of situational hitting, Wilmer Difo’s unbelievable brain fart, some of Dusty Baker’s choices, the bullpen, the bench, and the bullpen. This slump is coupled with the Mets getting a couple of players back healthy and winning four in a row. This is baseball. Every team goes through this. The Rangers series was brutal, but if Difo runs this is a different conversation. Continue Reading Everybody Struggles

Whaddya Say, Michael A?

2017 Articles, Features Leave a Comment

What to make of Michael A. Taylor? My esteemed colleague Joseph Seib echoed many analysts’ feelings in his piece on Taylor three weeks ago. Many have figured he would have come back to Earth by now. Buoyed by an unsustainable .400+ BABIP, a 35% K rate, and 5% walk rate most of the year, he seemed destined to revert back to his 0-fer nights with multiple strikeouts, and a Mendoza line batting average.  But here he is, fresh off another solid offensive performance against the A’s, going 4-13, slugging .846 and striking out just twice. Everyone expects him to crash, but will he?

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Improvements Needed

2017 Articles Leave a Comment

Right now, the Nationals are running away with the NL East. They are in the enviable position of not having a real competitor, currently sitting a comfortable 11 games up. The Mets are the closest thing but cannot stay healthy and cannot get out of their own way. In fairness, they won that game, but wow, that was bad. Since Max Scherzer lost to the Braves on May 20, lasting just 5 IP on 106 pitches, the Nats have won nine of 11. Max has pitched 17.2 IP in his last two starts — one out away from consecutive complete games. In fact, just twice has a starter failed to pitch into the seventh inning — Joe Ross, who lasted less than five against the lowly Padres, and Gio Gonzalez, who posted 5 1/3 IP against the Mariners.

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Nationals Recent Losing Streak Highlights Deficiencies

2017 Articles 1 Comment

Pain. As we reach the quarter point of the season, the Nationals have hit their first real rough patch, losing four of six to teams that are a combined 12 games under .500. The Pirates, who have the second-worst offense in MLB, scored 20 runs over the three-game series. The Braves were one of the most power deficient offenses in the league—especially so without Nat-killer extraordinaire Freddie Freeman. Atlanta hit six home runs in their two victories before Strasburg dealt them the Ace of Spades and shut them down over 7.2 IP. For all the good the Nationals have, there are some cracks in the foundation. For the starting pitching, the bullpen, lineup, and bench, we will look at the areas of concern, and how significant they are.

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A New Nats Specialty: Revenge

2017 Articles Leave a Comment

Mike Rizzo might have a new strategy when marketing to potential free agents. “Have you been treated poorly by your current, team? Well, you might want to consider joining the Washington Nationals!” This week, Matt Wieters walked off his former club. Through the first three games of the contrived “MASN Cup,” which carries about as much weight as the Mystics Attendance Banners, Wieters has put together a sparkling .385/.429/.462 slash-line. He is carrying on what has become a fine Washington Nationals Tradition: beating your former club in fun and torturous ways.

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Nobody Puts Strasburg in a Corner!

2017 Articles Leave a Comment

Every Nats fan knows June 8, 2010. The immortal Charlie Slowes bellowed the now-famous line: “Remember where you are, so you remember where you were!” It was voted one of the Five Greatest Moments in Nationals history. The “Natinals” were a laughing stock after the incredible 50-31 run in the first half of 2005, compiling a 362 -529, a paltry .406 winning percentage since. Stephen Strasburg’s debut was the first tangible fruit of “The Plan.” His debut filled Nationals Park with a playoff-like atmosphere, and he did not disappoint.

Continue Reading Nobody Puts Strasburg in a Corner!