Nationals Building Profits as play against team

Our nation’s capital is closely monitored by those on the left and the right and everyone in between. Their actions ultimately impact everyone in our country and they should be justifiably be scrutinized. Though is appeals to a much smaller audience, the actions of another outfit in Washington bares keeping taps on, which if used wisely, is very much to the financial benefit of those paying attention.

The Washington Nationals are hemorrhaging losses with 4-15 record and have already lost -9.7 units before the first month of the season has even completed. They have already covered the gamut of ways to lose. They have lost close games, suffered blowouts, blown leads, come up just short on comebacks and been shutout.

What is interesting about the Nats being the worst team in baseball is statistically in many cases, they are not as bad as their record shows.

They are 13th overall in batting average as team at .266 and are mild underachievers in scoring runs comparatively, ranked 19th at 4.5 per game. Many Washington hitters are Jekyll and Hyde at the dish, with the Nationals second in walks per game at 4.6 per game, but dead last in striking out at 8.7 per nine innings. The latter number is especially troubling, meaning basically one-third of all outs, the ball in never put into play to advance runner or give opponent chance to make error. Leaving runners on base can be an overrated statistic, since having players on the base paths shows you are at least hitting the ball and taking walks, however being 30th in never good.

As one might expect, the Washington pitching is extremely poor, but not the worst. The Nationals allow the most runs per game at six in the National League, yet still surrender fewer than the vaunted New York Yankees. They are in the mid-20’s in strikeouts and top six in walks allowed. The Nats can receive a good pitched game, yet someone in the bullpen will undermine all the good work as 0-7 record and six blown saves shows.

What makes Washington so bad and a play against team; they are a sum of their parts. They are below average to meager in virtually everything they do. Outside of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has 17-game hitting streak, too many holes in the lineup and a pitching staff lacking talent.

Manager Manny Acta will send Scott Olson (0-3, 7.29 ERA, 1.810 WHIP) to the hill, trying to salvage one game against Philadelphia in the series. This will conclude six-game road trip for Washington who is 7-30 against the money line after five or more consecutive road games over the last two seasons.

They will face Brett Myers (1-1, 4.91, 1.480) who is striking out nearly a batter per inning this season. The Nationals are 7-34 vs. a starting pitcher who strikes out five or more batters per start, nevertheless can take some hope into the game. The Phillies have given up league-leading total of 40 long balls with at least one in a record 16 consecutive games to begin 2009. Myers has been a big culprit with eight.

Bookmaker.com has Philadelphia as -175 money line favorites with a total Un10.5. The Phils are 20-5 vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 5.70 or worse. Washington is 12-35 as a road underdog of +125 to +175 and Olson is 13-3 OVER in road games against division opponents over the last three seasons. (Team's Record)

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 Eastern and series final finale will be available for viewing in local markets and MLB.TV. Maybe the return of shortstop Cristian Guzman from the 15-day disabled list will spark the offense and improve the defense for Washington, or not.