Today’s District Daily features stories on Jayson Werth‘s struggles (and improvement) this season and the similarities between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs.
Good afternoon DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses Jayson Werth’s struggles at the plate so far this season. As Janes notes, Werth struggled mightily during the first month of the season, but has showed signs of improvement of late.
As Janes writes, Werth has showed more power at the plate in recent days and appears to have overcome his early season slump. The Nationals’ offense has struggled to produce at times this season, and Werth’s slump certainly played a roll in those struggles. Hopefully for the team, the veteran outfielder will contiue to put his struggles behind him over the next few days and weeks.
Here’s what Werth had to say about his slump, via Janes’ article:
"“I’m coming around, and my swing’s been feeling better and better, and I’m hitting balls hard,” Werth said. “I feel like I’ve been a little unlucky at times. But hopefully that’ll all change. You’ve got to make your own luck. I’ve got a long way to go. I feel good and healthy, and I’ve got the whole season to look forward to. I’ve seen some signs lately that point to some positives.”"
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell discusses the similarities between the Nationals and the Cubs — two teams that are expected to be powerhouses in the National League this season.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
On slumps, seasons and the offensive output of the Nationals’ corner outfielders
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
CHICAGO — Jayson Werth talks about consistent hitting like it’s an annual inevitability, like a change in the seasons — coming now or maybe later — but coming in time, with no known accelerant capable of hurrying the process. He struggled to start this season, but never seemed overly concerned. It will come, he said. He is close, he thought.
Werth hit a towering home run to left field Thursday night — 395 feet that felt like more. He now has nine hits, nine RBI and two homers in seven games on this road trip — which, it should be noted, has traversed three of the stronger, more proven pitching staffs in baseball. Read full article here.
Nats and Cubs have more in common than just their gaudy records
(Thomas Boswell, Washington Post)
Everyone has their own definition of big fun. High on my list is the four-game series between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals that started Thursday night with a 5-2 victory for the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Every inning of every game will be worth enjoying and analyzing. By Sunday night we might not know where these teams stand relative to each other, but we will sure know a lot more.
Next: Washington Nationals Reaction: The Nats Need to Figure Things Out Offensively
For jubilant context, the Cubs and Nats entered their faceoff with the two best records in baseball as well as the best team ERAs, both marks insanely and unsustainably great (2.32 and 2.35) . These clubs also may have the two most cheerful baseball-as-joy managers in the game: Joe Maddon and Dusty Baker. They’re baseball lifers and students of the sport, and both believe that confidence, relaxation and fun are almost as important as talent. Read full article here.