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Washington Nationals Reaction: The Nats Need to Figure Things Out Offensively

By Matt Weyrich

May 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) celebrates with Washington Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa (8) after he hits a two run homer scoring Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) celebrates with Washington Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa (8) after he hits a two run homer scoring Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Ben Revere (9) follow through on an rbi base hit against the Miami Marlins during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Ben Revere (9) follow through on an rbi base hit against the Miami Marlins during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

Nats Need to Figure Things Out Offensively

While Revere’s presence will certainly be welcomed, it is still going to be up to the players behind him to drive the former Blue Jay in. Anthony Rendon still has an on-base percentage below .300 and has yet to regain his power stroke. Bryce Harper struggled over the first half of this ten-game road trip, but has looked better in the past two games.

Guys like Ryan Zimmerman and Daniel Murphy have been hot recently, but the team has had a tendency to leave them stranded on the basepaths or ground into double plays. The Cubs are the hottest team in baseball, and they will make you pay for leaving runs on the table. Washington is going to have to capitalize on every opportunity the Cubs give them, as they will be few and far between.

The pressure is on for Dusty Baker and hitting coach Rick Schu to whip this offense into the playoff-caliber force that it is capable of being. But there is only so much the coaches can do. In the end, the players just need to perform.

From 2012 through last season, the Nats scored the third most runs in the Senior Circuit behind only Colorado and St. Louis. The thing is, this year’s lineup looks like it has the potential to do even more damage than previous years. Harper is a year older, Zimmerman and Rendon are healthy, and Murphy is hitting the cover off the ball. The runs will come, it is only a matter of time.

Next: Replay is Slow, but Let’s Not Freak Out

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