Washington Nationals: 2016 NLDS Tale Of The Tape

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September 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) draws a walk in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

First Base: Adrian Gonzalez vs. Ryan Zimmerman

2016 was the first time that Gonzalez hit fewer than 20 home runs in a year since 2012. His WAR dropped from 3.9 in 2015 to 2.1 this season. That being said, he had 90 RBI’s for the second straight year (seventh among NL first basemen).

Defensively, Gonzalez’s runs saved dropped from ten runs saved last year to three this season (according to Fangraphs). Another factor that works in the Nats favor in this matchup is Gonzalez has only two hits in 22 at-bats against Washington this season and is 5-for-26 against the Game 1 starter, Max Scherzer.

As for Zimmerman, 2016 was a year he might want to forget. The 32-year-old battled injury for the bulk of the season and finished hitting only .218 with 15 home runs and a .642 .OPS. Plus, he had three months this year where his batting average was under .200.

While Zimmerman has shown some good defense at first base, Gonzalez has the edge over him defensively. According to Fangraphs, Zimmerman’s -2 runs saved is the third lowest among qualified first basemen.

Advantage: First base is not a position if you go by the numbers that probably won’t make as big an impact in the NLDS. Gonzalez has five home runs in the last three postseasons (21 hits in 19 games). I like that Baker has shown trust and loyalty to Zimmerman, but he might not be the best first baseman the Nats can throw out there. This one is a big edge for the 34-year-old Gonzalez.

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