Washington Nationals: 5 To Watch For In Atlanta

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As the Washington Nationals begin a crucial April road trip in Atlanta, here are five players to watch against the Braves. The first of six series this year.

This week, the Washington Nationals become the second team to call on the Atlanta Braves at their new home.

Moving from Turner Field and Downtown Atlanta, the Braves moved to suburbs of Cobb County and Smyrna to the brand-new SunTrust Park. Seating 41,500 on the traffic-challenged highways of the Peachtree City, the Braves hope to build a new community mixing baseball and community together all run by the team.

The Nats start a long 10-game road trip against their division rivals. At 7-5, Washington entered their off-day tied with the Miami Marlins for first in the National League East. Taking two-of-three over the holiday weekend from the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington hopes to gather momentum this week.

The bullpen issues, causing most fans to chew what remains of their fingernails, are front and center. Although the offense and starting pitching are in mid-season form, the dread of how to win games at the end remain. With the New York Mets looming, here is one more chance to put things in order.

Last year, the Nats thumped the Braves 15-4 in their season series. But, the Braves won the last two and feature a young, hungry team that gels together daily.

This year, the Braves are around .500 out of the gate. They signed Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey and Jamie Garcia to bolster their young rotation. Unlike certain teams from Washington, there is no debate in the closer. It is Jim Johnson. Under manager Brian Snitker, Atlanta features youth and Freddie Freeman.

All the pomp and circumstance is done. The two off days a week are gone. The grind begins for real. Here are five to watch this week in Hotlanta.

TREA TURNER

Before a hamstring injury landed him on the 10-day disabled list, 2017 was not the start Trea Turner envisioned.

In five games, the speedy Turner looked overmatched leading off for the Nationals. Hitting .158—that is 3-for-19—he swiped three bags but failed to draw a walk and fanning seven times. Those are not numbers you want from the one hole.

With Adam Eaton hitting well from the top spot, you wonder when Turner returns Wednesday where he will hit. This is a good excuse to keep Eaton on top for now while sliding Turner second, except Anthony Rendon has found a groove from the slot.

Chances are Dusty Baker eases Turner back in the lineup. A Wednesday start will see a rest day Thursday before the big weekend series in Queens. Whatever it takes to get him comfortable playing baseball.

Although the offense has been bad early, his Adjusted OPS+ is -1 or 101 percent below league average, Turner has shown good range at short. Part of five double plays, he has yet to make an error.

You must figure Grant Green, who has not made an appearance since his contract was purchased from Triple-A Syracuse, is the odd man out upon Turner’s return. Stephen Drew’s timetable for return remains a state secret, ensuring Wilmer Difo is the defensive replacement now.

Last year Turner loved the Braves as much as most little boys love puppies—not me—as he smashed six homers, five doubles, two triples and swiped seven bases against Atlanta. In 13 games, his slash line of .475/.492/.932 is softballesque. He will miss the ballpark named after him.

MATT KEMP

The Matt Kemp reclamation project resumes Wednesday.

As with Trea Turner, Kemp tweaked his right hamstring and expects to come off the disabled list for Wednesday’s game. Unlike Turner, Kemp was playing well before his injury.

In four games on the road for the Braves, Kemp hit 2 home runs and was 8-for-16 at the plate. When you hit .500, the baseball must look as big as a car coming out of the pitcher’s hand. Coming to Atlanta from the San Diego Padres last year, Kemp has taken to the team and produced.

If the Braves are to make a surprise run for the NL Wild Card, they will need Kemp to help protect Freddie Freeman in the lineup. The pieces to make a run are there, but they need him to bind the glue together.

Jace Peterson has filled in for Kemp in left. With a .211 batting average, the chances of Kemp being Wally Pipp’ed are zero.

As Dansby Swanson struggles in his first full year in the majors, Kemp’s return is crucial to keep the Braves headed in the right direction. Near the bottom of the NL in runs scored, he is missed.

Kemp likes facing the Nats. In 69 career games, he has 11 home runs, 42 RBI and a slash line of .291/.350/.475.

JULIO TEHERAN

With the luxury of having three potential aces on the Nationals staff, facing another loses something in translation.

Julio Teheran deserves better and when he faces Washington Wednesday, it is must-see television. At 26, he is as important to the Braves pitching staff as Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Phil Niekro and Warren Spahn used to be. He is the unquestioned ace, a superstar in a bigger market.

In 19 innings this year, Teheran has yet to allow a home run. Also, he will be the first Braves starter to pitch twice at SunTrust Park. In the opener against the San Diego Padres last Friday night, he went six, fanned five, walked four, allowed five hits and two runs to earn his first win.

Not the line score of greatness but, with the added hoopla of the night, not a bad opening act. Against the Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates, he did not allow an earned run. But, the Braves dropped both games. The story of Teheran’s young career.

Given the collective experience of the rotation behind him, the pressure is off Teheran some to perform. He will not take the hill as often trying to snap a losing streak. The addition of Brandon Phillips to a decent Braves offense will give run support.

The days of Teheran being Atlanta’s secret are over.

Washington has had success against Teheran. In 14 starts, he is 3-3, but with an ERA of 4.04. In three starts last year, Washington beat him once forcing an ERA of 5.50.

MATT WIETERS

Matt Wieters returns to the city where he played his college ball.

Drafted as a member of the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech, Wieters wants to erase a bad weekend from his memory. A wild pitch Sunday which he boxed helped the Phillies take the lead 3-1. Some bad swings and six wild pitches have fans increasingly irritated.

To Wieters credit, he finally threw out a runner trying to steal.

Three weeks into the season, Wieters bat has caught up from his late start this spring and is major-league ready. Despite drawing fans ire, he is hitting .314, drawn five walks and has a home run to his credit. From the bottom of the lineup, you can see him progress daily.

Remember, this is a contract year for him. Without question he will opt-out of his two-year deal. There is pressure on him to perform, not only from the Nats but from his agent Scott Boras.

The statistics do not paint the bleak picture painted in fans minds. He has done well replacing Wilson Ramos. But, it is clear he must win reluctant fans over.

Now on the third turn of the rotation, Wieters in-game calling of his pitchers has improved. He understands their strengths and the meetings to get on the same page during the game dwindle. Perhaps blocking a few more wild pitches would help everybody too.

Tuesday marks the fifth game Wieters has played in Atlanta since college. With a new team and park, his numbers with the Orioles against the Braves mean nothing.

ENDER INCIARTE

There are players who the mere mention of their name causes cursing under your breath. Justin Turner’s performance in the NLDS merits the distinction. Cesar Hernandez is a Nats killer and Ender Inciarte will cause lost sleep.

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Inciarte already has four home runs on the ledger as of Monday afternoon with seven RBI. The speedy centerfielder flags down nearly anything hit his way and will steal a bag when needed.

Although not one to draw walks by the carload, he owns a good batter’s eye and strikes out rarely. He is not a power hitter, but will slash triples. His home run total this year is two off his career-high. It is April 17.

Did we mention his Gold Glove last year?

As individual pieces, there is not one thing you can point to with Inciarte and worry about. He hits for average, but will never threaten for a batting crown. When you add everything together, he is the type of outfielder who will find ways to beat you.

Mind you, he drove in 29 runs last year but had a WAR score of 3.8. Traded for Shelby Miller with Dansby Swanson—it is ok if you laugh at this point—Inciarte just fits the new Braves.

Last year against the Nats, he posted his best numbers in the division. In 15 games, his slash line of .344/.403/.459 kept pitchers off balance. He scored 13 runs, had 21 hits and walked six times. Those are the best against any team in 2016.

Next: Hagerstown Flying Out Of Gate

The hard part of watching a player who has your number is realizing he is that good. In Inciarte’s case, it is true.

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