Washington Nationals: 5 to watch in Beltway Series
By Ron Juckett
MATT WIETERS
Homecomings are tricky things.
Jayson Werth still draws loud boos seven years after leaving the Phillies. Daniel Murphy’s disdain of the Mets oozes through the television.
For Matt Wieters, it is hard to read how his first visit to Camden Yards will go not wearing the brown and orange. The four-time All-Star called Baltimore home for eight years. He won back-to-back Gold Gloves before needing Tommy John surgery.
It was a good relationship for years, but Baltimore made it clear last year they had no interest in retaining Wieters’ services. Now, he gets to answer all those questions again and again over the next four games. He should draw a warm reception his first time up. After that, not so much.
With Washington, Wieters is putting up the best numbers of his career. Understanding catchers wear out over the course of a long season, his slash line of .274/.365/.476 would be near or above career highs over a full season. He is doing what the Nats paid him to do.
Still, this is the week he circled on the calendar as bittersweet. You do not play 882 games for a team and not feel anything.
In 432 games with Baltimore at home, Wieters slammed 60 homers, 85 doubles and one triple. A .264 hitter, he knows the park and the pitchers well. Once his nerves settle, he is primed to play well.