Washington Nationals: 5 to watch in Beltway Series

By Ron Juckett | May 8, 2017

May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) gets congratulations from third base coach Bob Henley (13) after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

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DYLAN BUNDY

In his first full season in the rotation, Dylan Bundy is taking the AL by storm.

Tied for the league lead with five wins, Bundy is a classic contact pitcher who relies on his defense behind him to win. An ERA of 2.17 and 1.051 WHIP will do that.

He throws strikes, 64 percent to be exact and keeps flyballs in the yard. With hitter-friendly Camden Yards as home, that is a tough task. Yet he scattered three home runs over 45.2 innings. His low-90s fast ball is mixed with a curve, slider and change.

A soft-tossing flyball pitcher who does not strike out many is the exception, not the norm. In seven starts, Bundy has six innings as a minimum, with two starts at seven.

There is not anything flashy about Bundy, but his consistency is the key to his success. No team has scored over three off him. Only the Red Sox drew over two walks. Washington will have their hands full Thursday.

Bundy beat the Nats last year in his first start against them. On August 22, he scattered two runs on three hits over six. He walked four and struck out four. Anthony Rendon took him deep for a solo shot.

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