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Washington Nationals: Takeaways from California

By Ron Juckett

June 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Koda Glover (30) reacts during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
June 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Koda Glover (30) reacts during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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RYAN ZIMMERMAN MVP CANDIDATE

Ryan Zimmerman’s 2017 is not a fluke.

As Bryce Harper cools, Zimmerman’s production continues to impress. Over the last two weeks, Zimmerman’s slash line is .364/.429/.682. That gives him an OPS of 1.110. You win triple crowns with those numbers.

What started in the back end of March in Florida has carried on through the year. Sure, his torrid April was not sustainable, but his May and early June numbers are. Finally playing against Oakland, he hit .462 over the weekend.

Whether he is fully healthy after years of nagging injuries, working with video to improve his swing or having his ear talked off by Daniel Murphy on hitting—we suspect all three—it is working. For the first time in years, Zimmerman is a feared hitter.

The big difference is hitting between Harper and Murphy. Pitchers have yet to pitch around Zimmerman and it shows. The second hitter sandwiched in the Nats big four, he is crushing mistakes and good pitches. With a third of the season down, the change gets harder to make. Are opponents pitching around him for Murphy? No.

Two homers shy of the all-time franchise record, would it be wonderful if Zimmerman broke it on this homestand? The first true National may be the most important this year.

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