District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals: Anibal Sanchez Returns Wednesday

By Matt Holleran

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Washington Nationals walks back to the dugout with athletic trainer Paul Lessard after being injuried in the second inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on May 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Washington Nationals walks back to the dugout with athletic trainer Paul Lessard after being injuried in the second inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on May 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After hitting the IL with a left hamstring injury, Washington Nationals’ starter Anibal Sanchez will make his return Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves.

For the Washington Nationals to make an improbable comeback and get themselves back into playoff contention, they need their starting pitching to lead the way. Over the years the Nationals have invested everything they can in making sure they have a top-tier starting staff that can compete with anyone in all of baseball.

In the past offseason, Washington took a gamble on their fourth and fifth starter spots. The Nationals signed right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who had a breakout 2018 season posting a 2.83 E.R.A. in 136.2 innings. Sanchez fittingly was pitching for the team he will face in his return on Wednesday night, the Atlanta Braves.

The veteran right-hander played a vital role in the Braves winning the National League East in 2018, but his start to the 2019 season has looked more like the guy we saw struggle in Detroit than the one we saw flourish in Atlanta.

So far this season Sanchez’s biggest problem has been his inability to consistently throw strikes. The right-hander has walked at least one runner in every game he has started this season and has walked three or more runners four times. Sanchez currently sports a 1.677 WHIP and 5.3 BB/9. Both of these are very uncharacteristic of Sanchez who is a pitcher who relies on his control to be successful.

When Washington signed Sanchez to a two-year, $18 million dollar deal this offseason they needed him to be a consistent presence in the four spot of their rotation. To this point, they have not gotten that, and Sanchez has been inconsistent at best.

Next. Grading the 2018-19 Washington Nationals’ Acquisitions. dark

If the Washington Nationals want to make a real run at having a chance at making the postseason this year, Anibal Sanchez has to be a vital part of that run. After spending 10 days on the injured list, Washington hopes Sanchez will come of the IL as his 2018 self, not the guy he has been so far in 2019.

Home/Nationals News