Washington Nationals: Trea Turner picked the right time to get hot
He’s getting on base at a better clip and the team is scoring more runs. Trea Turner is swinging a hot bat and it may have come at the perfect time.
There is an old adage in baseball which says a team can only go as far as their leadoff hitter. If this statement is true, I’m glad Trea Turner is searing hot, as the Washington Nationals could stand to win a few more games.
A year ago, a broken finger sidelined Turner and the Nationals play suffered. He was on the injured list for six weeks and the team was eight games under .500 when he returned. While this wasn’t rock bottom yet, they were thankful to have their leadoff hitter back in the lineup. Turner would finish the year with a .298 batting average and career best-tying 19 home runs.
This year has seen both Turner and the Nationals struggle as well. Ten games into the season, in the midst of being swept by the Baltimore Orioles, Turner took an 0-4 and saw his average dip to .184.
Since that game Turner has a hit in all but one game, and is currently riding a nine game hitting streak. His three hits Sunday against Miami marked his third, three hit performance during the streak.
He is doing more than just setting the table. He is hitting home runs as well as driving runs in. Of course, he is also the catalyst for the offense. Turner has scored at least one run in twelve of the last thirteen games.
His average is all the way up to .316 and he now leads the team in hits and runs scored. His five home runs, from the leadoff spot in the order, are second on the team to Juan Soto.
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Turner’s hot streak has coincided with a little dry spell from Adam Eaton. If he can find the stroke, and Turner can continue getting on base at such a clip, the Nationals will be in better position to win more games.
With the season about half over, Turner’s hot streak couldn’t have come at a better time.