I was looking at the Nationals depth chart, and I saw two things that amazed me. First, former Yankee one game starter, Tim Redding was holding a 3.20 ERA with a 4-2 record and 27 strikeouts for the Nationals. In his one start with the Yankees back in 2005, he lasted 1 inning, and gave up 6 earned runs. Further more, I came across former Yankee catcher Wil Nieves who was batting .353 with a homerun and 8 rbi's. This is the same Wil Nieves who batted .164 for us last season. It was just last year that Dmitri Young bounced back from a rocky time with Detroit and won the NL Comeback Player of the Year, batting .320. Remember Alfonso Soriano? He hit .268 with 36 homeruns, and 30 stolen bases for the Rangers in 2005, who play in a hitter friendly ball park. The next season, in pitcher friendly Nationals park, he hit .277 with 41 homers, and 41 stolen bases on his way to his first 40-40 season. I don't know what it is about the Nationals, but they really get the most out of their players.
In a completely unrelated note, Kansas City's closer Joakim Soria is surprisingly matching Mariano Rivera in numbers this year. Mariano has thrown 14 innings, and has recorded 9 saves with 12 strikeouts and has yet to allow an earned run. Soria has thrown 13.1 innings with 8 saves, 15 strikeouts, and has also yet to allow an earned run. So now its on. The Respect Jeter's Gangster blog has initiated the Great Earned Run Race. Its much like a foot race only the first to cross the finish line loses. Who will give up the first earned run of 2008? Only time will tell.
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I always felt so bad for Nieves since he was just starting to hit when we DFA'd him. I'm glad he's playing regularly and well. Being in the NL helps, at least for Redding, and it's early, but hopefully they can keep it going.
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