Nationals Notebook: Dealing with the Dodgers

Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams in action during a baseball match against the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday March in Washington AP Photo Nick Wass AP Nick Wass Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams in action during a baseball competition against the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday March in Washington AP Photo Nick Wass AP Nick Wass The Washington Nationals only took a week and a half to post their first series win of the season prevailing Saturday and Sunday against Arizona The month of April involves a -game road trip and dates with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets but first the Nats brace for the defending World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers LA cooled off over the weekend but still has more wins than any other group in MLB In a season where progress is expected to be made in the standings the Dodgers will provide quite a measuring stick Digesting the Division Philadelphia - took two of three from the Dodgers over the weekend in what numerous are thinking is a feasible playoff preview The Mets - might not be getting a great start from Juan Soto with one homer and three RBI but Pete Alonso has driven in to keep their offense running Miami - saw their competition against Atlanta get rained out Sunday The Marlins meet the Nats this upcoming weekend Washington - is kept out of the cellar by Atlanta - who ranks last in MLB with runs while hitting as a squad O s Woes Baltimore - finds itself in last place of the AL East after dropping consecutive series to Boston and Kansas City Despite ranking eighth in runs scored and ninth in ERA the Birds find themselves under But it s only April right Diamonds Direct Diamond King In the last seven days C J Abrams hit with three homers and five RBI atop the batting order In order for the offense that is making baby attempts tied for th in runs scored after ranking th last year to keep climbing they need their engine atop the lineup to keep on chugging Last Week s Heroes Reserve outfielder Alex Call made the majority of of his opportunities hitting with three RBI Mitchell Parker allowed one run over six innings while improving to - on the season Kyle Finnegan posted saves Saturday and Sunday against the Diamondbacks Last Week s Humbled Jose A Ferrer recorded two losses in relief Dylan Crews and Josh Bell each hit while Jacob Young went - at the plate Battle to Watch Wednesday the Nationals wrap up their series with the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers LA pitches Yoshinobu Yamamoto - ERA while the Nats counter with Jake Irvin who s off to a less than ideal start ERA through two starts Competition to Miss Friday the Nats begin their longest road trip of the season by visiting Miami and the Marlins are slated to pitch Cal Quantrill and his ERA Take the night off Source