Opinion
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Nationals vs Diamondbacks: Can WSH Overcome Recent Struggles at Chase Field?

The Washington Nationals are gearing up for what promises to be a challenging encounter against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Nationals, having faced a tough season, find themselves in a position where every game is critical to salvage pride and possibly turn their fortunes around. However, recent performances suggest that the road ahead is fraught with challenges.


Jun 20, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA;  Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas (28) hits a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inningat Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

In their last outing against the San Diego Padres on July 25th, the Nationals were unable to muster any runs, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat. This game highlighted several areas of concern for WSH; notably, their inability to convert scoring opportunities into runs. With zero hits across nine innings and an overall batting average plummeting to .000 in that game alone, it's clear that offensive woes are plaguing the team.


Pitching hasn't fared much better for the Nationals. Patrick Corbin's ERA of 5.351 reflects broader issues on the mound - issues that have contributed significantly to WSH's struggles this season. Against San Diego Padres on July 24th and July 23rd, Nationals' pitchers allowed a staggering total of 16 runs over two games while striking out only six batters across nine innings in each match.


Jun 20, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (12) singles against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Contrastingly, the Diamondbacks come into this matchup with momentum on their side. Their balanced approach between pitching and hitting has served them well throughout the season, making them formidable opponents for any team.


For Washington Nationals fans looking towards this upcoming game as a potential turning point in their season might want to temper expectations unless significant adjustments are made both offensively and defensively.


Jun 20, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson (19) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The key question remains: Can WSH overcome these recent struggles against AZ? To do so would require not just marginal improvements but rather significant leaps forward in performance across all aspects of play - from pitching accuracy and consistency through to hitting power and converting runners into scorers.


As we look ahead towards July 31st at Chase Field in Phoenix at 3:40 PM EDT broadcasted on MASN2, it will be interesting to see how or if the Washington Nationals can address these glaring issues against an Arizona Diamondbacks team poised to capitalize on any weaknesses presented by their opponents.

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