VIERA, Fla. – The arms are mightier than the bats.
The Nationals entered spring training with an embarrassment of riches on the mound and the distinction of being the World Series favorite.
The pitching rotation has not disappointed, with one starter after another putting zeroes on board.
But you can’t win unless you score.
The Nationals’ offense has managed just four runs over the past three games.
In that stretch, the starting pitchers combined for 17 innings, giving up just a single run.
The Nats have no wins to show for it.
“I’m seeing not a lot of production,” manager Matt Williams said after a 1-1 tie with the Cardinals on Friday. “We need to get on that.”
Jordan Zimmermann threw six innings–his longest outing of the spring–and gave up just one run.
He entered the game with a 1.32 ERA. Max Scherzer has thrown 20 innings, posting a 1.35 ERA. Gio Gonzalez is right behind them with a 2.63 ERA.
“They’ve worked hard, and they are prepared,” Williams says. “They’re ready to get to opening day and have it mean something.”
For the second consecutive day at Space Coast Stadium, pitchers faced strong, circling wind gusts.
Zimmermann said afterwards it made off-speed deliveries more difficult, but he still managed to have a productive start.
“The first couple starts I was working on some stuff and just working on some pitches, but now I’m setting guys up and attacking and going after them like I would during the season,” he says.
Perhaps the biggest problem for the offense has been injuries to Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon and Denard Span.
Bryce Harper was also out of the lineup Thursday with an upset stomach.
“Guys are out there on the bases, and we want to get them in,” Williams says. “We’re going to have to do a better job of that.”
