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Can the Washington Nationals stay above .500?
The Nationals face the Rockies at Coors Field for the first half of this workweek. Here are three things to watch for:
- Stephen Strasburg’s impressive start along with Ryan Zimmerman’s two homers and two RBIs kept Washington from being swept by the lowly Miami Marlins.
- Who will produce with Anthony Rendon out? While the Nats third baseman was sidelined with an elbow injury after being hit by a pitch in Saturday’s outing against the Marlins, Howie Kendrick started in his place. Kendrick went 1-for-3 vs. Miami with one RBI and one strikeout. In terms of replacing Rendon’s hitting prowess, Victor Robles has started a streak of his own. The youngster is hot on a seven-game hit streak, including a bunt over the infield Sunday.
- Will the Nationals ever sure up their end game? Saturday ninth inning was on the brink of disaster. Kyle Barraclough allowed back-to-back walks, then Sean Doolittle loaded the bases. Luckily for the Nats, crisis averted.
The Nationals play the Rockies at 8:40 p.m. Monday.
