Though hovering around third and fourth in the National League (NL) East most of the season thus far, Washington proved their elite potential on Saturday with a 2-1 win over the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

Stephen Strasburg started for the Nationals, allowing just one run in 6.2 innings while striking out nine batters. Strasburg, an ace on almost any other team, has pitched under the shadow of Max Scherzer in recent seasons. He improved to 5-3 with a 3.28 ERA with the strong outing.

Bryce Harper led the Nationals at the plate, collecting two hits with an RBI and a walk. The star outfielder now has 29 RBIs this season, but is still hitting a disappointing .237.

The Diamondbacks (24-15) won every series they played in April, but have now lost four straight games. Injuries to their rotation have finally caught up, while annual MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt is hitting an alarming .216.

Arizona do not have to hit the panic button yet, but they have some holes that need filling in order to seriously make a deep postseason run.

LINDOR IMPRESSES

Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is rarely mentioned as one of the best hitters in baseball, but he proved he should be in a 6-2 win over the Royals. Lindor went four for four with four runs scored, two home runs and two RBIs, while raising his average to .311 this season.

Cubs catcher Willson Contreras went three for five with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Cubs to an 8-4 win over the White Sox. Contreras now has three home runs and 11 RBIs in his last three games.

AWFUL ARCHER

Rays ace Chris Archer was one of the hottest trade commodities this offseason, as contenders tried to pluck the flamethrower from Tampa. The Rays held on, and likely wish they had not as Archer surrendered six runs off seven hits in a 6-3 loss to the Orioles to fall to 2-3 this season with a 5.64 ERA.

FREEMAN ON FIRE

In case you have not heard, Freddie Freeman is on fire right now.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

New York Yankees 7-6 Oakland AthleticsChicago Cubs 8-4 Chicago White SoxBaltimore Orioles 6-3 Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay Rays 10-3 Baltimore OriolesWashington Nationals 2-1 Arizona DiamondbacksBoston Red Sox 5-2 Toronto Blue JaysCleveland Indians 6-2 Kansas City RoyalsDetroit Tigers 4-3 Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners 9-5 Detroit TigersPittsburgh Pirates 6-5 San Francisco GiantsHouston Astros 6-1 Texas RangersAtlanta Braves 10-5 Miami MarlinsColorado Rockies 4-0 Milwaukee BrewersCincinnati Reds 5-3 Los Angeles Dodgers​Minnesota Twins 5-3 Los Angeles AngelsSan Diego Padres 2-1 St Louis Cardinals

METS AT PHILLIES

Jacob deGrom returns from the disabled list (elbow) to face off against Aaron Nola and the Phillies. Both teams are contending in the strong NL East, with Philadelphia dominating at home. Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera has been on fire lately, reaching base in 40 straight games, while leading MLB in average this season. DeGrom will have his hands full against the Phillies’ young, potent lineup.

0 votes