The Washington Nationals have dropped two video games in a row to push their document to 3-5.
While it was at all times going to be an uphill battle against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the hope was the Nationals would no less than have displaying after they took two out of three towards the Chicago Cubs and have been near doing the identical towards the Philadelphia Phillies. But Washington’s beginning pitchers have let them down of their two video games towards the Dodgers, which has made it laborious for the offense to climb out of these holes.
That particularly is true due to the struggles of James Wood. The younger star has not had begin to the 12 months by going 4-for-36 by means of eight video games with an MLB-leading 16 strikeouts in comparison with 4 walks. And based mostly on how he completed final season, there are many alarm bells going off.
Blake Butera Not Pushing Panic Button at This Time
Manager Blake Butera mentioned Wood’s efficiency on the plate after the sport on Saturday, and he does not appear overly nervous but, with him stating, “It’s been 35 at-bats, so I don’t want to overreact too much. We know James is a really good hitter. But we’re also trying to help him get back to who he is.”
There must be no less than some concern pulsing by means of the group about Wood. He seemed just like the face of this franchise within the first half of final season. But following his participation within the Home Run Derby, issues went off the rails for the slugger within the second half of the 12 months which has carried over into 2026.
Strikeouts are the primary difficulty with the 23-year-old. Butera beforehand acknowledged they did not need to change a lot about Wood’s strategy on the plate in concern that it will take away from his energy numbers. But the slugger has been non-competitive in lots of at-bats this season, which must be addressed.
“I think if you talk to James, he wants to probably capitalize maybe on some pitches earlier in at-bats. He seems to be down, like you mentioned, 0-2 or 1-2 almost every at-bat it feels like. And I think he is starting to put better swings on pitches earlier in the counts, he’s just not quite in sync at this moment,” Butera added.
Could James Wood Get a Reset in Triple-A?
It can be stunning to see the Nationals ship Wood right down to Triple-A, however the same could have been said regarding Dylan Crews to start out the 12 months. Because of that, if this regime believes the most effective factor for the long-term way forward for Wood is to provide him time in Rochester to get issues found out, then there’s an opportunity it occurs.
When which may happen is not clear, however it looks like the teaching employees is doing all they’ll to assist the rising star get issues going on the plate quickly earlier than they need to make that powerful resolution. While the strikeouts will at all times be part of Wood’s sport, he has to do injury to pitches extra typically if he’ll be an efficient hitter within the bigs, not to mention an elite participant like many believed he was going to turn into through the first half of final season.
So, as at all times, Wood might be somebody to maintain an eye fixed on through the subsequent few weeks. Hopefully he can get issues going, but when not, then he may discover himself down on the farm getting a reset in.
