The Nats Shake-Up

On the first six games of a road trip where the Nats should reasonably have gone 3-3, they stumble to a 1-5 record -- most recently a sweep at the hands of the woeful Cincinnati Reds. Some now think the sky-is-falling for the Nats, and Trader Jim has mandated a shake-up. But let's put things a bit into perspective, as we enter a tougher stretch against St. Louis, Atlanta and Florida:

-- There's been a shake-up for the better with the Nats' pitching staff. Claudio "I" Vargas started three of the six games in the series, and got shelled in every one of them. Not one of Frank's finer moments, but he's now been designated for assignment. Replacing his roster spot is TJ Tucker, just off the DL. Innings from just-recalled Sunny-Woo Kim and Toma Ohka are bound to help. Also in the mix is now CJ Nitkowski, a former Bowden draftee and long-time-ago top prospect (with Cincy and Detroit) who has been lights-out for the Pirates' AAA team and was just cut by them. Zach Day was sent down, and based on his recent performances, that can only be a good move.

The bad news is that Jon Rauch is likely out for most of the season, yet another injury in the Expos/Nats' second straight season of health woes. Still, this is an improved pitching staff. We've already had good luck with Gary Majewski and Hector Carrasco, who started out at AAA. Let's hope Trader Jim goes 3-3 with Nitkowski.

-- Jeffrey Hammonds is no longer on the team, injuring himself to the 15-day-DL in the Toronto series. Brendan Harris should be a decent improvement off the bench. Wil Cordero is also coming back relatively soon. Tyrel Godwin is also here, but will likely be sent down May 31 when John Patterson is eligible to come off the DL.

-- Cristian Guzman blows, but he's not 450-OPS bad. No one on this team has been hitting lately, and that's bound to change. One hot streak by Wilkerson or Guillen, and -- bam -- we'll forget about this hitting funk.

-- The Braves aren't that good, as Lior's been documenting lately. The Nats have a winning record (3-2) against them this season and their offense is abysmal. Furcal, Jordan, and Mondesi all have sub-.300 on-base percentages -- among the worst in the league at their respective positions. Adam LaRoche and Johnny Estrada haven't improved on his 2004 season and the only above-average hitter in their lineup is oft-injured Chipper Jones. They've had injuries to their pitching staff too, with top starters Hampton and Thomson out for the foreseeable future. Mazzone is indeed a genius, but as we know, injuries can eventually catch up to you.

I'm predicting a 5-4 stretch against the NL's best. Matt Morris (4-0, 3.50 ERA) versus Tony Armas (1-2, 5.49 ERA) tomorrow night, 8:10 p.m.

UPDATE: CJ Nitkowski has a website! Check out CJ's favorite restaurants (wonder what he'll rate the top DC eats?) And kids, check out CJ's autograph tips! I think Nitkowski's a fine short-term solution. Anyone who only has allowed six hits in 22 innings is worth a shot. (Yes, he walked nine during that period as well, not a great sign.) Maybe he'll be to the Nats in 2005 what David Newhan was to the Orioles last year.