03.28.2014 | E X PR ES S |
Nats 2014
weekend | 17
Chesapeake Research Group, LLC “Health on the Horizons”
HOW THE EAST WAS WON
The Nationals finished 10 games behind the Braves in the NL East last year. Here are five statistics that help explain the gap: Errors 85
107
Runs scored after the sixth inning 185 Bullpen ERA 2.46
217
3.56
13-6 21 The Braves’ record in headto-head games with the Nats.
Number of blown saves by the Nats. The Braves had 16.
CATCHER
STARTERS
BULLPEN
MANAGER
Wilson Ramos Ramos has shown flashes, but he’s played in only 103 games the past two seasons. He averaged a home run per 17.9 at-bats in 2013, which would have ranked 14th in baseball if he qualified.
Stephen Strasburg, above, leads a unit that had four pitchers finish in the top 40 in ERA last season, including offseason pickup Doug Fister. The right-handed Fister was 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA with the Tigers in 2013.
The Nats have three relievers with closer experience and will turn to Rafael Soriano, above, again for this year’s ninth-inning duties. The 34-year-old converted 43 of 49 save opportunities in 2013.
Matt Williams The first-year manager has talked about how he’ll take an aggressive approach to lead this group. Despite missing the postseason in 2013, the Nats still face high expectations.
Evan Gattis The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder played catcher and outfield in 2013, but he should see more time behind the plate this year with Brian McCann gone. He hit 21 homers in 105 games but went through long slumps at times.
It’s been an injuryplagued spring for the Braves’ pitching staff — which lost ace Kris Medlen for the season after he underwent Tommy John surgery. Julio Teheran, above, will be Atlanta’s opening-day starter.
There’s not a better closer in baseball than Craig Kimbrel, above, who recorded an NLmost 50 saves in 2013. In the past two years, he’s blown just seven saves and has allowed 16 earned runs in 129⅔ innings (1.11 ERA).
Fredi Gonzalez He took over for Hall of Famer Bobby Cox in 2011. Gonzalez has led the Braves to the playoffs in two of his three seasons and has finished top five in NL manager of the year voting all three years.
Who’s got the edge?
Who’s got the edge?
Who’s got the edge?
Who’s got the edge?
Healthy Volunteer To qualify for our clinical study, you must be: 18-55 yrs of age In general good health The study involves 4 visits to our clinical site.
For more information: Call 410-761-0118 or email info@crgmd.com
Participants may receive up to
375
$
in compensation