Category: Sports News

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Colorado Rockies head to Petco Park for a four-game series with the San Diego Padres, with Game 1 taking place tonight.

These two teams are deadlocked at 6-6 in the NL West standings after Colorado’s surprising four-game winning streak.

See why the underdogs may not cool off so quickly in my Rockies vs. Padres predictions and MLB picks for Thursday, April 9.

Who will win Rockies vs Padres today: Rockies moneyline (+170)

Randy Vasquez was all the rage in spring training and in his first start due to his increased velocity. 

Turns out, that was illusory, as Vasquez was back down to his 2025 level (93.6 mph) during his April 4 start. His 5.37 xERA and 4.6% K-BB% with that velocity a year ago hardly indicate future success.

Colorado Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander is up a tick to 98.8 mph, has a solid 102 Pitching+, and will throw in tandem with an effective bullpen (2.74 SIERA).

The San Diego Padres have a lowly 85 wRC+ against RHP, so there’s cause for concern both at the dish and on the mound.

COVERS INTEL: Vasquez was one of the most fortunate hurlers in 2025 as his xERA and xFIP (5.51) both undersold his 3.84 ERA. The increased velocity from his first start is gone, as is the cold and windy weather from his second.

Rockies vs Padres Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-109)

Neither lineup has performed well enough to have confidence in an offense-oriented game. Colorado checks in with a 94 wRC+ while San Diego is even worse at 81.

The Padres have one of the most talented bullpens in the league, whereas the Rockies have been one of the most effective. 

Colorado has been an Under bettor’s dream this season, cashing tickets in nine of their 12 contests. 

Dollander has an effective 3.86 ERA on the road, holding batters to a .208 AVG, and his increased stuff to start the year should pay dividends against a down lineup.

Rockies vs Padres odds

• Moneyline: Rockies +164 | Padres -196
• Run line: Rockies +1.5 (-134) | Padres -1.5 (+112)
• Over/Under: Over 8 (-105) | Under 8 (-115)

Rockies vs Padres trend

The Rockies have hit the Under in 14 of their last 20 away games. Find more MLB betting trends for Rockies vs. Padres.

How to watch Rockies vs Padres and game info

Rockies vs Padres latest injuries

Rockies vs Padres weather

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

There's a small board to choose from for our MLB pickstoday, but our baseball experts have still found some value to get action on.

Our baseball experts are double-dipping on today's White Sox/Royals matchup, as well as banking on the Mets to bounce back, for their favorite plays today at Polymarket — which allows MLB fans all across the country to join in on the action.

MLB expert picks for today

Pick	Odds
Josh Inglis: CWS/KC u9.5	-108
Jon Metler: KC ML	-170
Joe Osborne: NYM ML	-156

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

Josh Inglis' expert pick: White Sox/Royals Under 9.5

Price: 52¢ (-108) at Polymarket

This is a big number for a Kansas City Royals squad that has been one of the best Under teams in the league at 4-8 O/U. The offense is coming off a three-game set in Cleveland, where it managed just seven runs and cashed the Under in each game. They're also sending Seth Lugo, who has allowed just three total runs through two starts, to the mound today against the White Sox. The wind is blowing out, which is inflating this total, but it feels like an overreaction given that both teams have recently been lined closer to 7.5.

Jon Metler's expert pick: Royals moneyline

Price: 63¢ (-170) at Polymarket

The Royals are trading as a 63% favorite, and this price still isn’t short enough — I make them closer to a 69% favorite in this matchup against Chicago. Seth Lugo features a deep arsenal, mixing seven different pitches, with his curveball serving as his primary weapon. That variety of off-speed pitches should create significant problems for a young White Sox lineup, which is anchored by Munetaka Murakami, who thrives when he can hunt fastballs... but that’s not what he’ll be seeing from Lugo today. If Murakami isn’t able to provide power in the middle of the order, the White Sox offense looks much less threatening.

Joe Osborne's expert pick: Mets ML

Price: 61¢ (-156) at Polymarket

Eduardo Rodriguez comes back down to earth tonight with the cooler temperatures in New York. He has a horrible track record at Citi Field, where he was rocked for eight earned runs in an April start last season, while also getting smacked for five earned runs there in a 2024 start. Meanwhile, Nolan McLean has looked sharp early, and Arizona’s offense ranks a brutal 27th in OPS vs righties. Add in a major bullpen edge (with the Mets third in ERA and the Diamondbacks 26th), and this sets up for a bounce-back win for New York.

More MLB best bets for today

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

NEW YORK — Early on in his career with the Houston Astros, J.D. Martinez was trying to find his way.

He was a 20th round pick out of Division II Nova Southeastern — less than an hour north of his native Miami. In his first three seasons with the Astros, he was back and forth between the minor leagues and far from the polished hitter he would become later in his career.

As he looked to become a better player, Martinez sought out help in the Astros clubhouse. In his own words, the veterans "weren't very nice."

"I remember seeing that and asking questions, and them kind of never answering, and them kind of blowing me off and just making my life a nightmare," Martinez said. "I remember saying, ‘If God ever blesses me where I'm in that position, I'm never going to treat a young guy like that, and I'll always answer any questions and help them out any which way,’ because I remember how helpless that feeling was and going through that whole process."

After a standout 14-year career, Martinez, who was a six-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and 2018 World Series champion, will be able to provide the mentorship that he felt he had been lacking early in his career as a special assistant to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.

What will J.D. Martinez's role with the Mets look like?

Martinez said his goal in his new role since playing his last major league game with the Mets in 2024 is to be a resource for the major league team. He feels like he has an experience that can relate with much of the roster, from being a top prospect, to being cut, to rising to one of the best hitters in the game, working through struggles and ultimately retiring.

"Just my knowledge with that and just helping any way I can, anything I see, whether it's in the offense, whether it's the strategy, whether it's mentorship, I'm just here to help out any way I can," Martinez said.

The Mets now have a Hall of Famer in Carlos Beltran and decorated hitter in Martinez as sounding boards for the players.

The addition of Martinez as a designated hitter right before the 2024 seasons served as one of the Mets' pivotal moves in the campaign. While he batted a modest .235/.320/.406 with 16 home runs, 69 RBI and 46 runs, the veteran had a commanding presence as a leader inside the clubhouse.

"It brings back memories to 2024 when he was a huge part for us and the impact, not only on the field but off the field, his knowledge," Carlos Mendoza said of having Martinez back. "Right away yesterday, having those interactions with him and watching him in the cages with the boys, behind the cage in batting practice, it's just the presence to it, not only with J.D. but having Carlos around too.

"Those are great baseball minds, not only in the hitting department but just baseball in general."

Along with the addition of Jose Iglesias, the Mets made a massive turnaround, clawing from 11 games under .500 to clinching a playoff spot on the final day of the season. That run helped endear Martinez to the Mets organization.

"I like what they're doing here. I like the team they built here," Martinez said. "I had a great experience here with the front office, with ownership, with the clubhouse, everything. It was just a really fun place to come. So I said, ‘You know what? Why not? Let's do it.’"

On coming out of retirement

Martinez said he finally put the bat down last spring after trying to prepare to land another spot with a major league team. He left his batting gloves and a bat at a facility after working out at a facility in Miami and never went back.

The Miami native finished his career with a career .863 OPS, including 331 home runs, 1,071 RBI, 897 runs and a bWAR of 30.8.

He used last summer to clear his mind after more than three decades playing baseball year-round. Martinez's Instagram showcases a summer filled with deep-sea fishing and professional pickleball.

But on Monday and Tuesday, it was back on the diamond at Citi Field. He expects to be in steady communication with this year's team with anything they need while coming to New York monthly for a homestand to be around the players.

And maybe he can have his fingerprints on another deep postseason run, albeit in a new, unfamiliar role.

"Obviously, at the beginning of the year, they weren't really scoring, they're starting to score a little bit more now," Martinez said. "Adding Freddy (Peralta) too is huge and the pitching staff, they've added, they're a threat. It's a really good baseball team."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: JD Martinez a mentor in NY Mets role to David Stearns

Team News

Ryne Nelson, Diamondbacks’ offense break out to even series with Metshttps://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/ryne-nelson-beats-mets/3617249/

Third time’s the charm! Nelson overpowers Mets after pair of rocky outings

Nelson’s fastball velocity was right around his season average (96.5 mph) early in the game, but as the sun went down and the wind picked up, it went down a tick. That didn’t seem to keep Nelson from being effective as he gave up just two hits through the first five innings. Of his 86 pitches, 65 were four-seam fastballs and he threw 14 sliders. “Cold day like today, it can be kind of tough to feel the spin [for breaking pitches],” Nelson said. “But that just allows me to use the fastball more, which I want to do anyway and jump ahead of guys, pound the zone with it.”

https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/ryne-nelson-bounces-back-in-solid-outing-vs-mets

Corbin Carroll’s Huge Day Sparks D-backs to Victory over Metshttps://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/arizona-diamondbacks-game-day/corbin-carroll-huge-day-sparks-d-backs-victory-mets

D-backs Corbin Carroll Stands Alone in This Impressive MLB Record

That 500th contest closed the door on a chapter of Carroll’s career — one in which he sat alone atop an MLB leaderboard. Per the D-backs.TV broadcast, Carroll is the only player in MLB history to record 120 stolen bases, 80 home runs and 40 triples through his first 500 games.

https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/arizona-diamondbacks-news/d-backs-corbin-carroll-stands-alone-impressive-mlb-record

E-Rod, McLean set for Classic rematch — with no title on the line this time https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/eduardo-rodriguez-nolan-mclean-world-baseball-classic-final-rematch-d-backs-mets

Diamondbacks Bring Back Controversial Veteran Reliever

“It’s one of those unfortunate parts of baseball where you start to… get behind with some pitching and you need arms. And you know, sometimes you have option-able players, sometimes you don’t. And Joe wasn’t, unfortunately was not throwing the ball that well,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said after the team initially designated the right-hander for assignment.
https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/arizona-diamondbacks-news/diamondbacks-sign-controversial-veteran-reliever-ross

Other Baseball

Davey Lopes Passes Away
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/04/davey-lopes-passes-away.html

Dodgers great Davey Lopes, four-time All-Star, dies at 80https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48431732/dodgers-great-davey-lopes-four-all-star-dies-80

Jorge Soler, Reynaldo López Given Multi-Game Suspensions
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/04/jorge-soler-reynaldo-lopez-given-seven-game-suspensions.html

Pirates announce 9-year deal with star prospect Konnor Griffin days after his MLB debuthttps://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/breaking-news/article/pirates-announce-9-year-deal-with-star-prospect-konnor-griffin-days-after-his-mlb-debut-144632043.html

Jorge Soler suspended 7 games, Reynaldo López settles for 5 games after throwing punches in Braves-Angels brawl

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/jorge-soler-suspended-7-games-reynaldo-lopez-settles-for-5-games-after-throwing-punches-in-braves-angels-brawl-035340195.html

Study: MLB average salary hits record $5.34M, led by Mets https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48437380/study-mlb-average-salary-hits-record-534m-led-mets

Ohtani ties Ichiro for longest on-base streak by Japanese-born player
https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-start-vs-blue-jays

Baby kangaroo steals hearts instead of bases at Rangers’ High-A affiliate gamehttps://www.mlb.com/news/baby-kangaroo-attends-rangers-high-a-affiliate-game?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

Anything Goes

This day in history:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-9

This day in baseball:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/April_9

Honey never spoils.

Here’s one of our sweetest did you know facts about food. When honey is heated and strained and sealed properly, it will not be able to absorb moisture and therefore will stay as it is forever. The oldest jar of honey ever found is stated to be over 5500 years old today. 

The Northwest Territories in Canada once wanted to rename itself.

One of the most amazing facts about this is that it was considered due to the recent separation from Nunavut in 1999. One of the names that were highly considered during the meeting was ‘bob’.

The Earth used to be purple.

Green is seen as a symbol of life, but scientists claim that the earliest life on Earth might have been purple. Currently, chlorophyll molecules create the greenish hue of organisms. However, scientists theorize that ancient microbes may have used a different molecule to harness sun rays, giving organisms a violet hue instead.

MINNEAPOLIS – It's early, but the Detroit Tigers are playing losing baseball.

The Tigers have a 4-7 record for fourth place in the American League Central through 11 games, but more notably, they've lost seven of their past nine games. Among the 30 MLB teams, the offense ranks 12th, the rotation ranks 16th and the bullpen ranks 14th.

There are 151 games remaining in the 2026 season.

"Team-wise, you're always pushing to play winning baseball," manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday, April 8, before the third of four games in the series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. "Right now, we haven't done that. We're trying to find ways to get back to our brand of baseball that produces those wins without overreacting."

Before Wednesday's game, Hinch revealed what the Tigers have been working on with all of their players early in the season – which extends throughout the entire 162-game schedule.

For position players, it's refusing to chase bad pitches and hitting the ball hard. For pitchers, it's throwing first-pitch strikes and getting into leverage with two strikes.

The Chicago White Sox are honoring Pope Leo XIV, one of their most famous fans, by giving out pope-themed hats to some in attendance for their home game against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 11.

According to the team, only a limited number of black and green hats, featuring the team's sock logo in the middle and shaped like a Pope's miter, will be given away.

There are caveats to receiving the hat: only fans seated in certain sections known as "pews" can receive one, and tickets must be purchased directly from the team.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, is a Chicago native and longtime White Sox fan, even attending Game 1 of the 2005 World Series against the Houston Astros. The White Sox swept the Astros, winning the title for the first time since 1917.

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (6-5) lost 3-1 (BOX SCORE)

Gordon started for Sugar Land and pitched really well striking out 5 over 5.1 innings allowing just one unearned run. The pen allowed a couple of runs as Tacoma extended their lead. In the 9th, the offense picked up one run on an Unroe RBI single but that would be it as Sugar Land fell 3-1.

Note: Gordon has a 1.76 ERA this season.

• Shay Whitcomb, SS: 2-for-4, 2 SB
• CJ Alexander, LF: 1-for-3, R, BB
• Collin Price, 1B: 1-for-2, 2B, 2 BB
• Kellen Strahm, RF: 1-for-3, BB
• Riley Unroe, 3B: 1-for-4, RBI

• Colton Gordon, LHP: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
• Jose Fleury, RHP: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
• Michael Knorr, RHP: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
• Alimber Santa, RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• Hudson Leach, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (2-3) won 9-6 (BOX SCORE)

The Hooks got on the board in the 2nd inning scoring 4 runs on a Bush solo home run, a run on an error and a Spence 2 run single. Mayer got the start but ran into trouble in the 2nd inning allowing 3 runs as he was pulled after just 1.2 innings. He was relieved by Swanson who allowed 1 run over 3.1 innings. The offense picked up another run in the 6th on a Ferreras RBI single, though the Mission tied it in the 8th. The teams exchanged runs in the 10th but in the 11th, the Hooks picked up 3 runs on a Bush bases loaded walk and RBI singles by Austin and Nelson. David closed it out with a scoreless 11th as the Hooks won 9-6.

Note: Bush has a 1.200 OPS this season.

• Joseph Sullivan, RF: 0-for-2, R, 4 BB
• Pascanel Ferreras, 2B: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, BB
• Lucas Spence, CF: 2-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
• Walker Janek, C: 0-for-6
• Will Bush, 1B: 2-for-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• Trevor Austin, 3B: 1-for-5, RBI, BB
• James Nelson, LF: 1-for-5, R, RBI, BB, SB
• Tommy Sacco, SS: 0-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 SB

• Bryce Mayer, RHP: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Nic Swanson, RHP: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• Trey Dombroski, LHP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• Derek True, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• Alejandro Torres, RHP: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• Ramsey David, RHP: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (WIN)

A+: Asheville Tourists (2-3) won 8-7 (BOX SCORE)

Asheville got on the board first scoring 4 runs in the 3rd inning on a Call solo HR, a run scoring on an error and a Schiavone 2 run HR. Taylor got the start and pitched well striking out 7 over 4 innings allowing just 1 run. The Grasshoppers took the lad in the 5th but the Asheville offense responded with 2 runs in the 6th on a Hernandez groundout and Powell RBI double. After the Grasshoppers tied it again, Thomas connected on a 2 run HR in the 8th to give Asheville the lead. The pen allowed a run in the 9th but held on for the 8-7 win.

Note: Cruz is hitting .364 this season.

• Caden Powell, RF: 1-for-5, R, 2B, RBI
• Ethan Frey, LF: 0-for-5
• Jason Schiavone, 1B: 2-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• Max Holy, SS: 0-for-3, R, BB
• Narbe Cruz, 2B: 3-for-4, 2 R
• Justin Thomas, CF: 2-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• Chase Call, DH: 1-for-4, R, HR, RBI
• Alberto Hernandez, 3B: 1-for-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB

• Andrew Taylor, RHP: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
• Nate Wohlgemuth, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
• Yeriel Santos, RHP: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (WIN)
• Eurys Martich, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K (SAVE)

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (1-4) lost 6-5 (BOX SCORE)

Potter started for the Woodpeckers and allowed 2 runs over 3 innings with 4 strikeouts as he made his professional debut. The Woodpeckers got on the board in the 4th inning on a Monistere RBI double. Oakes relieved Potter and was pitching well but allowed 2 runs in the 6th, as he also went 3 innings allowing 2 runs. The offense rallied for 4 runs in the 7th to take the lead on an Ochoa 2 run single and 2 runs scoring on errors. Varela allowed 2 runs in the top of the 8th as the RiverDogs retook the lead. The offense was unable to respond as the Woodpeckers fell 6-5.

Note: Huezo has two triples in four games.

• Kevin Alvarez, RF: 0-for-5
• Xavier Neyens, 3B: 0-for-3, R, BB, SB
• Nick Monistere, 2B: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, SB
• Anthony Huezo, DH: 1-for-4, 3B
• Josh Wakefield, CF: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 SB
• Arturo Flores, C: 0-for-2, R, BB, SB
• Nehomar Ochoa, 1B: 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB

• Nick Potter, RHP: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
• Kellan Oakes, RHP: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
• Leomar Rosario, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• Jose Varela, RHP: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Spencer Arrighetti – 7:05 CT

CC: James Hicks – 7:05 CT

AV: Cole Hertzler – 5:30 CT

FV: TBD – 5:35 CT

Morning, all!

The Rangers’ 2022 top international signee, Anthony Gutierrez, will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in the second inning of his first game. Someone has a little Anthony Gutierrez doll they’ve been sticking pins in as he has yet to play more than 80 games in a season.

Cody Bradford has hit a setback in his return from elbow surgery, though it’s unclear if it will significantly delay his planned return to the Rangers in May.

Jacob Latz is embracing his versatility, making five appearances thus far in multiple roles without giving up an earned run.

Evan Grant will be serving burgers at two different Rodeo Goat locations on Friday to benefit disadvantaged youths.

MacKenzie Gore only allowed one hit over five innings while striking out nine yesterday to complete a sweep of the Mariners.

This is the first time the Rangers have managed to sweep a series against the Mariners since 2023.

When you are trotting out Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, and MacKenzie Gore it definitely ups your chances of sweeping a three game series.

The Rangers say their data indicates that fly balls are going deeper at Globe Life than last year, so maybe this low scoring homestand is just a result of great pitching.

After a very fun road trip to open the season, the Nats got a serious reality check on their first home stand. The boys went 1-5, which was a serious gut punch to the fanbase. Any hopes of being surprisingly competitive feel gone, but what can the Nats do to be a fun team? It is early, but fans are already celebrating off days.

It is too much to ask this group to be a good team, but I still think they can be a fun and scrappy bad team. However, they need to do a few things to make that possible. That is what we are going to break down here. 

First off, they are going to have to fix the pitching. It is not going to be a good pitching staff or even an average one, but can Paul Toboni make some roster tweaks to make sure this is not the worst pitching staff in baseball? An easy way to make a season not fun is to have the worst pitching staff in baseball.

As things stand right now, the Nats have the worst pitching staff in all of baseball. With that in mind, they have plenty of spots up for grabs. Paul Toboni should take advantage of that and try out as many arms as he can. Those could be waiver claims or calling guys up from Rochester. They are going to have to cobble together a pitching staff, so that will mean a lot of turnover.

One guy I would really like to see sometime soon is Riley Cornelio. That could be as a starter or in the bullpen. The 25 year old looks like he has leveled up again after an impressive 2025 season. His stuff looks sharper and he has been getting a lot of whiff in AAA. In his two starts, Cornelio has 13 strikeouts in 9.1 innings. He is on the 40 man roster, and could be an upgrade either in the rotation or bullpen.

I want to see any arm that looks promising in AAA get a shot in the big leagues. Cornelio and Andrew Alvarez are obvious candidates to get called up because they are on the 40 man roster. We know Miles Mikolas is over the hill, why not give some of these younger arms a shot.

There was some optimism for the Nats pitching staff coming out of Spring Training, but that is gone. For the pitching staff to not be absolutely miserable, we are going to need to see a lot of turnover. I want to see as many guys get chances as possible. If they are not producing, it is on to the next guy.

The pitching staff is not going to be the reason for this team being fun though. That would be the offense. So far this season, the offense has looked really good, other than yesterday. The at bats look better than last year and there is a real plan at the plate.

For this team to be fun, these improvements need to have at least some staying power. A breakout that would really excite me is Brady House. Ever since Spring Training, the 22 year old has looked way better at the plate. He has always been able to hit the ball hard, but now he has a plan at the plate and is doing a better job elevating the ball.

The Nats have not had a legitimate answer at the third base position since Anthony Rendon left. Even if the Nats lose a bunch of games, a lot of that will be worth it if House proves he is the long term answer at third base. House is a fun player to watch when he is on his game. He is aggressive, but is learning how to control that swing happy approach. House also makes consistent loud contact, which we love to see.

Another guy who absolutely hammers the ball is James Wood. He is another key player if the Nats want to be fun. When he is on his game, he is an absolute joy to watch. Wood consistently hits balls over 110 MPH. That kind of laser show is very fan friendly. His opposite field homers are also awe inspiring. He can hit a ball 430 feet and it does not even look like a full swing.

When Wood is struggling though, he is not a very fun player to watch. Strikeouts, especially strikeouts looking are frustrating to watch. We know Wood strikes out a lot when he is struggling. However, when he is on his game, he keeps the strikeouts in check. Wood only has two strikeouts in his last 15 at bats, which we love to see.  

The offense will be the unit that makes the Nats fun, and Wood is their most talented offensive player. That means he will bear a big responsibility in making this team watchable. However, there are plenty of solid bats in this Nats lineup. CJ Abrams, Daylen Lile, Luis Garcia Jr., and even Joey Wiemer have shown they can be very fun when they are on heaters.

One player who is not with the team now that can make the Nats more exciting is Dylan Crews. After a rough spring, Crews was surprisingly demoted to AAA. However, we will see him at some point this year. When Crews is hitting, he can be a fun player to watch. He is a very energetic player and can provide a spark. If he shows life at the plate, it would provide optimism to a fanbase that is tired of losing.

While there was some hope after that first road trip, it seems like that was a false dawn. The Nats are going to lose a lot of games this year. However, that does not mean this team is destined to be unwatchable. If the offense keeps clicking and the Nats front office finds at least a couple answers on the pitching staff, this could be a fun bad team rather than a totally depressing one.