Davey Martinez’s membership was 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place and 7 left on base of their 5-0 loss to the Cubs in Chicago’s Wrigley Subject on Sunday afternoon, their third loss in 4 video games on the ultimate street cease of the season. Washington’s Nationals wrapped up the ‘24 street schedule 33-48, and now they head dwelling for six extra video games, three with Kansas Metropolis’s Royals (who had been tied for the second AL Wild Card spot as of Sunday night time) and the NL East leaders, the Philadelphia Phillies, (who’re 5.0 video games up within the division, having clinched the suitable to go to the postseason already).
“I would like these guys to go on the market and play for one thing too,” Martinez stated of ending up the schedule in opposition to two groups within the playoff combine.
Picture by Quinn Harris/Getty Pictures
“I imply, hey, consider it or not there [are] lots of selections to be revamped the winter time,” the skipper continued.
“I would like these guys to make it arduous for myself, [GM Mike Rizzo], the entrance workplace, and see what we’ve obtained. I would like these guys to complete robust.”
They’re 8-12 coming this month off a 1-6 street journey, with shutout losses in 4 of seven video games, and three video games with only one run scored over that stretch.
The main focus now, Martinez stated, is evaluating what they’ve whereas attempting to complete robust on the finish of an extended season.
“This time of 12 months, it’s the psychological sport. Lots of issues happening. Guys are getting near going dwelling,” he stated, “… and guys are getting near taking part in winter ball, however we nonetheless obtained video games right here, so I would like them to complete up robust.”
Requested what his hitters must do to show the present pattern round, and end robust of their last six video games, Martinez stated they must cease chasing, a message he and his coaches prefer to stress each day with the younger ballclub.
“We had some innings going the place we might’ve obtained some runs,” he defined.
“We simply couldn’t drive in any runs. The most important factor is we obtained to get higher at driving in runs, attacking the strike zone, staying within the strike zone. We simply begin chasing, we actually do. We begin chasing lots of pitches. We get the ball within the zone, as I at all times say, we hit the ball pretty properly, however we obtained to cease chasing in these moments and let the pitcher be the man that seems like he’s obtained to wrestle. We’re younger. We’re going to get higher.
“That is a part of a educating second the place we have now to inform them, ‘Hey, we have now to get the ball within the zone with guys on base.
“Don’t put the strain on your self, don’t attempt to stand up there and swing on the first pitch, search for a strike.”
How does his group put the recommendation they’ve been given into observe extra successfully?
“I can’t swing for them,” Martinez stated. “We simply obtained to relay the message, we obtained to inform them. We present them the zones, we present them the zones the place they’re actually good. They obtained to remain within the zone, they’ve obtained to grasp who they’re, and lots of instances as a result of they’re younger, they at all times wish to be the man. Typically they press up there, we simply obtained to get them again within the zone and inform them, ‘Hey, while you guys search for the ball right here and the ball’s right here you hit the ball rather well.’”
