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Whereas it looks like his phrases had been extra a mirrored image on the Padres’ struggles, Bogaerts’ criticism additionally occurred to incorporate some fairly harsh phrases on the Nationals.
“C’mon, man. We’re enjoying the Nationals,” Bogaerts mentioned, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic. “I don’t suppose they’ve playoff aspirations. I imply, they clearly have a younger group and so they struggle. They do struggle. However I wouldn’t say anybody picked the Nationals to be within the playoffs. So it’s a must to beat the groups that it’s a must to beat.”
Whereas the previous longtime member of the Boston Crimson Sox is correct in his evaluation of Washington’s preseason expectations, it is not usually you hear a participant outright say that an opponent does not “have playoff aspirations” and that no person picked them to make the postseason.
After successful the World Collection in 2019, the Nationals went 26-34 through the pandemic-shortened 2020 marketing campaign, dropped to 65-97 in 2021 and completed 55-107 in 2022, which was the franchise’s most losses in a season since they misplaced 110 video games because the Montreal Expos in 1969. Since ending in first, second or third place within the NL East for 9 straight seasons (together with first or second from 2012-19), the group has had three consecutive last-place finishes.
Even after their two straight wins over the weekend, Washington continues to be simply 30-47 and is in final place within the NL East, 20 video games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves (50-27).
Bogaerts mentioned he sensed a “lack of struggle” from the Friars (37-41), who’re in fourth place within the NL West and 9.5 video games behind the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks (47-32).
After including Bogaerts to a stacked roster that already included the likes of Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto and Manny Machado on offense, in addition to Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish within the beginning rotation, many anticipated San Diego to problem the Los Angeles Dodgers for the division crown this 12 months. As an alternative, the Diamondbacks and second-place San Francisco Giants (44-34) have appeared like the larger menace to the Dodgers (43-34) over the primary half of the season.
By 72 video games overlaying 270 at-bats, Bogaerts’ slash line of .256/.341/.389 is his worst since his 2014 rookie marketing campaign. Whereas he is hit eight house runs and will cross his profession excessive of 15 stolen bases (he is acquired 9 already), his 27 RBIs are additionally effectively off the tempo of his 162-game common of 86.
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