This team doesn't have a true leadoff-type guy. Someone like Young COULD be, if he had better plate discipline and put the ball in play a bit more. Or Crews, for the same reasons.
In the absence of a proper leadoff man, putting a kid like Wood -- who DID show a healthy command of the zone for most of 2025 and has good wheels -- isn't a crazy idea. He'll likely see more fastballs there and, if he ever does start mashing, teams will work around the zone and he'll draw more walks. An old friend likes to say leadoff walks score 108% of the time!
It's actually intended to lower the pressure for him. Seeing more fastballs will allow him to think less and, hopefully, swing more. Throwing a slugger in the leadoff spot is increasingly used to get guys out of a slump, especially if he's got a strong handle on the strike zone.
I'd be surprised if this is a long-term thing. Then again, we're all still learning the Toboni/Butera approach so... we'll see.
I have no problem with the theory. After the last 6 weeks the f this season and the first weekend of this season, it’s time to think about moving him down until he can get right. Have a leadoff guy who average greater than one K per game does neither him nor the team any good.
I really like the comfort in playing the matchups as well as doing what they said they would do about rotating with AAA. I have to imagine that communication has gone to the players too? The Chaparro move seemed odd
The difference between a host of guys on the 26-man and those toiling in AAA isn't very big. Based on early moves, it seems "odd" may be the standard in 2026! This team may challenge the record for most players used on the active MLB roster in a season.
Not me, but I'm sure the Nats have their reasons. All I'm expecting these days is to expect the lineup to change daily and to include a perhaps more-than-occasional surprise or two.
Joey is viewed as a platoon bat. He would only start against lefties, but being a hot bat, Butera kept him in the lineup today -- but he ain't going in near the top of the order against a righty.
I’m surprised Wood remains the leadoff, but am not also necessarily worried about it. Box score isn’t enough to see that his approach has improved, and I’ll take loud outs as positive trend over just three true outcomes. This management team clearly has objectives for each player where they hit, and I trust whatever it is they expect from him up first
I just figured out that on my iPad, with Nationals.tv in the MLB app, I can select either the TV audio or the radio audio. Gonna try watching with the Dave/Charlie audio this way to see how well it syncs.
I’m a little surprised Wood is still hitting leadoff.
Same here. I’d like to see him in the 3 or 4 hole
This team doesn't have a true leadoff-type guy. Someone like Young COULD be, if he had better plate discipline and put the ball in play a bit more. Or Crews, for the same reasons.
In the absence of a proper leadoff man, putting a kid like Wood -- who DID show a healthy command of the zone for most of 2025 and has good wheels -- isn't a crazy idea. He'll likely see more fastballs there and, if he ever does start mashing, teams will work around the zone and he'll draw more walks. An old friend likes to say leadoff walks score 108% of the time!
I ageee we do t have a true leadoff guy. I was thinking more of the pressure it puts on Wood. He is clearly struggling.
It's actually intended to lower the pressure for him. Seeing more fastballs will allow him to think less and, hopefully, swing more. Throwing a slugger in the leadoff spot is increasingly used to get guys out of a slump, especially if he's got a strong handle on the strike zone.
I'd be surprised if this is a long-term thing. Then again, we're all still learning the Toboni/Butera approach so... we'll see.
I have no problem with the theory. After the last 6 weeks the f this season and the first weekend of this season, it’s time to think about moving him down until he can get right. Have a leadoff guy who average greater than one K per game does neither him nor the team any good.
As long as they keep winning, you're outta luck. 😉
If you like Mead so much, why not let Tena go and keep Chaparro’s bat at DH?
Chaparro has options, Tena hasn’t
Yup. Still wondering why keep Tena? And now he is DH?
I am fascinated by how the Nats are setting their lineups based on match-ups. I just hope the get a CURLY W against the opponent tonight!
GO NATS!!
Me, too - the fascination AND the hope!
Go, Nats!!
Certainly don’t like not having JY in center in that park. I don’t care if he doesn’t hit, the run prevention is critical.
Is Joey Wiemer that bad on defense?
In Philly? That place is a Little League park... it's one of the few places you can get away with weaker OF defense due to all the HRs! ;)
https://youtube.com/shorts/UgPxKGi5-lg?si=sgiZpQyzG_TAQWea
https://youtube.com/shorts/2N8Bx86Ga2E?si=yKPB8rXnqIG3tJzg
https://youtube.com/shorts/cynFQSTOI_E?si=1nF9xG93CPSYyl_F
https://youtu.be/_VcIlDxXQtU?si=211DRjZLMPQTL10A
https://youtu.be/0dSIhdkkdfw?si=RBTATzeXxUnLn3Ja
https://youtu.be/na3dLjjdkoU?si=SX_OggGCsrbtnU9P
I really like the comfort in playing the matchups as well as doing what they said they would do about rotating with AAA. I have to imagine that communication has gone to the players too? The Chaparro move seemed odd
The difference between a host of guys on the 26-man and those toiling in AAA isn't very big. Based on early moves, it seems "odd" may be the standard in 2026! This team may challenge the record for most players used on the active MLB roster in a season.
I liked Chaparro's hitting more than his defensive play
The Nats seem to have an excess of DH-quality fielders on the 40-man.
Who had Weimer in the 9 hole?
Line up construction is fascinating.
Not me, but I'm sure the Nats have their reasons. All I'm expecting these days is to expect the lineup to change daily and to include a perhaps more-than-occasional surprise or two.
Joey is viewed as a platoon bat. He would only start against lefties, but being a hot bat, Butera kept him in the lineup today -- but he ain't going in near the top of the order against a righty.
I’m surprised Wood remains the leadoff, but am not also necessarily worried about it. Box score isn’t enough to see that his approach has improved, and I’ll take loud outs as positive trend over just three true outcomes. This management team clearly has objectives for each player where they hit, and I trust whatever it is they expect from him up first
I'm pumped. Toboni and Butera are ringing in the new #ReigniteTheFight era.
Coverage doesn't start until 6:30?
Didn't we get at least half an hour from Chicago?
Nope, unsat
Yeah, totally.
No not really
I just figured out that on my iPad, with Nationals.tv in the MLB app, I can select either the TV audio or the radio audio. Gonna try watching with the Dave/Charlie audio this way to see how well it syncs.
Well unfortunately it doesn't sync very well.
I had to delay the Radio feed by 15 seconds…
It's the best part of watching the MLB stream; but the audio syncing is random: sometimes ahead, sometimes behind, sometimes perfect.
And we're underway on an overcast, 67-degree Monday evening in South Philly.
2-0, good guys early.
Hmmm. James is not such a bad choice for lead-off man after all.
MORE I WANT MORE
Love opposite field hits