Davey Martinez does not like strikeouts. “Striking out doesn’t do anybody any good,” he told reporters earlier this week, during the Nationals’ series with the Rockies in Coors Field. With the 4th lowest K% in the majors this season (21.2%), the club reflects the manager’s feelings, and he said one of the offense’s best traits, as a group, is their ability to make contact and avoid striking out.
“Absolutely,” Martinez said. “You see guys — like [Alcides] Escobar — who has been really good at moving the baseball, with two strikes as well, but even early in the counts.