All the way with Livo

by Phil Wood

Let's see now, Livan Hernandez now has two complete games this season, which gives the Nationals a total of, drum roll, please - two complete games.

That's right, Livo stands alone in that category for the Nats, and I'm guessing that few of you - wait a minute, none of you, zip, zero, nada - predicted he'd lead the rotation in wins at this point. Personally, I thought he'd help out in the early going, but might not be with the club past the All-Star Break. I was way off.

Now, let's be honest: there was nothing in his performance over the past couple of seasons to lead anyone to believe he'd be anywhere near this effective. A mid-80's fastball. A mid-60's curveball. Yet, it works, and it works because he knows how to pitch.

It really is that simple, and the results scream it.

Let me guess as to how many of you took Livan in your fantasy drafts.

More than one, less than six. He might've been one of those ten-centers at the end of the day when the rice crispy squares have gotten gooey from sitting out too long. Otherwise, he was left on the board, right?

Hernandez has become the oops-forgot-about-him whenever fans sit around and try to handicap the 2011 rotation. Have him follow Strasburg - or have him him follow Zimmermann after a lefty follows Stephen; whatever, it can sure screw up a team's offensive timing, can't it?

In 20 years you'll be telling your grandkids about Livan Hernandez. He may never be in the Hall of Fame, but he's certainly unforgettable.