This and that

by Phil Wood

A couple of observations from my sixth floor perch here at Nationals Park on this doubleheader Saturday:

I walk the concourse a few times each homestand, and it never ceases to amaze me the large number of fans out there at any given time. Today, in what, at the time was a 2-2 tie during Game One, I went out to visit a high school friend in section 236. It was a much longer walk than I expected due to the heavy foot traffic from here to there. The open concourse idea means you have no ramps to impede your view of the field, and it seems like some fans just like to keep moving for nine innings. I doubt they're all recovering bypass patients.

Moving Jayson Werth to the five hole in the batting order in Game Two likely won't produce instant dividends, but based upon the premise that he did his best work there while a Phillie, it's certainly worth a shot for more than the rest of this homestand. There's no quick fix to his predicament, and the constant barrage of questions about it won't accelerate the process. It's not the first time a free agent has struggled to produce for his new team, and it won't be the last. The upcoming All-Star break may be coming at a good time for everyone.

Speaking of the Midsummer Classic - or whatever alternative name you've given it - it's a pretty safe bet that Mike Rizzo will arrive in Arizona with Davey Johnson's want list, and make a few overtures to his executive brethren. I expect at least a handful of roster changes before month's end.

And finally, a note to all of my fellow Austin Peay alums in the mid-Atlantic: the Nationals wind up this homestand against the Colorado Rockies, who feature ex-Governor hurler Matt Reynolds in their bullpen. If you've never been to Nats Park, come on out and grab a seat in leftfield and distract the Rox' relievers with chants of "Lets Go Peay!"

That should liven things up.