It takes a lot to impress the folks at www.oddshark.com, which puts out MLB power rankings.
But the red-hot Washington Nationals are certainly trying.
The Nationals moved up 10 spots — most of any MLB club — to No. 9 in the power rankings at oddshsark.com after winning three straight games in Cincinnati on baseball’s opening weekend.
Washington entered play Monday as one of only three 3-0 teams and one of only four teams that have not lost a game.
Left fielder Adam Eaton, who had five hits Saturday, had two hits with a homer Sunday and is hitting .615 early on after missing most of last season with an ACL injury. His performance against the Reds came not far from his hometown of Springfield, Ohio, and in front of family and friends.
“Eaton helped us out a lot last year and then he got hurt,” Bryce Harper told reporters after Sunday’s 6-5 win. “It’s good to have him back.”
Right fielder Harper hit two homers Sunday and is batting .400.
“Today you saw Bryce Harper being Bryce Harper,” said rookie manager Dave Martinez, who is 3-0.
The Nationals hit eight homers in the first three games and got wins from their top three starting pitchers: Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez.
The top nine teams in the power rankings were the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Nationals begin a three-game series Monday night at Atlanta against the Braves with right-hander Tanner Roark on the mound.
Several outlets reported Monday that catcher Pedro Severino, who did not make the Opening Day roster, was headed to Atlanta as starting catcher Matt Wieters deals with an undisclosed injury.
Severino had been sent to Triple-A Syracuse, which is slated to begin the season Friday at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Pennsylvania against the top farm team of the New York Yankees. Miguel Montero, the new backup catcher, was back of the plate Sunday for the Nationals.
Severino hit .172 in 17 games with Washington last season and .242 in 59 games with Syracuse.
Washington’s home opener is Thursday against the New York Mets at 1:05 p.m.
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