The Washington Nationals knew when they inked Matt Adams to a one-year deal worth $4 million, they were getting a bargain. They were looking for an upgrade from the popular Adam Lind and at a cheaper price as Lind was due a $5 million option. While Adams had a modest start to the season in March and April to coincide with the Nationals’ early struggles, Adams is paying dividends for Washington in May.
The Nationals have surged winning 8 of their last 9 games. As the attention will go to Bryce Harper batting lead-off, it’s been Adams resurgence batting in the heart of the lineup that has carried Washington to a hot stretch. On Monday, Adams hammered two home runs, collecting five RBIs in the process. With his two home run performance, Adams joined elite company in franchise history becoming the third player to hit seven homers in seven games.
According to @EliasSports, Matt Adams joined Bryce Harper (2x: 5/5-5/12/2015 and 5/6-5/13/2015) & Ryan Zimmerman (9/7/-9/13/2013) as the only players in Nationals history (2005-pres.) to hit 7 HR in a 7-game stretch. Adams is the only player in MLB to do it in 2018.
— Kyle Brostowitz (@KyleBrostowitz) May 8, 2018
Harper and Ryan Zimmerman are arguably the two greatest everyday players in the club’s history. For Adams in his first year with a Nationals uniform to join those two speaks volumes of how much a steal he has become.
In May, he is hitting .400/.516/1.240 with 13 RBIs to go along with his seven home runs.
And to think he was playing for division rival, Atlanta Braves a season ago. Their lost has been the Nationals’ gain.
For the season, Adams has 10 home runs — third in the NL behind Harper (12) and Charlie Blackmon (11).
Matt Adams again. That's No. 10. The #Nats struck gold signing Adams and Howie Kendrick this winter after all of the team's injuries.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 8, 2018
Adams has been most powerful hitting third and fourth in the lineup, hitting nine of his 10 home runs from those spots. Initially brought in to be an insurance policy to injuries and giving the Nationals a huge bat off the bench, Adams may be making it tough for first-year manager Dave Martinez to sit him when the Nationals become fully healthy and get back Daniel Murphy and Adam Eaton.
He can play in the outfield as well as first base, giving the Nationals so flexibility with their offensive and defensive lineups. Entering Tuesday’s actions, the Nationals are just 1.5 games behind Adams former team the Braves for first place in the NL East.
