Middle of Nats order connecting in critical RISP moments

Through 76 games, the Nationals have four players on track to reach 100 RBIs this season: Ryan Zimmerman (59), Bryce Harper (56), Daniel Murphy (54) and Anthony Rendon (47).

The Nationals also have an opportunity to have five players be close to a .400 on-base percentage: Harper (.423), Rendon (.395), Murphy (.392), Adam Lind (.390) and Zimmerman (.384).

Manager Dusty Baker was asked what's more important in a season: .400 OBP or 100 RBIs?

"Which is more important chicken or the egg?" Baker returned a query. ".400 on-base percentage ... I'll bet a lot of those guys are back-to-back-to-back in the order. So therefore, if you don't get on base, you don't have nobody to drive in. Both are important to me."

Baker said getting on base is crucial, but how do these guys connect with men on second or third?

"Not only on-base percentage, but I would like to see what you hit with runners in scoring position - I think which is more important. Because when you drive in runs, a lot of it has to do with chances.

"What if you drive in 100 runs but you had 500 chances? Then another guy drives in 80 and he has 250 chances. So which one is more important to your team? Somebody is leaving a bunch of guys out there. What I'd like to see is not only your batting average with runners in scoring position, but that's only part of it."

Baker emphasized another key component in comparing RBI totals and on-base percentage for an entire season. He said he respects a player's batting average with runners in scoring position.

"Some guys hit a ball to second base and drive a run in or a sacrifice fly - those are as important as batting average, getting runs across the plate," Baker said. "RBIs are something we don't (give) enough importance. We put a whole bunch of importance in on-base percentage, but what good is on-base percentage can't nobody drive him in? Right? That's some simple stuff. Maybe it's too simple for people to understand."

The middle of the Nationals order is very good so far this season with runners in scoring position. Here are the batting averages, home runs and RBIs for the four Nats players mentioned above:

* Harper: .333 average with RISP, four homers, 34 RBIs
* Zimmerman: .329, six homers 40 RBIs
* Murphy: .406(!), three homers, 39 RBIs
* Rendon: .358, six homers, 37 RBIs

Might be surprising to see Murphy's average with runners in scoring position is .406. Maybe not, Murphy hits in pretty much every situation. With two outs and no one on base, Murphy is hitting .314.

Also, look at the home run and RBI numbers for Rendon in those clutch situations: six homers and 37 RBIs in 70 games.

78.7 percent of Rendon's RBIs came with runners in scoring position. For Harper, it's 60.7 percent, Zimmerman 67.8 percent and Murphy 72.2 percent.

All good statistical examples of why the heart of this lineup is so good.