Mike Rizzo talks Brad Lord's start, Dylan Crews rebounding amid Nats winning streak with the Junkies

The Nationals scheduled to start the season has been "no joke," but the young team has found its footing against a pair of tough National League teams grabbing four-straight wins over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said during his weekly appearance on Wednesday with 106.7 The Fan's The Sports Junkies, which is presented exclusively by our partners at MainStreet Bank — Cheer Local. Bank Local. Put Our Team in Your Office. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

"They're playing good baseball," Rizzo said, adding they have "kept their head above water" after opening the season with two tough series against Philadelphia and Toronto.

"I think we're getting the feel for each other and getting our role system together in the bullpen, kinda getting some consistency offensively," he continued. "The one constant has been our starting pitching has been solid, and our defense has been solid. I think that if that continues throughout the year, I think you'll see an improvement in the pitching staff in the relief corps and the rotation."

In Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Dodgers, right-hander Brad Lord got the call to make his first big league start in his debut season with the club as the reliever was stretched out to three innings as an opener. He allowed two hits and two walks but kept the defending champs off the board, adding four strikeouts, including two of MVP Shohei Ohtani.

"Brad did a heckuva job for us," Rizzo said, calling the 25-year-old "one of our bright prospects" and noting he was the club's minor league pitcher of the year last season. "He had such a great spring training we just couldn't send him to the minor leagues and not make the team. He pitched so well for us, a big piece for us.

"He's taken to the bullpen role, but we still see his future as a rotation starter."

Dylan Crews finding stroke

After starting the season 1-for-25 (.040) in his first seven games, the Nationals top draft pick from two years back has rebounded his last three games with four hits in 11 at-bats and a pair of steals for good measure. The GM said not much has changed, just the rhythm of hitting.

"I saw him getting his timing down in Toronto where he had hit four or five balls [with] exit velocity over 100 mph but they were caught," Rizzo said. "I think you see his swing flattening out a little bit, he's worked hard with [hitting coach] Darnell [Coles] and [asst. hitting coach] Chris Johnson.

"I always say they call them averages for a reason you start slow, you end fast and that's kinda what it's all about. It ebbs and flows, especially offensively. I think it all comes out in the end what kinda player you are."

Rizzo complimented the young outfielder for not letting the struggles at the plate impact his defense and for always playing hard.

CJ Abrams injury update

After the shortstop was held out of the past two games with a quad issue, Rizzo said he believes Abrams is "fine" and rushing him out there with that type of injury on a cold Tuesday night would have been "kinda foolish."

"We have a day off [Thursday], we play in Miami indoors in the warm weather [on the weekend]," he said. "If he's healthy, he'll be in there for sure, if he's not 100 percent, but if he's not 100 percent, no sense in playing him on another cool spring day."

Alex Call proving his worth

"He's a great player, period," the GM said. "He's a solid guy, he plays the game the right way. He really knows all the facets of the game, he's a good baserunner, he steals you a base. He plays good defense in all three outfield positions. He's a good contact bat with sneaky power and he runs well. He's a perfect compliment for a roster.

"He's one of these bench guys who plays a lot and can contribute a lot off the bench and even when he starts for a chunk of time in a row."

Though his first six games and 23 plate appearances the former waiver claim has eight hits with two doubles, four RBI and four walks wit ha 1.077 OPS.

"We're pleased with where he's at," Rizzo continued, "and another guy that's gonna contribute quietly, but is a big part of what we're doing."