Somehow the Nats turned a 4 game Mets sweep into a must win game against the Marlins on Sunday but hey, they wouldn't be the Nats if they didn't, right? The Nats offense has been pretty miserable but a combination of good pitching and bad opponents has kept them out of last. Could they still fall past the Marlins? Sure. But with a 5 game lead in the loss column it would take something crazy. For example if the Nats go a mediocre 3-7 in their last 10, the Marlins would have to go 7-2 to pass the Nats. Seriously, not this year.
Over / Under challenge Update:
Mike Morse : .300 average - OVER (.302)
Danny Espinosa : 20 homers - UNDER (19)
Pudge Rodrgiuez : 1 hit. - UNDER (still no at bats)
Ian Desmond : 4.0 K / BB ratio - UNDER (3.94)
Jayson Werth : 100 OPS+ - UNDER (97)
Nats Offense : .700 OPS. - UNDER (.691)
Strasburg : 18 innings pitched. - UNDER (14) but set up to pass
John Lannan : 9 wins. (over or match bet) - MATCH (still at 9)
Milone + Peacock + Detwiler : 5 wins - UNDER (4)
Tyler Clippard - 2.00 ERA - UNDER (1.84)
Drew Storen - 39 saves. - UNDER (38)
A good half of these are counting stats so don't be discouraged by the domination of the UNDERs.
3d to last is still a toss up, imo.
ReplyDeleteStoren at 38 saves after yesterday.
Don't see any way they take a step forward next year without 2 bats. Expecting a significant step up from 5 existing spots just seems unrealistic.
Storen - fixed! (tied with Hanrahan)
ReplyDelete5 steps up, with no steps back mind you (morse I'm looking at you). But what bat? What position? I think they cross fingers hope for a Ramos/Espinosa and Werth resurgance and wait for Bryce.
A bounceback from Werth is the most reasonable of those, followed by Ramos.
ReplyDeleteCF is most obvious. It doesn't even need to be a great one (although that would be nice), but trading for Byrd would help quite a bit, or even signing Crisp if he can stay healthy. Also, can't see them winning with both Desi and Espy at MI; one of those spots needs to add more to O. the problem, as I see it, with doing that this offseason is Rendon. I feel pretty sure they extend RZim, and 2B is the natural place to add Rendon, since I see Harper and Werth in the corners.
By the way, I hope that they don't rush Bryce up next year. He seems like a guy that is going straight to free agency, and I would play this one like Tampa does and make sure that the prospect is as ready as possible, in order to maximize his 6 years of control. 2013 is plenty soon enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI think Danny can maintain his pop all year long. He may not bat much more than .230 (or he may) but he should hit 25-30 homers next year.
ReplyDeleteMeh - seems like they'd be getting either of those guys on the downswing. I agree with the MI situation evaluation except for one thing: I want to see Rendon before I annoint him a major league starter.
As for Bryce... we'll see if he's ready he should come up. I've always maintained that. You can't worry about what's going to happen 6 years from now. Too many question marks.