Modest goals? For sure. But we're looking at the Nats to make their move with a Marlins sweep while the Reds battle the Bucs and that simply means keeping the Nats in it. 2 wins in 3 games should do that. Win 1 here and have a starter go deep so you are not killing your bullpen for the must-win finale tomorrow.
While I say only win 1, a sweep is certainly not out of the question. There's a feeling in baseball that most DHs end in splits, but that's not true. While "you win one, I win one" might be the singular most likely outcome, history tells us that the combination of "you win two" or "I win two" happens more often. Just barely but it does. (we can go over the math if you like) In fact this year 15 of 23 doubleheaders have ended in sweeps. So there's that.
The Reds won again last night but all that means is the Nats job didn't get easier. What's in their control remains the same. Right now I see the upcoming week as this : Win 2 of 3 vs the Braves, Sweep the Marlins, see where you lie. Ideally it would be 2-3 games out. We'll see.
Gotta love that there ends up being a doubleheader today (although the circumstances were tragic). It makes everything that much more epic. You know I'm gonna be listening from work... thank god for buying that subscription to MLB for the year...
ReplyDeleteAnother way to word it would be "Don't lose both. Have a starting pitcher go deep."
ReplyDeleteTwo wins would shift some pressure back on to Cincinnati.
3 games back at the end of the week would in no way be tragic. Leaves everything likely in our control going into the final week, though we would probably need to win out. I would take it, as opposed to a 4+ GB scenario where we need a double miracle.
ReplyDeleteUnless we are leading the Reds or even with them, nothing is "in our control"
ReplyDelete11-2 gets Nats to 90, 10-3 gets them to 89. Reds need to go 5-6 to get to 90, 4-7 to get to 89.
ReplyDeleteLove to see them pull within 2 by next Monday. 3 there is still a little bit of hope. 4 and it's watching the score, note the game. 5 I just give up and become appreciative that I still had hope in mid to late September (because I did not think that would happen).
Also, my boy Werth (terrible contract I know), has gone bonkers ever sense I commented on here and said he was a great asset to the team. It's been a fun 25 games or whatever it's been...
Ok, 2/3 wins today and tomorrow, we are going to Phoenix to see the final three games. Gotta believe.
ReplyDeleteNatty's with a come from behind win! Those have been few and far between this season. So yea, get on that Harper, how many games have we won while trailing in the 9th? Cheers!
ReplyDeleteAnd I haven't booked my ticket to Phoenix yet. But that's only because I'm currently within driving distance. Road trip and regular season finale for the ages! Here we go...
Wow! Haren outpitches Minor (!), but then Clippard blows the lead, but the in the 9th, Kimbrel gives up a hit and two walks (!!), and best-defender-in-the-major-leagues Andrelton Simmons gives up the game-winning error (!!!).
ReplyDeleteI hereby predict that in the nightcap, a squirrel will steal the ball, resulting in a ground-rule double. Can't be less likely than what happened in the opener!
(In other weirdness, Justin Upton: 1.0 BWAR, Denard Span 2.4 BWAR. fWAR's closer, 3.4 to 2.8, but huh. Can't say anybody saw that coming after April.)
Awesome. Magical.
ReplyDeleteI sure didn't see that one coming as we headed into the bottom of the ninth with Kimbrel coming to the mound. Still, it's just one down with 12 more to go.
ReplyDeleteOne game at a time. One game at a time.
ReplyDeleteWell it is not often that you have more runs than hits, but hey, a win is a win. Let's hope for another this evening.
ReplyDeleteThe good luck 5th infielder pidgeon stealing signs on Sunday, Span with 27 game streak, Werth killing it, Ramos crushing it, and Bryce gunning down everything on the bases, followed by today's baseball God weirdness, and the magic is back!!
ReplyDeleteYep, like Nattydread and I (and a few other believers) have been saying for 20+ games...
...one game at a time boys!
I was following it on an ESPN gamecast and it said:
ReplyDelete"Wilson Ramos reaches on infield hit to 2nd."
I officially nominate THAT as the weirdest thing that happened today.
I love the Buffalo, but seriously...
The Reds aren't going down quietly, but winning the double header was certainly what the Nats needed to do. We may need to win out, and even that may not be enough.
ReplyDelete