But here, let's quickly talk about yesterday.
Is the Nats offense back or is it a function of facing a team with terrible pitching who play in a bandbox, lyric or not? Doesn't matter. Even if it is the latter if you're a good team you should score a bunch versus a team like that. Plus sometimes a team like that is exactly what you need to get back on track. Normally I wouldn't consider a series versus the Phillies telling since they don't have a killer pitching staff either, but the Nats will catch both Hamels and April Aaron Harang who sports like a 2.50 ERA in the month over the past two years. We'll see if the bats continue to be hot.
Is Rafael Martin that good? Of course not. But he's not Xavier Cedeno, a journeyman with no major league track record of success, so it's better that he's here and we see what he can do.
Like I said yesterday 2-6 isn't good but let's see where the Nats are 16 games in. If they are around 4-12 then go ahead worry. If they are closer to 8-8 just go with it. The Mets play the Marlins for four starting tonight. The Mets have a small lead on the Marlins, if they can expand it with 3 wins or a sweep then the Nats have a clear idea of who their challenger will be, at least for the first couple months. (The Braves no one really liked, they started 5-0 and already are 6-3 and Fredi Gonzalez is their manager.)
Ok a sweep at Fenway might have been too tall an order. How about a series win at home vs the Phillies? That's gotta be doable.
13 comments:
Doable? I would say yes. We already beat Hamels, and it's not like they can hit anyway.
Beating Wade Miley for a few innings is not impressive but if it instills confidence in Ramos, Werth, Harper, Zimm, and Desi than great.
Our pitching staff should be able limit the very poor Phil's offense to a winnable total.
The Phils sport two ok pitchers and a third we should be able to beat. But given their absolute putrid offense and our pitching, we should at least split the two good pitchers we face.
This is exactly what this pitching staff was intended to do. Go out and beat a bad team into submission at a time when the O needs you to carry them a bit.
Its early, but if this team, even missing the pieces its missing, can't beat the Phils 2/3, its worrisome.
Now go do it.
Winning 2/3 against the Phillies won't guarantee them a series win ... because it's a four game set :)
Starting pitching is good. Offense slow out of the blocks but yesterday was encouraging. Great to have Werth out there finally. Pen is working itself out. The optimist in me says we would be 4-5 or 5-4 now if it weren't for some really stinky defense and errors. Looks like Desmond took my advice and just focused on 'see ball, hit ball' with good results. I think we win 3 of 4 from Philly.
Pitching could be key for the Nats, the Philthies will see the Nats, #3 tonight, followed by their #1, #2 and #5(Yes, I think Strasburg is their #5 starter at this point, but it has nothing to do with mental toughness). If Fister can duel with Hamels and they win tonight, could be a sweep. If not, I think it'll depend on how hard Strasburg gets hit, but I'd still expect the Nats to take at least 2 games. Harang is the type of pitcher who gives the free-swinging Nats fits.
In other news, Tyler Moore ran into some 4A pitching. I wish T-Mo nothing, but success. Seems like a great guy, but this is bad. That game yesterday probably bought him another 30 PA's with the Nats in which he will play below average defense and hit .200. Yay! On the bright side, it'll help you in arguments when you claim MW doesn't know what he's doing because it'll mean even more LOLineups.
Finally, there is no reason that Danny Espinosa shouldn't be the everyday second basemen at this point. None. Small sample sure, but Uggla isn't even putting good AB's together and is so full of clank in the field it's a disaster waiting to happen and one the Nats can't afford with April Ian Desmond playing SS.
We are going to be ok. Really didn't expect Taylor to be so suspect in the field though...
They sure treated Hamels roughly tonight
Bats starting to come around. 13 runs in first 6 games... 21 in next three. Over/Under for Phils series?
Only team with more errors is the Yankees? Harper must be frustrated.
*yawn* I guess it's fun to fret and fume every game or two, but this team is not built to win fewer than 90 games. Even all the injuries are providing some benefits, giving guys like Taylor a chance to shine some in the Bigs and guys like Clint Robinson a chance to show they can be useful pieces for the rest of the season.
Clint Robinson looks like a professional hitter to me. If Martin's performance continues, I'd say this crappy start was worth it just to find a few more complimentary pieces like these guys. It's nice to see some older, yet talented guys like that getting a real chance on a team that shouldn't stink.
@blovy - 100% agree. His swing looks great, like really really good, especially for a lefty
@blovy8 I really like Martin. Great story too. Still, time to make a move Rizzo. With Rizzo down, the Nats need to trade for some bullpen help. I think David Huzzard had suggested trading for Papelbon on Twitter, which I think would be great if the Phils eat half his salary. Yes, he's a giant douche, but outside of Kimbrel and Chapman, he's perhaps the best relief pitcher in baseball.
Also, this stupid robot things sucks.
Jw
Outside of Kimbrel, Chapman, and Kansas City. Even though it is intriguing, but you're right they would have to eat most of his salary.
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