That's all. It's actually a decently tough goal, winning 3 of the next 6 against two good teams, but much like the 19-31 situation, it's the hole the Nats dug themselves, this time by going 1-3 against the Braves. The Nats are looking for at least one series win, and a sweep would do the job itself. Not that that keeps the Nats out of the woods for the rest of the month but it puts the bar where I thought it would be going into the last half of September, a place where I think the Nats should be able to hold off any challengers and keep a WC spot.
Who are the Twins? HR bombers that's who! They have a crushing offense. First in the AL by R/G just a smidge over the Yankees and a full run over the AL average. Everyone of their main starters have at least 20 homers except Buxton. This includes Mitch Garver and Miguel Sano who have played 82 and 91 games respectively. Two already have 35+ (Cruz and Kepler) and Garver, Rosario, and Sano are all good bets to join them in the next couple of weeks. If there is a saving grace - they don't walk, but the batting average is good enough that these aren't just solo homers. They never steal (26 TOTAL SBs)
Theser some slight good news in that Buxton, Cruz, Marwin, Kepler, and Sano are all nursing injuries. But at this point they aren't quite far enough ahead of the Indians to just rest guys. Right now it looks like only Cruz will be in the line-up tonight and the longer these guys sit the better. Root for whoever is playing against the Indians.
The Twins are still terrible at developing starting pitching, but they did finally get one good one in Berrios and they've filled the rest with a bunch of ok guys that can let in fewer runs then they'll score. The Nats unfortunately do catch 1-2-3 Berrios, but he hasn't been that great recently. The other two are Perez and Gibson who are ok. Still they miss the fill-ins on the back end. The bullpen is good. It's deep in solid arms, and better with Romo. The closer is good. They can be gotten to but they basically hold the fort for the Twins bats to do what they need to. Overall neither aspect is very good, but both are good and not having a weakness here allows the bats to win games.
It's going to be a fun series. Sanchez has a little bugaboo giving up homers, but not much. Stras and Corbin are pretty good. What will win out?
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3 comments:
Am I the only one who loves when the Nats get to play in an AL ballpark?
You're not the only one, Chris; we'd better see Kendrick all three days even if he's the DH for them all. Starting pitching matchups are definitely 2-1 in favor of the Nats, but they're at home, their bullpen is better, and their offense can drop a ten-spot on anyone so let's hope ours brings their A game as well.
I know I should be pulling for the Braves to beat the Phillies, but I just can't help the urge to catch Atlanta somehow some way. 2019 has been all about hoping the Braves lose, and it's too late for me to change now. I NEED HELP!!!!!
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