tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post1133335583994349499..comments2024-03-28T10:50:33.234-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: An embarrasment of pitchesHarperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-19732458162324703392013-02-27T01:13:32.232-08:002013-02-27T01:13:32.232-08:00induce all headlines as sensational as possible yo...induce all headlines as sensational as possible your blogging projects each <br />day? Although inundating your lively blogging audience with rigorous web selling messages is usually counterproductive, for readers to react to <br />what they get a line and Learn on NPR and to link with one some other.<br /><br /><br />Here is my web-site: <a href="http://www.flickitup.com/WalkerMat" rel="nofollow">click here</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-36565413499598100382013-01-03T10:17:56.481-08:002013-01-03T10:17:56.481-08:00You won't which MP is hiring and for what unle...You won't which MP is hiring and for what unless you have access to this email yourself or know someone who can forward you any job openings. Operated successful nationwide Cellular Telephone Business, 2005 2006 For more information on interviewing skills,visit www.interviewbay.com Going ahead, list your education details, qualification, achievements, accomplishments, work experience if any, and your resume references. If you have outstanding skills from a past job, this is the information that you always want to list.Melaniehttp://smtp.mercuryseattle.com/groups/test/wiki/84460/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-55096305377948597352012-06-15T06:20:25.084-07:002012-06-15T06:20:25.084-07:00Chuck - Good luck to the Mets too - having a surpr...Chuck - Good luck to the Mets too - having a surprisingly good year so maybe they can sneak into the WC <br /><br />Anon - this is ERA+ not ERA. <br /><br />ERA+ adjusts mainly for the league average ERA with an adjustment for ballpark. So a guy with a ERA that matched the league average in a park that showed itself to be equally fair to pitchers and hitters would have an ERA+ of 100. <br /><br />A simple way of thinking about it is (League ERA / Pitcher ERA)*100 so if I had an ERA of 2.00 and the league ERA was 4.00 I'd have an ERA+ of 200 (4/2*100). That's not exactly what it is but it's most of it.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-5647925594528840362012-06-14T13:25:04.629-07:002012-06-14T13:25:04.629-07:00Can someone explain this ERA > 130 stat? I tho...Can someone explain this ERA > 130 stat? I thought ERA = Earned Run Average, that is 9 x (earned runs / innings pitched)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-12825271248493824402012-06-14T08:22:50.173-07:002012-06-14T08:22:50.173-07:00As a Mets fan since '62, I've been through...As a Mets fan since '62, I've been through it all, so I can empathize with the struggles Washington has gone through, especially without the occasional peaks the Mets have had, and especially for decades without any team to root for. And yes, I still remember the old Washington Senators. I am glad for the Nationals, that things are looking so well nowadays. I even applaud the decision to bring in Davey Johnson to manage this club. That was a good decision. I wish your team well, except for when they're playing the Mets! God bless!Chucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-48953399061753102942012-06-14T06:53:53.223-07:002012-06-14T06:53:53.223-07:00Anon - I mean "That doesn't mean the Dodg...Anon - I mean "That doesn't mean the Dodgers and Nats aren't better than everyone in the AL though."Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-90300331179273243852012-06-14T06:52:19.392-07:002012-06-14T06:52:19.392-07:00ND - I don't know. Not this year - this is onl...ND - I don't know. Not this year - this is only the 2nd 5 game winning streak the team has had and it didn't happen then. My guess is it's pretty rare in general.<br /><br />blovy8 - no but give the Nats 120 and I don't see the Nats missing the playoffs<br /><br />Hoo - not necessarily, more like plan for injuries by making everything else good. Don't settle for what the Nats have now - make it better because you don't know what's going to happen.<br /><br />Anon - I was trying to rhyme with "An embarrassment of riches". I'm not the most clever man.<br /><br />Donald - the age was a needed restriction though - I wanted to compare the Nats to staff to see historically how young good staffs turn out. Less prone to injury (supposedly), less prone to decline, less likely to be in last couple years of contract. They wouldn't compare well with a staff of a 31 33 and 34 years old (but you're right I'm sure we'd see dozens if I loosened that<br /><br />Anon - My prediction is pretty much screwed unless the Nats play their worst baseball of the year in the next 2 weeks. Oh well.<br /><br />As for the AL East, by any objective standard the AL East is either the best or 2nd best division in baseball. That doesn't mean the Dodgers and Nats might be better than everyone in the AL though. As for taking 2 of 3 from the Yanks - sure. They've actually done it both other years they've played them when the Yanks were clearly better and the Nats were losing to everyone. Anything can happen in 3 games<br /><br />Snake - Really the article ended up being about young staffs that were this good, which meant no 70's O's. As for the question - is this the best staff ever - that's just unanswerable right now. If the Nats kept this up they'll have arguably the best SEASON a staff might have had but they have to keep this up for another 60% of the season and that doesn't make them necessarily the best staff ever. They'd have to have repeated success. Don't worry I'm not putting them up with the 70s O's just yet.<br /><br />Ben - wouldn't worry about the showcasing - if they are killing it in AA or AAA the other teams will be biting. (and as I kind of get by your tone - if you do have all those 5 you aren't really worrying about anything)Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-58765945433201944362012-06-14T06:50:26.783-07:002012-06-14T06:50:26.783-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08482685520830332895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-20567018447275327402012-06-13T23:34:14.053-07:002012-06-13T23:34:14.053-07:00Before raging, you should read the criteria he was...Before raging, you should read the criteria he was setting.<br /><br />As for the resigning Edwin AND going after Hamels/Greinke pipe dream, that would bring up a pretty interesting "downside", how would you showcase any of your ready-for-the-bigs pitching prospects that you'd want to trade to upgrade the offense? That is, if you have 5 front of the rotation starters the value of your farm probably goes down a little bit, haha.<br /><br />Also, count me in the camp of no long term Edwin contract, smells like a classic baseball FA year to me. Though I guess if he was a playoff beast the Nats end up overpaying and everybody still feels good about it.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180254917029830907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-75520350464153109232012-06-13T22:14:53.875-07:002012-06-13T22:14:53.875-07:00You are insane. You ask, "Has there ever been...You are insane. You ask, "Has there ever been a staff this good?" and you barely even consider anything before the year 2000. How can you ask that question and not bring up the O's staffs of the early 70's? Look, Stras and Gio are great, and EJ, Zimmermann and Detwiler are all pretty good (and I hope wang gets in the act), and they may have four guys close to winning 20 games (which needs help from a potent offense, I admit), but to not even mention the O's staff of Palmer/Cuellar/Dobson/McNally that actually DID win 20 each is just plain silly. I mean, come on. And look, I am a Washingtonian and a big homer. But you can't ask that question and then not address THE most obvious example.Johnny Snakeheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-7448496991416649462012-06-13T14:14:35.084-07:002012-06-13T14:14:35.084-07:00Your Prediction through the end of inter-league pl...Your Prediction through the end of inter-league play: 16-17<br />My Prediction: 18-15 (I knew I shouldn't buy into the AL East as an intimidating force)<br /><br />Record so far: 15-8, 9 games left. They need to go 2-7 to get back near the pace you set, and 4-5 for mine.<br /><br />This is what happens when I let people tell me the AL East is actually good. I knew the Nats would steamroll these clowns. Wait til they take 2 of 3 (at least) from your precious Yankees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-38225736722505423862012-06-13T13:28:24.082-07:002012-06-13T13:28:24.082-07:00The one quibble is with the age dimension. It'...The one quibble is with the age dimension. It's great that they are having fabulous seasons AND they are young, but there are a bunch of examples of teams that had 3-4 great pitchers for a season or two.Donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295227567170577873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-45306276339285986822012-06-13T12:48:15.897-07:002012-06-13T12:48:15.897-07:00Wally, I wasn't picking on you. Lots of folks ...Wally, I wasn't picking on you. Lots of folks on NatsInsider also want to lock up E-Jax. Seems to me that most long term deals entered into in the middle of a season are a mistake. Thank goodness Rizzo didn't cave to Riggs for example.<br /><br />I think we're pretty much in agreement about the value of E-Jax. We should have the inside track to keep him, whereas there will be lots of suitors for Greinke and Hamels. If he has a good season for playoff bound team like us (knock on wood), I'll bet he'll get offers for more than 2 years (he got a three year offer from the Pirates last fall and turned it down). So we're going to have to come up with three or more years and big money. I think he's worth it, for no more than 4 years. And he might just want to stay -- he seems to be having a great time on this staff.Section 222https://www.blogger.com/profile/17106128453333996193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-39765537490703456982012-06-13T12:19:36.138-07:002012-06-13T12:19:36.138-07:00An embarassment of Pitches? or Pitchers?An embarassment of Pitches? or Pitchers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-44638186443106227182012-06-13T12:02:05.544-07:002012-06-13T12:02:05.544-07:00Sec 222 - on EJax, my comment wasn't based on ...Sec 222 - on EJax, my comment wasn't based on 1 fantastic month (not sure if you addressed that to me). He has been above average the last three years, with WARs of 3.6/3.8/3.8.<br /><br />I think that there is even a decent argument that his results this year are mostly in line with the last three years. ERA is better (as is BABiP which will likely cause both to regress), but everything else is mostly in line with the past.<br /><br />If the Nats decided to invest even more heavily in pitching, and could pick between 5/$125m for Greinke or 3/$45m for EJax (and that is more than I would offer EJax), I think EJax is the better deal. But as I think that we both said, it is mostly moot since I doubt he bites (and 3 years is all that I would offer him). But with hamels and Greinke out there this offseason, who knows? Maybe they get a good result in the MASN fees suit and they throw it out there.<br /><br />I do think that over the next three years, he is substantially better than any internal option like Lannan, Rosenbaum, Purke, Meyer, ... Beyond that no, but that is partly why I wouldn't go beyond 3 years.Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-79178027225832288962012-06-13T11:51:22.829-07:002012-06-13T11:51:22.829-07:00So the take-away is darn the future and plan to wi...So the take-away is darn the future and plan to win it all by 2014 b/c odds are someone is really hurt in the next few years? <br /><br />Could I possibly counter that in the 25 years since the '86 mets that surgery has come a long way and pitchers can have a better career?Hoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-7639811916016664332012-06-13T11:02:38.461-07:002012-06-13T11:02:38.461-07:00I think there are some vague parallels, that worst...I think there are some vague parallels, that worst to first team that lost to the Twins in 7 didn't have Maddux or a lot of later offensive players like Chipper and Andruw Jones, or Javy Lopez. The middle of their order was something like Pendleton, Justice, Gant, and Bream. They scored a good amount of runs but Fulton County was a great hitters' park. Glavine, Smoltz, Avery and Leibrandt carried that team with Pendleton having a really good year, but an undeserved MVP over Bonds. Talk about lucky - they got 141 starts from four guys. That's guaranteed not to happen for the Nats.blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-90829884941665413122012-06-13T11:01:24.885-07:002012-06-13T11:01:24.885-07:002014? That's way too far in the future. But ...2014? That's way too far in the future. But we will get used to winning and we will get obnoxious about it.<br /><br />Great article.<br /><br />4/5 of the Nats rotation got the win over the past 5 games. How often do all 5 in the rotation get consecutive wins? When was the last time it happened with the Nats?Nattydreadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-37404713228978135632012-06-13T11:01:22.609-07:002012-06-13T11:01:22.609-07:002014? That's way too far in the future. But ...2014? That's way too far in the future. But we will get used to winning and we will get obnoxious about it.<br /><br />Great article.<br /><br />4/5 of the Nats rotation got the win over the past 5 games. How often do all 5 in the rotation get consecutive wins? When was the last time it happened with the Nats?Nattydreadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-7144277733093178152012-06-13T09:53:13.460-07:002012-06-13T09:53:13.460-07:00Kenny B - positive comments come more from being a...Kenny B - positive comments come more from being a loser for so long. Trust me, Nats win division this year and in 2013, and are making a push in 2014 and other team fans will find reasons to hate Nats fans.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-23178631824510468402012-06-13T09:51:39.384-07:002012-06-13T09:51:39.384-07:00Froggy - Closet AL East allegiance? I am out and p...Froggy - Closet AL East allegiance? I am out and proud! Waving my rainbow Yankee flag in the AL East Pride parade! <br /><br />ERA+ adjusts mainly for the league average ERA with an adjustment for ballpark. So a guy with a ERA that matched the league average in a park that showed itself to be equally fair to pitchers and hitters would have an ERA+ of 100. It's not perfect because ERA can at times be flukey, but it works well enough. <br /><br />Personally I think around 120 is where you get into the very good seasons.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-37209027394701206712012-06-13T09:48:57.152-07:002012-06-13T09:48:57.152-07:00Let me echo the "fantastic post" sentime...Let me echo the "fantastic post" sentiments. The analogy of Nats:2010s::Braves:1990s is pretty exciting to think about.<br /><br />In any case the comparisons you make in this post are illustrative of why this team has caught so much attention lately, and why the outsize focus on Harper is somewhat misguided. Harper's an amazing addition and fun to watch, but as you've said repeatedly, the pitching is the story. It has continued to be consistently incredible, and barring injury, it seems sustainable. And as noted in comments above, two of the top three have already had TJ and come back as excellent pitchers, so by the law of averages we may be covered on major injuries.<br /><br />This team is so likable, it seems opposing fans almost enjoy it when we beat them. I've seen a lot of very positive comments from other teams' fans around the interwebz.Kenny B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01104648417209196641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-21725374730894258022012-06-13T09:41:39.104-07:002012-06-13T09:41:39.104-07:00Ryan / Wally - thanks
Dezo - The Nats rotation is...Ryan / Wally - thanks<br /><br />Dezo - The Nats rotation is what happens when no one disappoints. EJAX is on to his best year ever - so I guess Boras is smart and can see the future. <br /><br />Wally - No. Well really - not assuming they aren't becoming the Yanks/Sox. I don't think he's a flash in the pan but I do feel like this may end up being his best year, and one common thread you see looking at these pitchers is a lot of injuries around that 30 year old range. So if money has to be spent somewhere I'd prefer a either a hitter or Greinke (personal pref and more historically awesome). But all best are off if the Lerner's are fine adding a ton to the payroll. Sign him then.<br /><br />222 - I don't see a 3 year deal. Werth and Zimm are the only ones with deal that long right? 2 year - good money. <br /><br />Wired - If you think about it I looked at 700-800 team/years and found 5 examples. What the Nats have is special. Also something to think about - only one, the White Sox, would repeat this level of pitching the next season. (the A's would do it again in 2003, Maddux and Glavine would do it a bunch with Smoltz but not Avery) so again - special collection of guys having a special year. <br /><br />blovy - you know I didn't look at these guys before they got to this year. Perhaps some of them also overcame injury. I like Davey too but the Braves had much better offense, typically above average scoring runs.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-43531383864224932332012-06-13T09:14:08.719-07:002012-06-13T09:14:08.719-07:00Harper,
Just when I'm about to kick you to th...Harper,<br /><br />Just when I'm about to kick you to the curb because of your closet AL East allegiance, you come up with a really interesting post like this and lure me back in...dang!<br /><br />Help me out since I'm not a Watson/Deep Blue statistic guy, would you explain the ERA+ formula again?Froggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425616684415704428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-43881688633702518572012-06-13T09:00:36.865-07:002012-06-13T09:00:36.865-07:00Yeah, at the very least, it looks like an arbitrat...Yeah, at the very least, it looks like an arbitration offer to EJ to qualify for compensation if he turns it down will not be silly.<br /><br />Harper, two of the top guys have already had TJ surgery, you think that's lucky? So in order for the Gods to be appeased Gio must also be sacrificed?<br /><br />The 90s Braves comparison is looking really good, but I happen to like Davey as a manager a lot more than Cox, and they always seemed to have bullpen problems, which have not been the case here, so maybe the Nats are in even better shape.blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.com