tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post1846153522538205253..comments2024-03-28T10:50:33.234-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: NLDS Preview Part 2Harperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-74285190983424180772017-10-06T22:09:56.877-07:002017-10-06T22:09:56.877-07:00I don't really have anything to say, besides t...I don't really have anything to say, besides this. When the Nats reach the playoffs, I honestly believe that at this point they play with a sense of dread. Otherwise it's hard for me to understand how the team (except Strasburg) goes out there and puts up less of a fight than the San Diego Padres might. Like....Anthony Rendon has never dropped a ball or lost a transfer like that IN HIS BIG LEAGUE CAREER. Why does it happen when it matters most? I don't know. I can't answer. All I can tell you is I have followed this team religiously for like a decade. And I thought perhaps this was a year to break through. But after going to tonight's game, I am as certain of them losing this series as anything. Intellectually I get it. They can easily come back and win. But deep down, it's not happening. And I really don't think the team believes it's happening. BxJaycobbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841583667789907324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-74248873627724144632017-10-06T22:06:10.898-07:002017-10-06T22:06:10.898-07:00I was right about Romero over Blanton. Enny earned...I was right about Romero over Blanton. Enny earned it. Froggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425616684415704428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-89312752081652711572017-10-06T19:44:07.759-07:002017-10-06T19:44:07.759-07:00Well, that was fun. Good thing we're saving M...Well, that was fun. Good thing we're saving Max for game 3. Mr. Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567685906834294396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-87790337807682956692017-10-06T14:23:31.700-07:002017-10-06T14:23:31.700-07:00I also find it interesting that most of the playof...I also find it interesting that most of the playoff games so far haven't really been all that close. Of course I just saw the Yankees are leading Cleveland 2-0 in the first. I'm hoping come Monday the Nats are in good shape.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-23376289213464925192017-10-06T13:31:49.208-07:002017-10-06T13:31:49.208-07:00Alan Wiecking - I'm pretty sure Svrluga meant ...Alan Wiecking - I'm pretty sure Svrluga meant that Zim is secretly a bear. Ol' Barry spends a lot of time around the Nats, so I'd trust him on this one.Robotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-44822591087970732842017-10-06T12:59:29.451-07:002017-10-06T12:59:29.451-07:00Harper. How do you feel about Boz writing that col...Harper. How do you feel about Boz writing that column being like "you cannot ask for a better chance than this! The stars are all aligning!" I found it not just wrong but legitimately bizarre following his "what an AMAZING end to the regular season were having (in most boring final week ever). Like.....here's how we could ask for a better chance Boz. <br />1. Our best pitcher wouldn't be hurt.<br />2. Our best player wouldn't be hurt.<br />3. We wouldn't be playing the most red hot team in the league out of the gate followed by a 103 win team followed by the best team in baseball?BxJaycobbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841583667789907324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-10871867089741911132017-10-06T12:55:31.019-07:002017-10-06T12:55:31.019-07:00@Josh
I like your assessment, that's actually...@Josh<br /><br />I like your assessment, that's actually probably what's going on. I just need a good game from Stras tonight, otherwise pessimism for the series will take me overFriesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-3427281544685821732017-10-06T12:54:53.979-07:002017-10-06T12:54:53.979-07:00This is the closest toss up series going the Nats ...This is the closest toss up series going the Nats have played in the postseason IMO. <br />In 2012 I was sure we would beat the Cards<br />In 2014 I was so sure we would beat the Giants it was like a joke.<br />In 2016 I was sure the Dodgers would beat us. <br />Of course what this shows is that what you think going in rarely matters. BxJaycobbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841583667789907324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-2624099568594953562017-10-06T12:05:42.243-07:002017-10-06T12:05:42.243-07:00I think the lack of a long reliever might be evide...I think the lack of a long reliever might be evidence that Dusty and Stras are willing to let Stras go on short rest if needed. Tanner is available as long man in games 1-3, and if he pitches in any of those, Stras starts G4. If the Nats are down 1-2, Stras pitches G4. Tanner only starts if they're up 2-1 and all three other starters go at least 5+ innings.Josh Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00524273388243642450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-43780320947792736492017-10-06T11:56:44.970-07:002017-10-06T11:56:44.970-07:00Ya gotta believe! I agree 100% with Harper that th...Ya gotta believe! I agree 100% with Harper that the Nat's offense is the best in the majors when healthy. I think they're healthy enough. I'm a Z fan. Always been a Z fan through thick and thin and this will be his series to shine. Svrluga's article in today's Post is spot on (other than it's spelled "grisly" not "grizzly") with Ryan's history against the Cubs and that they will attack him as the automatic out. But Barry takes Z's word that he doesn't remember how he hits the Cubs? He doesn't remember watching Harper walked over and over in front of him last year? Bullhockey. I doubt there's a team that he, personally, wants to beat more than Joe's Cubs. As deep as the Nat's lineup is 1-8, the Cubs do not match up.<br />Pitching? It's not close. If you want to talk about Lester's experience in the post-season, you have to talk about Quintana's lack thereof. Let's look at the tale of the tape:<br />ERA? Nat's are #2, #3, and #5 in the NL; worst is 2.96. Cubs best? Arieta @ 3.53<br />WHIP? #1, 3, & 7; worst is Gio at 1.18 (really? Wow.) Again, Arieta the best at 1.22 for the Cubs<br />BB/9? Quintana's the best (as a Cub) at 2.25, but it's pretty much even<br />OPS against? 1, 2, 4 Nats (Strasburg is the league best at not allowing HR's? Wow.) with the worst at .642 Best Cub? Arieta again but it's a gap to his .716<br /><br />C'mon man. We're not playing this in 2012, 2014, or 2016. That's the past. This team is the best team we have ever put on the field. Period.<br /><br />This is our year.<br /><br /><*> ChaosChaos56https://www.blogger.com/profile/04572431548134665466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-49734032341450995692017-10-06T11:56:13.117-07:002017-10-06T11:56:13.117-07:00cass- yeah sorry about that. cass- yeah sorry about that. Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-80093778831687981972017-10-06T11:29:28.987-07:002017-10-06T11:29:28.987-07:00If you look at his his splits, Romero should be th...If you look at his his splits, Romero should be there to face RHB, and only RHB. He's got pretty extreme reverse splits.KWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-47234044051988554732017-10-06T11:16:36.902-07:002017-10-06T11:16:36.902-07:00Oh, PR = pitch running, not public relations. Okay...Oh, PR = pitch running, not public relations. Okay. I get it now.cassnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-89206246251647881422017-10-06T11:08:42.863-07:002017-10-06T11:08:42.863-07:00I don't like Romero either. I would have adde...I don't like Romero either. I would have added AJ Cole. What if Max cannot pitch or has to leave early. Robles will be exciting as a pinch runner, so long as he remembers to stay on the base after sliding. Will he be a defensive replacement for Werth in late innings? Probably not.<br /><br />And here's another thought for the pessimists: It's going to be warm and humid tonight. You know what that means. Strasburg will have leg cramps.<br /><br />But here's something positive: on paper, the Cubs pitchers look terrific. We remember 3 of them from the height of their careers last year. But Arrieta and Lester are both hurt, and they are definitely hittable. Cubs are going to need as much long relief help as the Nats will need.PotomacFanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17479027458024348671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-76369011834445080072017-10-06T11:03:43.589-07:002017-10-06T11:03:43.589-07:00I don't understand what you mean about Robles ...I don't understand what you mean about Robles being on the roster for PR purposes?cassnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-22116647949186737492017-10-06T10:09:01.006-07:002017-10-06T10:09:01.006-07:00Jay - no. but on the flipside Romero isn't par...Jay - no. but on the flipside Romero isn't particularly good against lefties either. He's there for a "need a K - walk ok" situation. Problem is - he's also hittable. Usually those types you carry are not Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-18032545584313081112017-10-06T09:54:51.415-07:002017-10-06T09:54:51.415-07:00I forgot to add. I don't like Romero in the p...I forgot to add. I don't like Romero in the pen. He has a tendency to walk people, which is really problematic in October. Are the Cubs that much worse against lefties?? I almost feel like they think they're playing the Dodgers carrying so many lefty relievers...Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-9722258884605470892017-10-06T09:52:22.274-07:002017-10-06T09:52:22.274-07:00I think it goes one way or the other. I have a fe...I think it goes one way or the other. I have a feeling that either the Nats get rolling in game 1 behind Stras throwing really well and then may be get lucky with Gio and then you have to love Max in game 3 for the sweep. Or Stras throws ok. There are a few dumb mistakes and such. The offense doesn't hit. We get to listen to how great Hendricks is all night. Nats lose game 1. Gio falls apart and doesn't make it 5 innings in game 2 and it is too little too late after that. The Nats keep wondering when is it our turn and the Cubs roll. I don't see a game 5 at all either way. <br /><br />You know what I'm hoping for. We'll see. Hope the crowd is loud for the Nats - though Mark Z put something on twitter that there seemed to be a lot of Cubs fans around town.<br /><br />Also, I think Max throws in game 3 no matter what. I think he is a maniac and there is no way he doesn't throw. Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-55694102651425166642017-10-06T09:35:56.067-07:002017-10-06T09:35:56.067-07:00Nats in three or four. They've got better sta...Nats in three or four. They've got better starting pitching and a stronger, deeper lineup. Closer is about equal, maybe slight edge to Davis, but he's no Jansen. Cubbie bullpen is vulnerable getting to Davis, though. The Nats have killed Carl Edwards in particular.<br /><br />I expect to see the Stras we've always hoped he would be tonight. Nats win big in the opener, pick up some swagger that they've missed in other playoff years, and don't look back.KWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-13684341623105522722017-10-06T09:29:04.935-07:002017-10-06T09:29:04.935-07:00I'm dying guys...I'm not gonna make it...I...I'm dying guys...I'm not gonna make it...I can't focus on anything. I'm literally going through the game logs of the cubs relieversBjd1207https://www.blogger.com/profile/08595153543505790679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-66014582185225144532017-10-06T07:45:40.624-07:002017-10-06T07:45:40.624-07:00Bryce and Max are the two best players participati...Bryce and Max are the two best players participating in this series (Bryant, Rendon, and, to a lesser extent, Strasburg, are competing for third) and they both have injury issues. It's impossible for that not to matter. If it turns out they're both healthy, that matters in the opposite direction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-14995290922146995092017-10-06T07:45:37.310-07:002017-10-06T07:45:37.310-07:00Any confidence I had going into this series was ba...Any confidence I had going into this series was based in knowing we had a healthy Max. It seems like we don't. To echo what Fries said, Stras is the only guy with some steady success. And even then he could pitch a gem and we lose G1 2-0 - as we've seen our bats go cold in the playoffs. This could even be a sweep... I cannot suppress my DC Fan pessimism :/Ole PBNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-33417973824850547572017-10-06T07:42:17.381-07:002017-10-06T07:42:17.381-07:00To me, it all comes down to Max. When will he pitc...To me, it all comes down to Max. When will he pitch? How long will he go?<br /><br />Last I heard, he's slated for Game 3. Given the team's history of unreliable, overly optimistic injury-reporting, I'm worried "Ready by NLDS G3" actually means Max is unconscious in a ditch somewhere with his pitching arm lopped off.Robotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-38479775741351314632017-10-06T07:29:38.118-07:002017-10-06T07:29:38.118-07:00I am feeling incredible anxiety about this series....I am feeling incredible anxiety about this series. I really don't need a championship to feel good about the 2012-whenever window, but I need a DS win at least. So of course Max and Bryce are both question marks when the team is better than it's ever been. Why wouldn't they be?Josh Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00524273388243642450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-52029552444329310372017-10-06T07:11:55.113-07:002017-10-06T07:11:55.113-07:00I agree with you Harper. Right now, I say Cubs in ...I agree with you Harper. Right now, I say Cubs in 4.<br /><br />I think Stras is lights out tonight and the Nats go up 1-0.<br />From there, Gio's been really erratic lately, so I think the Cubs win the next one.<br />Then it's Max with the hammy thing. I see a solid performance that only lasts 4 innings, then out comes the long relief. 2-1 Cubs.<br />Then it's Roark because there's no way the Nats pitch Stras on short rest. 3-1 Cubs.<br /><br />Now that's all completely based on the fact that every pitcher but Stras has been iffy lately, and the offense has slowed quite a bit. Maybe with these 4 days the team resets a bit and comes out swinging, but no way to know. Maybe Roark channels that Illinois pride and is lights out in Game 4. Maybe Lester, Arrieta and Quintana all walk a ton of people and the Nats are able to drive up their pitch counts and get to the relief. Who knows. All I know is that I really don't like the Nats chances in this series given how the Cubs played the 2nd half. Honestly I think the Cubs are the NL favorite for the WS. But I hope I'm wrongFriesnoreply@blogger.com