tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post4202286683626180480..comments2024-03-28T10:50:33.234-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: The Nats with the Curl in their hairHarperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-46661888960078866242010-04-27T13:12:33.148-07:002010-04-27T13:12:33.148-07:00Great post. The bull pen --- or the pair of bulls...Great post. The bull pen --- or the pair of bulls in the pen --- is the difference.<br /><br />So how do defense and improved management and game prep feature in this? <br /><br />After Desmond's initial week of stage fright, he seems to have settled down, and the defense seems much better locked in --- even when Zimmy can't play. <br /><br />At the same time, Riggleman's tinkering with line-ups and his use of subs has on the whole worked well. As an example, based on previous match-ups, he put Willie in against Ubaldo and got two hits (even tho we lost the game). Lots of smart decisions here?<br /><br />In short, I don't think Acta would be getting what Riggleman is getting out of the team.Nattydreadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03893360732342616110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-60481500968331776412010-04-27T12:22:40.222-07:002010-04-27T12:22:40.222-07:00Basil - I'm not sure about those numbers eithe...Basil - I'm not sure about those numbers either. Looking at this year the Nats have 7 such starts (7IP or more) but I haven't seen one that was real iffy yet. Let's remove the 3 Livan starts, and Stammens 8 inning gem (only 94 pitches!) and look at what the rest had going out of the 6th. <br /><br />Lannan : did not bat in 6th, at 88 pitches, tied 2-2<br /><br />Stammen : did bat in 6th, at 83 pitches, ties 2-2<br /> <br />Olsen : did not bat in 6th, 88 pitches, up 1-0<br /><br />the good news (if you like Rigs stretching pitchers) is that all these games were close. It's not like he just let a guy keep pitching for the hell of it. The bad news is I can't really see a reason why anyone would have pulled these guys after 6. MAYBE Stammen for a PH, but he was only at 83 pitches and had given up 2 through 6. In other words... I think it's more the starts than the manager - but we'd have to check Actas stuff to be sureHarperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-49144867089384319432010-04-27T11:25:36.010-07:002010-04-27T11:25:36.010-07:00Really good post, and this --
I know that may see...Really good post, and this --<br /><br />I know that may seem simplistic and sure it's in part by design (Clippard and Capps will only pitch in the games the Nats can win<br /><br />-- isn't just a simplistic insight. Being able to stretch Clippard and to a degree Capps has really enabled the Riggler to keep close games in the hands of the so-far competent ... as opposed to the rote 7/8/9 formula that Manny loved and that gave Needham many Saul Rivera-induced nightmares. <br /><br />He's otherwise managed the bullpen in finding a staff soaker (Batista), a lost cause artist (Walker -- every apperance has been in a loss!), and ... well, the rest is kind of touch and go. But in general he has a formula that is good to go, for as long as it can go.<br /><br />The other thing -- and this is purely anecdotal observation -- is that Riggleman will get 7 innings out of a good start when Manny would be satisfied with only six. I don't know if the numbers back this up, but the proof in the pudding of that will be in the concentration of 80-99 starts. Manny was the king of those, with little variance either way.Basilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10346481140960787459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-38865680038358052622010-04-27T11:07:47.381-07:002010-04-27T11:07:47.381-07:00hoo 2 - you're right. Really it all hinges on...hoo 2 - you're right. Really it all hinges on Desmond (I think RF is a lost cause - Harris/Maxwell or Bernandina) If he can pick it up the offense will be in that 2nd tier of NL offenses - good enough if matched with good pitching. If not, then it'll be like last year - right around average where the Nats would need superior pitching to make a run.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-32785608320848675472010-04-27T11:05:02.366-07:002010-04-27T11:05:02.366-07:00Hoo - Acta really didn't stand a chance last y...Hoo - Acta really didn't stand a chance last year. It may have been of his own making (unable to ID or unwilling to use his good pitchers) but I think he just didn't have any to start the season. Give Riggs last years bullpen and the Nats are 8-12 at best. I don't think the current strategy will keep them over .500 (these guys are going to blow a game at some point) but it will keep them closer then not doing it. <br /><br />The offense will get better but not all that much. Zimmerman is a big help but there is still a lack of power here. <br /><br />Bryan - hmm what do you do about the hitting? It'll be interesting to see what the Nats do because it could get real bad. Trade Willingham and Dunn and make no moves to replace them - you're looking at one of the worst offenses in the league. There is NOTHING in the minors and as much as everyone loves Bryce Harper he's still killing SCENIC WEST pitching right now. That's a big step down from a regular conference, let alone the minors. <br /><br />I think the best bet would be trade Dunn and try to work out a real cheap deal with a Berkman or Konerko or Lee for a year or two as a stop gap, but we'll see. If Marquis never comes back you'll hear the "don't sign anyone" morons come out of the woodwork.Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-12699195435666730722010-04-27T10:44:07.202-07:002010-04-27T10:44:07.202-07:00I think the Nats are league average at most hittin...I think the Nats are league average at most hitting spots. 1/8th (3b) is the best in the league. Another, RF, is probably among the worst. But the rest range from maybe slightly below to slightly above average. <br /><br />Dez and Maxwell are both below average, but that's ok given their development process.<br /><br />If they improve (or if Nats get a new RF), the Nats will have the hitting that can make a playoff run. It's not the Phillies but I think it's a >.500 hitting lineup (assuming that Willy T. never takes another at bat. I'm shocked, shocked that his scorching spring hasn't carried over. Instead, we're looking at sub .200 OBP with no pop and a bunch of at bats already. That has to be the worst in the majors at such a premium hitting spot). This is a black mark on Rizzo given how thin the Nats bench already is. Wouldn't it be nice to have a team that doesn't have to regularly pinch hit for his right fielder? <br /><br />Anyway, the upgrade to hitting should be looking at improvement of Desmond/Maxwell and if you're really hopeful, Mench/Morse return for the OF and a possible Jesus Flores for Nieves.<br /><br />But as Harper said, hitting is adequate. Starting pitching is troublesome. And um, I'm not exactly loving Lannan's start so far.Hoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-19398658132013483172010-04-27T08:57:01.475-07:002010-04-27T08:57:01.475-07:00Great analysis and nice writing.
What your analys...Great analysis and nice writing.<br /><br />What your analysis really shows is this team's need's, as they stand right now, are minor upgrades to starting pitching (coming in the minors), more quality relievers (possibly coming in the minors) and an upgrade to hitting (crickets).<br /><br />Yes, they have flaws, and yes, they have a winning formula that is built on thin foundation.<br /><br />But that is still a long way from the last 2 or 3 years, when they didn't have a formula outside of "hope the other team is having a significantly bad day.Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-27548613740068003962010-04-27T08:19:02.414-07:002010-04-27T08:19:02.414-07:00Well written. I like what Riggs is doing to maxim...Well written. I like what Riggs is doing to maximize the BP's strength. And he obviously doesn't trust Burnette to repeat '09 although he's using him a bit more. Bruney has been not so good while Walker/Batista are what you expect. So the Nats have a thin winning formula, but again it's a lot better than previous years. When was the last time that Nats fans could think, if we just have a lead in the 7th, we'll be ok? The glory days or Rauch/Cordero? <br /><br /><br />On offense, I'm not too concerned. Yes, Pudge will fall to earth and so will Guzie. But Zim is the best hitting 3rd in the league, and he's been unavailable. His last two pinch-hits have been really well hit, a hard liner to second and a deep fly homer except the win caught it (And Walker lucked out that he didn't give up 2 dingers last night).<br /><br />Riggs has the right strategy. Use Clips/Caps in any winnable game and hopefully that will keep the team over .500 till June. Then Storen and Stras arrive and you get more tools.<br /><br />I really like what he's doing, other than I'd try to see if Jesse English can be a lefty specialist too. <br /><br />the other part of Riggs strategy is really hope that he gets a really solid 7IP performance through the rotation so Clippard only has to go 8th.Hoonoreply@blogger.com