tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post5278411574402666165..comments2024-03-28T10:50:33.234-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: Wins wins wins wins winwinsinasdfhklaHarperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-39211398714587104902016-05-04T08:16:50.146-07:002016-05-04T08:16:50.146-07:00BRYCE is the most overrated, no hustle, strike out...BRYCE is the most overrated, no hustle, strike out hole in the lineup, ever.<br /><br />(hopefully that jinx works!)Mythrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12640334476376047192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-1655443913497876432016-05-04T07:24:58.904-07:002016-05-04T07:24:58.904-07:00Time to worry about Bryce yet? 1-23 and counting.....Time to worry about Bryce yet? 1-23 and counting... Fouling off lots of fastballs and missing and the breaking balls/change-ups. The one hit he did have was a bloop single that should have been caught if the LF wasn't playing on the warning track. Just saying, you heard it here first...Old Man Rivernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-85087735366184414292016-05-04T06:43:24.088-07:002016-05-04T06:43:24.088-07:00Lol @Sammy Kent you gotta stop calling for Rizzo&#...Lol @Sammy Kent you gotta stop calling for Rizzo's head at every little thing that goes wrong. The Papelbon move definitely wasn't his best moment, but we've already talked about plenty of his moves that HAVE worked out, and he's nowhere near losing his jobBjd1207https://www.blogger.com/profile/08595153543505790679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-44939095266037743692016-05-04T06:00:32.759-07:002016-05-04T06:00:32.759-07:00Not sure how Pap gets all the saves he does. He ju...Not sure how Pap gets all the saves he does. He just has mediocre big league stuff. Wish the Nats had better options than him.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07359859089545299921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-28133475119304799552016-05-04T06:00:08.296-07:002016-05-04T06:00:08.296-07:00The Nats could have traded for Kimbrel with San Di...The Nats could have traded for Kimbrel with San Diego. They wanted Turner or Ross plus other players. There are a bunch of closers that are free agents next year - Kenley Jensen (sp?), Chapman, Papelbon (I doubt we'll keep him though). A couple others I can't think of off the top of my head. Rizzo probably figured it wasn't worth making a major trade when they can sign somebody if needed next offseason. <br /><br />Last night hurts, but if they bounce back today and win then they are still in great shape. Harvey and the Mets lost to the Braves last night. It happens. The Nats weren't going to win 120 games. I don't think the Mets offense is going to keep going at its current pace. We'll see. I'm still hoping they win today and take 1 or 2 from the Cubs. If they do that, it's a 7-3 road trip. Pretty nice. Remember the entire month of May is pretty rough. Hang in there.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-3415723480344439482016-05-04T05:59:55.602-07:002016-05-04T05:59:55.602-07:00The Bum is no better than . . . Clippard.
What...<i>The Bum is no better than . . . Clippard.</i><br /><br />What's with the Clippard hate? He did great while he was here and is generally well-liked.Robotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-55105138747273522152016-05-04T05:58:11.526-07:002016-05-04T05:58:11.526-07:00Well, that sucked.Well, that sucked.Robotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-52375819055413308462016-05-04T05:54:06.823-07:002016-05-04T05:54:06.823-07:00Tanner Roark should choke the living crap out of P...Tanner Roark should choke the living crap out of Papelbum. Drew Storen couldn't have blown a save any better. The Bum is no better than Soriano or Clippard. If a closer consistently gives up baserunners it will bite him in the ass sooner or later and not just once. This is the deal that should have sealed Rizzo's fate. Everybody said the Braves would never let Craig Kimbrell go, but they did. Sammy Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286255593094532554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-57055826853319750942016-05-03T21:15:26.887-07:002016-05-03T21:15:26.887-07:00Papelbon has been pretty great so far this season....Papelbon has been pretty great so far this season. How many blown saves until you start to worry?Hurstynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-51678957871817336452016-05-03T14:23:53.083-07:002016-05-03T14:23:53.083-07:00Its nice to see 4 wins in a row and Harper with on...Its nice to see 4 wins in a row and Harper with only 1 hit in those 4 games. Nice to have Ramos back!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-80252771169582868442016-05-03T12:40:29.421-07:002016-05-03T12:40:29.421-07:00Well, Ole PBN, as Harper once said about Span, Dre...Well, Ole PBN, as Harper once said about Span, Drew "can't hit". So using him as anything but a necessary rest for an infielder seems silly to me, regardless of any past numbers, he does not appear to be capable of much anymore. Using him as a DH is egregious when there are TWO more viable LH hitters on your bench languishing away who have some small potential left. If Drew's history was the impetus, why not rest Espinosa? After all, it's Rendon who talks to Gio...but it's a win, so who cares? The only real benefit from this would be Dusty receiving another example that Drew is no longer a real hitter and relegating him to the piney graveyard, but we all know that won't happen if he's 4 for 11 against anyone else.blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-74538818371380386332016-05-03T11:53:03.623-07:002016-05-03T11:53:03.623-07:00Whatever Dusty's faults may be in the playoffs...Whatever Dusty's faults may be in the playoffs and tactical decisions, I do get the sense that Dusty is always planning ahead, which is a sense I never got from Matt Williams. I also get the sense in his decision-making that Dusty is trying to manage the team to maximize its success over the course of a season, sometimes at the expense of making the most statistically logical decision at every moment in every game. <br /><br />Maybe I've been listening to FP too much, but I suspect that he is right that it matters to the bench players to know when they will start in advance and that it matters to the starters that they know in advance when they will have time off. Also, the flip side of potentially leaving his starters in too long, is that Dusty is trying to protect burning out his bullpen. Dusty also commented on what a problem it must have been for the Cardinals to get home late before their first game with the Nats.<br /><br />Dusty might not be a great choice to manage a team in the playoffs, but he may have an unusually good grasp of the factors that affect players over the course of a season.<br />BornInDCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-43802841061689346532016-05-03T11:51:03.545-07:002016-05-03T11:51:03.545-07:00pbn & Donald - Agree 100%. That at-bat failed ...pbn & Donald - Agree 100%. That at-bat failed because 1) no bunt attempt, when he tries to bunt for a hit for no reason earlier in the game, and 2) swinging at ball 4. I understand he wants to mash it. But situational hitting - the guy is struggling with his control and a walk loads the bases with no outs. Can't be swinging at a ball there.<br /><br />I didn't notice him slam his bat, but if he did and that lead to him not beating the throw, that's bad.<br /><br />I'm not against Dusty starting him most games. His defense and speed is better than Heisey/den Dekker, and he still has some potential. Now if a good time to see what he can do in the majors with consistent at-bats, especially with the team winning. What I don't like is him hitting leadoff. In the beginning, when Dusty gave his "I don't want to move other hitters around" argument, I didn't like it but I accepted it - it at least has some modicum of sense to it, contrary to MW's "he's a centerfielder" justification. But since then he's moved players around the lineup almost every day to accommodate bench players. So that argument becomes moot.mike knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-13505990842468749332016-05-03T11:34:30.482-07:002016-05-03T11:34:30.482-07:00Like this answer from Dusty right here makes my po...Like this answer from Dusty right here makes my point. I feel like you could waterboard PBN and he wouldn't let up this much information:<br /><br /><br />"The mental side, only he can talk about that. Like I said, I wasn't here, but we've tried to help him with that as much as we can. I see Anthony [Rendon] going over to calm him down when he gets in trouble and once you start something rolling you can build on it and build on it, then it make it easier the next time when you get in trouble knowing that you can get out of trouble. He certainly has had the stuff."<br /><br />"The mental side of the game is big," Baker added. "Most people just see the physical side of things, but it's the mental that controls the physical and if you can get into that state of mind then half the victory is already won there."Bjd1207https://www.blogger.com/profile/08595153543505790679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-1156632617518594472016-05-03T11:20:35.890-07:002016-05-03T11:20:35.890-07:00@Ole PBN -- what infuriated me the most with that ...@Ole PBN -- what infuriated me the most with that play was the pitch on the 3-1 count. MAT swung out of his shoes at a ball that was almost over his head. He walks and it's bases loaded with no outs. It completely changed the game, and it's very lucky the pitching came through to bail him out. As friendly as Baker seems with the players, I really hope he or someone pulled MAT aside and told him that can't happen again.Donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295227567170577873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-52241479948048738202016-05-03T11:03:28.083-07:002016-05-03T11:03:28.083-07:00@blovy8
I can't disagree with Drew as the DH ...@blovy8<br /><br />I can't disagree with Drew as the DH last night. Heading into the game, he had good numbers against Volquez, plus he's trying to get his bench regular at-bats. Easy to say the next day that it was a poor choice. The one thing I think everyone can agree on is Taylor hitting lead-off, much less playing at all. The one play that infuriates the hell out of me (the kind of play that has me yelling at the TV over baseball games in May) was Taylors GDP in the fifth. Lobaton singles to lead of the inning (rare), Espinosa singles up the middle. Why blow this opportunity? Well, Michael A. will tell you why... Runners at first and second, 0 outs. Taylor gets it to a full count without even squaring to bunt. Just strike out like you normally do and let a major league player handle it after you sit down? Nope. Double play. Rendon follows will a fly out to center that would have easily advanced both runners. And to top it all off, Taylor is frustrated and slams his bat into the dirt on his way to first - where he was thrown out by half a step. SIT DOWN. A lot of it isnt just failing - its how you fail.<br /><br />I hope everyone understands that he needs to be Willie Mays in the field, Ricky Henderson on the basepaths, and the nicest/best teammate in the history of the game for his lead-off/starting job to make sense right?Ole PBNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-5422813009314919992016-05-03T10:57:08.872-07:002016-05-03T10:57:08.872-07:00https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/gio-gonzalez...https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/gio-gonzalez-gets-just-enough-help-to-lead-nationals-against-royals/2016/05/02/ed79c700-108d-11e6-81b4-581a5c4c42df_story.html?postshare=3161462290004492&tid=ss_tw<br /><br />Whether you believe the manager matters or not, the players believe it. Even the pitchers, who would have the most reason to distrust him if you believe the conventional wisdom. That has to count for something.Booyah Suckah!https://www.blogger.com/profile/15889536631740406219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-82211575684663136272016-05-03T09:49:10.607-07:002016-05-03T09:49:10.607-07:00Dusty has had some magic going, but it will even o...Dusty has had some magic going, but it will even out at some point. Clint or Heisey should be batting as DH, slotted in the 6 or 7 spot in the lineup to extend the mashers starting with Bryce on down. Add in Ramos and the line extends even better.<br /><br />Dunno if Drew has family in KC, it was his birthday or some other Dusty-ism, but it didn't hurt us too badly.<br /><br />Also, I have hammered on Werth some of late, but the story of the girls and the at-bats in St Louis made me smile.<br /><br />Mythrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12640334476376047192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-16689905684247457612016-05-03T09:17:43.774-07:002016-05-03T09:17:43.774-07:00Our offense has been pretty unlucky with BABIP. La...Our offense has been pretty unlucky with BABIP. Last night they had a few opportunities to score more, but some poor situational hitting did them in. Part of the problem can be laid on Dusty for sticking with Michael A at leadoff and letting Drew be a DH. That kind of thing nets you 2 runs. Seemed to me like a good time to get den Dekker in the OF or Robinson at DH. Can't imagine his gut feels smart after 2 K's and weak groundout to 1st from his DH. I know it's crazy, but Joe Ross is the next best RH pinch hitter after Heisey as far as I'm concerned. blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-86432353710101064202016-05-03T09:13:24.050-07:002016-05-03T09:13:24.050-07:00Agree with bjd1207 completely. A manager is essent...Agree with bjd1207 completely. A manager is essentially a well-organised and informed communicator and motivator. He has to communicate with the players, coaches, media and fans. To succeed, he has to be intelligent, witty and amusing. Dusty is intelligent and entertaining on all levels. This ability to communicate and motivate absolutely (and unquantifiably) translates into better performance by the team. The ability to better explain strategy --- in an entertaining manner --- translates into more enjoyment of fans. Plus, the team is winning.<br /><br />On the team performance --- 18 wins is 18 wins. You can worry about the offensive lack of production or you can worry about the over productive pitching. One is going to get better and the other is going to come back to earth. However, the bullpen is a pleasant surprise and the defense is really looking good. Nattydreadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03893360732342616110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-66360189125526362912016-05-03T08:51:20.970-07:002016-05-03T08:51:20.970-07:00"They've been good. Sustainably THIS good..."They've been good. Sustainably THIS good? No (FIP and xFIP tell us Ross and Gio are among the "luckiest" starters and Roark isn't too far behind)."<br /><br />I don't dispute the point, but it's worth putting some meat on these bones.<br /><br />Gio has a 1.79 ERA...and a 2.79 FIP<br />Ross has a .79 ERA...and a 2.9 FIP<br />Roark has a 2.03 ERA...and a 2.91 FIP.<br /><br />So, although it's true that these three have been lucky with batted balls, they've still pitched quite well by FIP. In other words, we should expect some regression, but maybe not that much. <br /><br />xFIP definitely tells a different story - all of our non-Max starters have been lucky with dingers so far, and that is bound to change.<br /><br />TLDR: the rotation is not THIS good, but there's good reason to believe it's still pretty damn good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-62556751920179221942016-05-03T08:44:34.173-07:002016-05-03T08:44:34.173-07:00I like winning, but I still don't like the off...I like winning, but I still don't like the offense. The pitching is 99% of the Nats' game right now. But I give credit where it's due. These are October teams we're beating now. Starting a ten game road trip 4-0 is better than I would have dreamed. Dang, just split the rest of them and it's 7-3. If you'd told me before the season we'd have a shot at that on this roadie I'd have taken it in a second. Of course, we could also lose the next six and come back home on the skids. Tanner Roark vs Chris Young tonight.Sammy Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286255593094532554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-38681647155306436162016-05-03T08:43:44.235-07:002016-05-03T08:43:44.235-07:00On Dusty: My father grew up in the Bay area, and w...On Dusty: My father grew up in the Bay area, and we watched with intense anguish as Dusty contributed to the Giants blowing the 02 Series. I was highly upset by the hire, because I saw Dusty as just a friendly MW. The way that he's frequently left his starters in about 2 outs too long and insists that Michael A should hit leadoff suggests to me I wasn't necessarily wrong. However, from a purely spectatorial (which google says isn't a word, but I think it should be) perspective, I love watching him back away from the top step to laugh and joke with Bryce or coach struggling Michael A after a rough at bat. Our boy PBN just stood on the top step and glared. If nothing else, Dusty is fun to watch, and for that I'm happy with him. When he throws Rivero 3 games in a row against the same guys in the playoffs, I'll call for his head just like everyone else, but for now I'm thrilled to have him.Josh Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00524273388243642450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-70393206915659228352016-05-03T08:40:09.264-07:002016-05-03T08:40:09.264-07:00While we all thought 4-6 would be a successful tri...While we all thought 4-6 would be a successful trip, at this point, it would be a huge disappointment. Readjusting to anything less than 6-4 being a fail. Still think the odds are that the Mets will be in 1st when the Nats get back home. The Mets should crush the Braves and Padres.Donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295227567170577873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-73943457180445125522016-05-03T08:30:11.277-07:002016-05-03T08:30:11.277-07:00As G Cracka X said we have had a successful road t...As G Cracka X said we have had a successful road trip, And at worst we should go 5-5. When Bryce stops trying to do too much our offense will improve drastically. Our rotation isn't this good, but Stras might be and Max should improve. Anthony Rendonnoreply@blogger.com