tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post953141519658056258..comments2024-03-28T10:50:33.234-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: The first 16.5 innings and the last 1Harperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-33583078891359275052017-10-13T07:00:23.867-07:002017-10-13T07:00:23.867-07:00There is SHOCKING news in the sports betting indus...There is SHOCKING news in the sports betting industry.<br /><br />It's been said that every bettor needs to look at this,<br /><br />Watch this now or stop betting on sports...<br /><br /><b><a href="http://sports.syntaxlinks.com/r/SportsCashSystem" rel="nofollow">Sports Cash System</a></b> - Sports Betting ROBOTBloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287821785570247118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-72641759821774233712017-10-10T07:57:16.166-07:002017-10-10T07:57:16.166-07:00It's almost like a we're going to prove ev...It's almost like a we're going to prove everyone wrong and keep doing things the way we do them vibe. Yesterday, Verlander and Sale pitched in relief. Is Stras going to pitch today?? Nope. He's never done that before and we're not starting now. Verlander hadn't pitched in relief since college. Sale finished the playoffs 0-2 with an ERA of 8+. You can't predict what will happen, but you can put your best people out there and take your best shot. Is Solis pitching in game 3 going to be like Barrett pitching in game 4 against the Giants?? I also agree that the offense has been putrid as usual. We really miss Eaton. Werth is immobile in the outfield. The sad part is that if they can find a way to win today they have a good chance with game 5 at home. Unfortunately, I don't think they win today. No need to wonder why other teams roll their eyes at the Nats. They're 6 outs from having gotten swept and scoring a total of 2 runs. They need to take advantage of the opportunity and win today.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-70810851918092300772017-10-10T06:18:19.938-07:002017-10-10T06:18:19.938-07:00I have no problem with Dusty taking Max out, but t...I have no problem with Dusty taking Max out, but this is one of those situations where "traditional" managers fail to realize they need to use their best pitcher in the most important spot. Yes, you want Doolittle to close down the 9th if we're ahead, because he's really the only reliever on the roster who has proven the ability to close. BUT.. you can't put Solis in there.<br /><br />Anyone have any ideas what's wrong with Murph? He's turned into Espinosa. I understand a small sample, but Murphy is too good to go through this bad a stretch. Something has to be wrong with him.<br /><br />Please pitch around Rizzo with first base open. Challenging him is just stupid. He wants to hit the ball, so force him to take the walk or chase. Maddox/Wieters/Dusty failed on this one "big time".Jon Quimbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06939096664895272304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-14215606897986813012017-10-10T05:50:17.907-07:002017-10-10T05:50:17.907-07:00What in the heck has become of Daniel Murphy? Doe...What in the heck has become of Daniel Murphy? Does Dusty have to sit him for 50 games in the regular season in order to keep him fresh?<br /><br />In three games, the Nats have <b>one</b> multi-hit inning (not counting walks and errors). The Cubs' pitching is not <i>that</i> good.<br /><br />All that said, Tanner is going to find his runback fastball tonight, after eating some home cooking. Trea is going to get on base today -- it was against Arrieta that he had those 4 steals. We are coming back to DC for game 5.<br /><br />(I have to think these thoughts to get through the day.)JE34noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-89610021625959874892017-10-09T22:19:48.153-07:002017-10-09T22:19:48.153-07:00No he didn't...had a lot of help from his &quo...No he didn't...had a lot of help from his "guys".G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11500574577302838292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-579569011965300762017-10-09T21:49:32.708-07:002017-10-09T21:49:32.708-07:00A waste...indeed!A waste...indeed!G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11500574577302838292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-85104585209850300572017-10-09T21:39:33.117-07:002017-10-09T21:39:33.117-07:00Dumb Dusty. If he spent less time chewing on whate...Dumb Dusty. If he spent less time chewing on whatever he can find in the dugout he might understand how to utilize his bullpen. It was a one-run game. At least Doolittle should be well-rested when Roark goes 4 innings tomorrow!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-7105888904689552452017-10-09T21:36:31.567-07:002017-10-09T21:36:31.567-07:00YesYesG.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11500574577302838292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-8759454361837186022017-10-09T21:26:45.210-07:002017-10-09T21:26:45.210-07:00Pitiful offense by the Nats.Pitiful offense by the Nats.G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11500574577302838292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-66792732170976300432017-10-09T18:49:41.899-07:002017-10-09T18:49:41.899-07:00So much for the 24-hour rule on rants. But maybe t...So much for the 24-hour rule on rants. But maybe this will help Harper with some talking points for tomorrow's post? A few things:<br /><br />1) Kendrick will not get another AB this series. Dusty doesn't think it's a smart idea. Live and die with his plan. With no contract extension signed. "Bold move Cotton, let's see if it pays off..."<br /><br />2) Regarding Max. Hell of game, man. Hope you and Strasburg are going out for a beer tonight and bringing none of the position players with you. About that bottom of the 7th inning... As a manager, you play every hypothetical situation in your head for the upcoming inning so that when the unexpected happens, you're prepared to make or not make a move. Dusty and Maddux knew the type of situation it would take to pull Max in the bottom of the 7th before we even stood to stretch and hear the Murray bros. sing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." If all it would take is a runner on 2nd, 1 out or less, with the lead intact to pull Max, why let him hit in the top of the 7th? Clearly his leash was shorter than we thought, regardless of the no-no status. I'm sure Jordan Zimmermann can relate...<br /><br />3) Jayson Werth's defense is a liability. The only guy on the bench who may not run down that ball is Lind. ANYONE ELSE COULD HAVE. I'm so tired of this old man in our lineup. I've been saying this since mid-August! I could care less that he got a hit tonight.<br /><br />4) Oh hey! It's Werth again! He or Taylor needs to lay out for that bloop single by Rizzo. No excuse with two outs. And first base was open. Walk him. I think I'd rather have Kintzler face Contreras in that situation than Perez facing Rizzo, especially since he is the only offense the Cubs have had this series.<br /><br />5) The hitting. My God. The only run we scratch across is because Schwarber kicks a ball around in the outfield. Something happens to this team in the playoffs. And I swear if I hear Thom Loverro say that "it's not the hitting" one more time, I'm going to flip. Fun Fact: did you know that the Cubs have only outscored us 8 to 7 so far? Pretty close! So I guess its not our hitting that's a problem, huh Thom?<br /><br />6) We have such a strong bench and the way these games have gone, here is what they've done: Kendrick (0-1; BB), Lind (1-1). That's it. Our bench is hitting .500 with the little that they've played. Scored one of the 7 runs and contributed one of the twelve hits.<br /><br />I don't have faith in this group. It must be frustrating for Rizzo. Talent-wise, he's put together incredible teams the past 5 years. Players play. I don't like these guys when the chips are down. I don't know who it is. I don't think blame can be put on one or a couple guys. Its the collective shriveled-up raisins for balls that is our beloved Nats. One man can't win a game by himself. Ask Scherzer. Ask Stras. The Cubs, Giants, Cardinals, Dodgers, all the teams that will beat us in the postseason play to win. We play not to lose. If we score first, it's hyperventilating until the fat lady sings. If the other team scores first, well, I've never seen a group of hitters so inept at answering back these past 5 years. Stick a fork in 'em. Looking forward to your piece tomorrow, Harp. <br /><br />Ole PBNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-63513308934515579742017-10-09T18:29:45.070-07:002017-10-09T18:29:45.070-07:00@Potomac, you're right, Romero is worse. I th...@Potomac, you're right, Romero is worse. I think we know now why he has all these lefties in the pen though: he wants to play matchup the whole way, as soon as the starter comes out. <br /><br />I wish you were right. But if Kendrick didn't get the start vs. Quintana, why would he get it vs. Arrieta?<br /><br /> Mr. Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567685906834294396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-63769604019164751252017-10-09T18:10:42.228-07:002017-10-09T18:10:42.228-07:00Solis is not the worst pitcher. He's second w...Solis is not the worst pitcher. He's second worst. Romero is the worst. Regardless, a terrible decision.<br /><br />I'll bet that Difo and Kendrick start the next game. I wouldn't be surprise if Lobaton also starts. The Nats have now gone three games in a row with 2 hits against the starting pitcher. Got to shake things up.PotomacFanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17479027458024348671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-91603511672007770612017-10-09T18:03:27.766-07:002017-10-09T18:03:27.766-07:00Anthony Rizzo is hitting, not that Dusty has notic...Anthony Rizzo is hitting, not that Dusty has noticed...Robotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-4092517670711561942017-10-09T17:34:36.625-07:002017-10-09T17:34:36.625-07:00I can understand wanting to take Max out at that m...I can understand wanting to take Max out at that moment. He's getting close to the end, he's been wild, there's no margin for error. But bringing in Solis there is replacing the best pitcher on your roster--who just gave up his first hit in the seventh inning--with the worst. <br /><br />It was nice to see Dusty was prepared to pinch hit for Weiters there in the 9th. Unfortunately, he still doesn't seem to understand that Jayson Werth is also terrible. <br /><br />Sure, nobody's hitting. But the Cubs aren't hitting either, and they've won 2 games.Mr. Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567685906834294396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-74892802798568140842017-10-09T17:20:14.462-07:002017-10-09T17:20:14.462-07:00If I'm Scherzer I'm thinking I just gave y...If I'm Scherzer I'm thinking I just gave you 6 1/3 innings of NO HIT ball and I give up a bit to LF that anyone not named Werth gets a glove on, and you take me out? If a run is going to score from that then let ME be the guy to give it up. THEN take me out Skip. <br /><br />Shades of Matt Williams in 2014 after Jordan Zimmermann pitched 8 2/3 innings and gives up a walk. Froggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425616684415704428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-40816939060510664562017-10-09T16:36:19.977-07:002017-10-09T16:36:19.977-07:00Yeah, that Werth guy is a bum. Like, a literal bum...Yeah, that Werth guy is a bum. Like, a literal bum. No way he gets a hit in this series unless someone offers him their partially eaten sandwich for doing so. And this Tray Terner kid? Send him back to tee ball! Kid won't hit. He's only on the team because his name sounds vaguely like "Lerner" and Dusty and Rizzo didn't want to take any chances on offending the boss man. Send him home!Robotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-33149066610678213362017-10-09T16:31:18.852-07:002017-10-09T16:31:18.852-07:00Serious question: how many runs does Anthony Rizzo...Serious question: how many runs does Anthony Rizzo need to drive in with two outs and first base open before they stop pitching to him?Robotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-73810730976349426632017-10-09T16:15:27.874-07:002017-10-09T16:15:27.874-07:00Dusty blew this game by himself. Dusty blew this game by himself. Froggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425616684415704428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-42355726915248906932017-10-09T12:46:22.335-07:002017-10-09T12:46:22.335-07:00You know because everyone is hammering Werth he w...You know because everyone is hammering Werth he will probably crush it today. <br /><br />Channeling Robot for the double reverse jinx...Come in Robot... Froggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425616684415704428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-16190861172179415392017-10-09T11:10:20.857-07:002017-10-09T11:10:20.857-07:00Ole PBN - I'm guessing another low scoring gam...Ole PBN - I'm guessing another low scoring game - good pitchers, afternoon start. Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-85987427187233820322017-10-09T10:30:34.439-07:002017-10-09T10:30:34.439-07:00Blind faith at this point regarding Dusty's re...Blind faith at this point regarding Dusty's reasoning on sticking with Werth. Again, if we had no one better on the team, I'd reluctantly be fine with this. But we have 3! THREE! Players that are better, riding the bench instead of Werth.<br /><br />I still worry that our offense will be in for a rough day. Doesn't matter that we are tied up 1-1. Doesn't matter that we have momentum on our side. Doesn't matter that it's Quintana's first start. Doesn't matter that we have Scherzer going. If you can't score you, you don't win (see Game 1). We tallied 6 runs on 3 swings the other night. One being a mistake pitch to Harper (an AB in which he looked just as lost as the previous 8), and Zimm's/Rendon's being helped by a bizarre gust of wind straight from the Baseball Gods themselves.<br /><br />I know, sometimes luck is all you need to turn the tide, and trust me I think we'll all take what we can get. But if our offense is in a rut (which it is), why is our 6 hitter penciled-in with a guy who's been shooting blanks since June? If we admit we'll take all the luck we can get, at some point I'd like to stop relying on luck/blind faith/stupidity/utter random acts brilliance and just go with someone who can actually play the game and get a dang hit. Please!<br /><br />FYI - my pleas will go unanswered. Just the way it is. What a waste of a post lol.Ole PBNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-28243397921358784862017-10-09T09:59:12.160-07:002017-10-09T09:59:12.160-07:00I'd like to see Trea try to lay down a bunt at...I'd like to see Trea try to lay down a bunt at least once this series. I agree with you, Harper. Getting Turner on base is paramount.PhthePhillieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06345592363018885789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-72545657673447980032017-10-09T09:39:51.808-07:002017-10-09T09:39:51.808-07:00Werth is starting in LF and batting 6th. No chang...Werth is starting in LF and batting 6th. No changes to the line-up.PotomacFanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17479027458024348671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-37765560907946255122017-10-09T09:35:57.491-07:002017-10-09T09:35:57.491-07:00From Boswell's chat regarding Werth playing to...From Boswell's chat regarding Werth playing today:<br /><br />--<br />"Dusty should play Kendricks in LF today versus Quintana. He's 5-for-10 off him with three walks. When you reach base 8-of-13 times vs somebody, that's no longer a small sample to me.<br /><br />Werth is making some solid outs. But there's not way I'd ignore the stats today. But Dusty loves "his guys" __the proven vets who've been Oct stars. If Werth DOES play you can be sure he'll known it's a big vote of confidence from his manager who's exposing himself to criticism"<br />---<br /><br />So Boswell firmly advocates that the Nats should start Kendrick in LF. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />But then, in a later comment in response to the question "Howie Kendrick over Werth?", Boswell writes:<br />--<br />"You're right, as I already noted. But it is hard to bench Werth against ANY LHer __hitting them seems to be what he was put on earth for"<br />--<br /><br />Boswell is recommending playing Werth against any left handed pitcher, which would obviously include today's left handed opposing pitcher, Quintana.<br /><br /><br /><br />So Boswell is both for and against starting Werth at left field. <br /><br />Thanks Boz for the advice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-71471432255256550092017-10-09T09:06:02.301-07:002017-10-09T09:06:02.301-07:00I just heard in the last 15-20 minutes Santangelo ...I just heard in the last 15-20 minutes Santangelo openly admit on the radio (in a polite, roundabout way) that Werth isn't the Nationals' best option to be using in LF........ and he then went on to say that they shouldn't replace him unless it's a true must-win elimination game.<br /><br />The "logic" behind this thinking is so asinine to me. I can't wait until we don't have to kiss Werth's big hairy monkey ass any longer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com