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File photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER The Nats face the Braves tonight at Disney's Wide World of Sports. |
Yunesky Maya gets the start for the Nationals in this one. It's John Lannan's turn in the rotation, but he pitched this morning in a minor-league game (and apparently pitched quite well over six innings). This could be Maya's last shot at cracking the Opening Day rotation, though as we've pointed out throughout the spring, even a fantastic performance by Maya may not prevent him from opening the season at Syracuse.
The game is being televised by the Braves' crew and will be simulcast on MLB Network.
UPDATE: OK, guess I was wrong. The MLB Network website said the game was subject to blackout in local areas, but it's on right now at my house.
NATIONALS at BRAVES
Where: Disney's Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista
Gametime: 6:05 p.m.
TV: MLB Network
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 80 degrees, Wind 9 mph in from CF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS
SS Ian Desmond
CF Rick Ankiel
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
LF Michael Morse
2B Jerry Hairston
C Wilson Ramos
3B Brian Bixler
P Yunesky Maya
BRAVES
CF Nate McLouth
SS Alex Gonzalez
3B Chipper Jones
C Brian McCann
2B Dan Uggla
RF Jason Heyward
1B Freddie Freeman
LF Jordan Schafer
P Tim Hudson
29 comments:
Yeah, looks like ATL is breaking out the "A" team for this one. This will be a good test for Maya - Hope the defense plays well behind him.
I realize this is probably an unanswerable question, but why would MLB black out a Nats game in the DC area? Are they afraid we'd watch the game on TV instead of buying a ticket at the stadium?
At least through 6:01 pm it's on MLB Network on Verizon FIOS in Arlington. Fingers crossed it stays on.
It's on via Cox in Fairfax. Hope it stays that way...
Yeah, looks like I was wrong. The MLB Network website said the game was "subject to blackout in local areas." But I've got the broadcast on at my house right now, so it appears everyone is in luck.
Braves baserunning looks alot like last years nats.
The most fun double play I ever saw! Double run down!!!Met nstsJack too!
great work- derek lowe is starting opening day bud
I've had it. We got to get Zuckerman back to Viera. Let's start a fund that buys him out of his agreement with CSN, and get his butt on a plane to ORL. I don't need Caps coverage: I want more Nats coverage.
Well, given his option situation, Maya might have just punched his own ticket back to Syracuse to start the 2011 season.
Hang in there, joemktg. I fly back down to Florida Sunday night and will be with the team through the end of camp.
Rodriguez showed less while striking out 2 of 3 batters than I thought was humanly possible. Between him and Coffey I am beginning to see two wasted bullpen slots.
Mark,
I second that emotion with joemtg, look forward to your return to Viera.
Have a question, if you get a tan down there, will they let you replace your photo?
Mark:
I am just so happy that you have employment but it really has been different with you not actually being right there. Can't wait until you are back down getting us even more coverage.
Question, once the season starts, is there any chance Comcast will pull you off for other assignments or will you be with the Nationals for the entire season?
Thanks again for all you do.
@ sjm 308:
Good question, and the silence is deafening. Or maybe he passed out in his green jammies? Glug, glug, glug.
Kidding. ;~)
The second time thru the order for Maya turned into hammer time for the Braves.
Theophilus.....why was Rodriguez so bad?
Big Cat... Actually, Rodriguez threw a perfect inning. 18 pitches, 6 to each hitter, 3 and 2 count on each hitter and got all three of them on the 6th pitch. I don't think I've ever seen that before.
He did touch 98 on the gun twice but was mostly 93-94.
And, JayneB.... I'm only MetsJack when attending Mets games not involving the Nats.
JayneB.... it was too early when I wrote my last entry. I see now that you said you "met" natsjack.
I do have a MetsJack Mets shirt that I wear when supporting my friend.
The conditions for chatting will be much better in Viera today so I look forward to seeing you then.
Why would the "classy" braves wear those cheap strap back hats?
320R2S15..... Think Disney.... these were one time things for St. Patricks Day. No special run of sized hats. Selling for $30.00 a pop at the game.
NatsJack.....I know you don't scout the minor league complex, but any word on how Tyler Moore is doing?
He actually got in the Braves game last nite which means he's showing them something in the minor league camp. I spoke to Taylor Jordan's Dad who said Taylor struck Moore out in a intra squad game and made him look pretty bad. I'll slide over there Sunday morning and see what I can see.
He's destined for Harrisburg now due to Marrero's good showing.
NatsJack...i enjoy reading your posts. What are your impressions of Maya? I'm having a tough time getting a read on him. Does he have quality stuff and just needs to get in work to iron things out or does his stuff just grade out as average? I'm reading conflicting reports about his potential as a starter, which is a shame given the money the Nats spent to sign him.
Overall, Maya has looked excellent this spring. Yesterday, his location on his fastball was up in the zone the whole nite and he paid dearly for it. It wouldn't have been so bad but the walk prior the second home run really hurt. Solo home runs I can live with.
Previous games, Maya had touched 92-93 but last nite he was back to his 88-90 stuff and only hit 92 once that I recall.
He's destined for the rotation in Syracuse and, if he fares well, will be in DC sometime this summer.
Big C --
Rodriguez didn't throw a single pitch in those Ks that was in the strike zone, and most -- such as the fastball that nearly crowned Uggla and hit his bat for strike two -- weren't close. By every right, both of those hitters should have walked. No detectable movement on the fastball, either. Sort of a Jorge Julio w/out any sense of the strike zone.
That's what he did wrong.
Anon921 --
Don't gripe about the $1.5 MM Maya will get this year. Gripe about the $1.35 MM promised to Coffey, who should be winging his way to Japan. Or compare it to the $2.1 MM paid to Gorzelany, who hasn't shown jack this Spring either.
When the Nats started Spring Training they had a holdover bullpen of Storen, Burnett, Clippard, Slaten, Ballester and Stamen that at the end of 2010 was among the league's best and probably needed only a replacement for Bautista. As a result of Rizzo's offseason shopping bulemia their Opening Day bullpen will have two candidates for Arsonist of the Year and no room for young arms who could actually help the team.
Theophilus....Rodriguez actually had 2 of his pitches in the strike zone and I believe they were by accident because he nor anyone else in the ball park had a clue where his pitches would end up. (My earlier post was in jest.)
I agree on Coffey but you need to hold off on Gorzelany for about 4 weeks.
sjm 308 said...
Mark:
I am just so happy that you have employment but it really has been different with you not actually being right there. Can't wait until you are back down getting us even more coverage.
Question, once the season starts, is there any chance Comcast will pull you off for other assignments or will you be with the Nationals for the entire season?
Thanks again for all you do.
I may be assisting with some Caps playoff coverage, but the Nats beat is my priority.
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