Sunday, August 14, 2011

A welcome rainout for Nats

US Presswire photo
Danny Espinosa, like many of his teammates, was in need of today's rainout.
Updated at 12:45 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA -- Heavy rain forced the postponement of Sunday's series finale at Citizens Bank Park, the creation of a day-night doubleheader Sept. 20 and a nearly 72-hour window in which the Nationals won't play a ballgame.

Not that they were terribly upset by this development. It actually came at a fortuitous time for a Nationals club that includes several players in need of some extra rest.

First, though, the pertinent rainout details:

-- The game will be made up at 1:05 p.m. on Sept. 20, in advance of the previously scheduled 7:05 p.m. series opener between the two teams.

-- There was some talk about playing the makeup game Monday (a common off-day for both clubs) but the Nationals were strongly opposed to that possibility because it would have resulted in 34 consecutive days in which they had no scheduled off-days (they reported to the park both before Thursday's rainout in Chicago and before Sunday's rainout here).

-- Manager Davey Johnson said he will push everyone in his rotation back, which means Chien-Ming Wang will now start Tuesday
Read more

95 comments:

bups said...

Against the Phillies, a postponement is almost as good as a win.

FS said...

Yay we split series against the Phillies.

josh f said...

Does this mean Wang starts Tuesday, instead of Detwiler?

sunderland said...

Interesting decisions to be made about the rotation now. Do you slide everyone 2 days and let CMW start Tuesday v CIN? Or have CMW throw a simulated game today and push him back a week? I would think the extra days of rest would not necessarily be good for him at this point of his recovery.
I'm betting we don't see CMW again until Friday.

Mark Zuckerman said...

Davey said Wang will now pitch Tuesday against the Reds, and everyone else in the rotation will slide back as well. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the end up skipping someone before the end of the week. Working on a longer story right now in which I'll raise that possibility...

Anonymous said...

I would think the extra days of rest would not necessarily be good for him at this point of his recovery.
I'm betting we don't see CMW again until Friday.


Yeah, that extra day of rest he got between starts 2 and 3 really set him back, didn't it?

Bzl. said...

I predict they'll skip JZimm to save his innings.

sunderland said...

Anon 12:17, you're a genius you are. I guess we should just let him have 3 extra days and he should be Cy Young himself.

Jim Webster said...

With all the talk about our need for a leadoff center fielder, this one about Milwaukee's will interest many here (sorry link is so long):
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/sports/baseball/brewers-morgan-turns-fake-personality-into-a-real-phenomenon.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=tony%20plush&st=cse

baseballswami said...

Hey - does this mean we split the series with Philly? Maybe by Sept 20 , they will be resting everyone for the playoffs.

Gonat said...

A. J. Cole (W, 4-6) 5IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 9K

Maybe Strasburg rubbed off on AJ Cole. Best outing of the year for him.

NatsLady said...

@Jim Webster: read the article. Key line-- Nyjer was in the "Wild West" with a young team (ours), now is among veterans and "he follows our advice." Maybe that is NOT what happened when Werth apparently tried to give him advice here.

I'm glad T.Plush is having a good time, but I think Ankiel is fine for us.

Another_Sam said...

I finally have to ask: what is a simulated game? How does it differe from just throwing? What part of a real game does it simulate? Does anyone believe it simulates anything? Could I throw a perfect game, simulated?

Anonymous said...

Been tracking the shedule of J Zimmerman and it's impact on the Stras call up / first game. Hoping the changes / Nationals scheduling decision ensures a start on the 6 or 7 of Sept. I can't make the day game on the 8th and don't want to see his start pushed back to the Astros series. Any more thoughts, Mark?

Gonat said...

sunderland said...
I'm fine with HRod. He's a work in progress for sure. And it's a bummer that since he is out of waivers he needs his refinining during MLB games.
___________________________

Like some of the other Nats relievers with issues like Gaudin and Slaten, Henry could have a shoulder or elbow tweak and be put on the DL so he can 'get better' and then go back to rehabbing in the Minors. The same for Sean Burnett.

No way this guy should be learning on the job at the expense of this team and his teammates.

I will step down from my soapbox as I suggested this 2 months ago.

dale said...

Remember how horrible Zimmermann was after the extra days off following the all star break? Skipping his start may not be the wisest move.

OTOH Espinosa appears fatigued in both mind and body. Skipping a couple of his starts might be just the tonic.

Anonymous said...

IIRC, a similated game is where a pitcher pitches X number of pitches (I think about 20?) then sits / takes a break for 10-15 minutes and repeats that cycle three or four times -- simulating the action of pitching an inning, sitting in the dugout.

Gonat said...

dale said...
OTOH Espinosa appears fatigued in both mind and body. Skipping a couple of his starts might be just the tonic.

August 14, 2011 1:38 PM
_____________________________

No RBIs, no big hits, since July 17th. Swing & miss percentage the worst on the team. Clearly not right.

Hope 2 days off can clear some cob webs. In hindsight, some days off in the last 3 weeks may have helped.

Big Cat said...

Agree......Espi looks horrible at the plate right now. Just overmatched. A rest is well overdue

NatsLady at the gym said...

Watching SF vs the Fish. How much weight has Sandobal lost??? I want his diet.

baseballswami said...

Amusing myself during the lack of Nats by checking in on some other teams. The Cubs are struggling mightily against the Braves early in the game ( wish the Cubs had struggled more against us). They also have the once-per-season Zambrano soap-opera going on.The Braves are horrified by Heyward's awful sophomore season, hitting 218. Meanwhile, the Marlins, who have probably the least number of fans of any team, have demoted one of their most popular players - Logan Morrison, perhaps for hitting 240? That would be better than half of our regular players.But it could be because he tweets a lot? And - they are in the basement of the NL East. It would seem that there are plenty of issues to go around, no matter which team you root for. I hope the 2 days of rest and early homecoming will refresh and relax the team after a grueling road trip. GYFNG! But first - get some rest.

Anonymous said...

I finally have to ask: what is a simulated game? How does it differe from just throwing? What part of a real game does it simulate? Does anyone believe it simulates anything? Could I throw a perfect game, simulated?

No, because you're a simulated loser.

Gonat said...

baseballswami - That's interesting on Logan Morrison with a .249/.327 slash gets sent down to work on things.

The Marlins are winners (over the years) and it looks like they see that move as helping LoMo even though he is a popular player.

This was discussed here with Desmond and if the season wasn't almost over would be something that maybe you do with Espinosa. Its a tough call with these young players who are struggling that have Minor League options left.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110814&content_id=23205170&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

NatsJack in Florida said...

The LoMo move was strictly disciplinary. They wouldn't even provide a solid positive when asked if he was still considered an important piece as they move into their new stadium next year.

Gabby Sanchez is in a worse slump and hitting slightly worse, but he's not going anywhere.

NatsLady said...

Marquis just went flying when a ball hit him on the calf. Gonna stay in the game. So, we'll see if he was "honest" with the trainers or toughing it out against the Mets.

NatsLady said...

NatsJack-- yeah, they don't like the tweeting, and, when asked about "off the field activities" didn't deny that was part of the reason for the move.

Gonat said...

Uggla's hitting streak officially ended and Eric O'Flaherty is human, giving up a HR to a lefty.

Anonymous8 said...

Do the Marlins have a double standard? Hanley Ramirez has a bad attitude. Haven't heard anything negative about Logan Morrison until now. So he Twitters bad stuff? Huh?

Slidell said...

Adam Dunn has been sitting quite a bit lately, for various reasons. Presently, he is tending to "family issues". Meanwhile, Konerko is re-habbing at DH, and Lillibridge is doing quite nicely filling in at First.
Not a happy situation for either the Sox (Big Contract) or the Big Guy (Performance).
Hope things turn around for Adam.

NatsLady said...

The Marlins got on his case about tweeting and his pic on his twitter account had a piece of tape over his mouth. Here is more on the subject.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/2011/08/13/are-florida-marlins-sending-a-message-by-demoting-outspoken-left-fielder-logan-morrison/

Gonat said...

Jason Marquis out with an injury

NatsLady said...

Marquis out of the game limping.

Marlins fans pretty hot about LoMo. "Morrison is second on the team with 17 homers and third with 60 RBI. He has been playing for nearly a week with five stitches in his right knee."

Anonymous8 said...

NatsLady, it is the typical BS for ball teams (all sports). They try to send a message (saying it isn't message) and let the star player continue to be a problem.

NatsLady said...

A-8: so they are sending a message to Hanley by demoting Morrison? Ha. Too devious for me.

Anonymous8 said...

NatsLady, I didn't say that. They are sending a message to Morrison and everyone else and some will see it as a message and some won't care. Hanley in reality couldn't be demoted because he has no options and would be scooped up.

spark said...

Re: Earlier post about Nyjer / CF / Leadoff.
Nyjer rarely actually hits leadoff for MIL. That was Rickie Weeks and lately has been Corey Hart.
Although today, with Nyjer batting #2, Felipe Lopez is leading off.
How bizarre.

Anonymous8 said...

spark, every time someone mentions Nyjer I think of Hanrahan since they were involved in the same trade. Both teams are battling in extra innings in Milwaukee today. Joel Hanrahan lowers his ERA to 1.03 in a tough 1.1 innings.

Nyjer seems to enjoy facing his old team(s).

NatsLady said...

A-8: yeah, I was pretty sure that was what you were saying.

spark: amazing that Felipe Lopez has a JOB.

Marquis was pitching pretty well before he got hit with that come-backer. Several ground-ball outs.

Gonat said...

Nyjer at the plate to win the game with men on 1st and 2nd and 1 out in extras.

Gonat said...

Yep, T Plush with the walkoff Sac Fly

NatsLady said...

And he did, and he knew it.

Anonymous8 said...

Gonat, it was actually men on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out when T Plush got the Sac Fly. Horrible strategy by the Pirates. You have to walk the bases and take your chances with Ryan Braun and try to get a double play.

Notice all the fans giving the "T" sign. They get the "T" sign and the Nats got Cutter Dykstra. That stings.

NatsLady said...

Marquis has a fractured right fibula, according to D-Backs announcers.

LoveDaNats said...

@Anon at 4:31
Now that was just mean.

Hates anonymous posters said...

LoveDaNats-- yes, it was.

NatsLady said...

The Marlins also released Wes Helms (batting .191) who is (was) the players' union rep, and had been advising Morrison.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/2011/08/14/after-offering-advise-to-logan-morrison-wes-helms-gets-released-by-florida-marlins/

NatsLady said...

That had to be some serious pain Marquis went through. He pitched the next inning, gave up a home run, then he hit a batter (Thole) and they both fell at the same time, Marquis grabbing his leg, both guys in pain. Looks like Marquis will be out for the season. Thole stayed in the game.

Andrew said...

Marquis sustains fractured right fibula
By Anthony Fenech / MLB.com | 08/14/11 6:00 PM

PHOENIX -- D-backs starting pitcher Jason Marquis left Sunday afternoon's start against the Mets with a fractured right fibula.

Marquis was hit by a comebacker off the bat of Angel Pagan on his lower right leg in the third inning, but stayed in the game.

After hitting catcher Josh Thole with a pitch in the fourth, Marquis immediately went to the ground clutching his right leg. After being examined by trainers, he limped off the field under his own power.

Marquis, a 32-year-old veteran, was acquired by the D-backs in a trade with the Nationals on July 30. In two starts, he recorded an 0-2 record and 12.38 ERA.

jd said...

Anon8,

Walk Morgan to get to Braun? Are you on drugs?

Sparked said...

Pitching to Morgan was a good move. Walking him sets up the DP, so that's the only reason to walk him. But if you walk Nyjer, a fly ball still beats you. So your best odds are to try to get Nyjer out without the runner advancing (come backer, popup, strikeout) and then hopefully deal with Braun with two outs.

NatsLady said...

Speaking of our former CF, this from Twitter:

Nyjer "Tony Plush" Morgan continues to be totaly unpredictable. After winning the game for Brewers, he bolts without talking to media.

The D-Backs TV announcers seem pretty good and didn't once discuss what they were eating. The do have "Kid-Caster," which I could really do without, and went on WAY too long. Please don't let us have that here!

Anyway, the announcers mentioned a couple of interesting stats.

1) With the bases loaded, the D-Backs are the best in the NL, with a .384 batting average. That still means that more than 6 out of 10 times they fail at the plate in that situation.

2) They are perfect (62-0) winning games when they are ahead after 8 innings. They are the only team in MLB with that record.

This seems to back up DC Wonk (from a few days ago) about the chances of tying or winning a game in the 9th inning. Of course, that was in the context of playing the CUBS with Marmol pitching...

P.S. Bryce Harper just got his 2nd hit and 2nd stolen base.

NatsLady said...

Also, the D-Backs have their Debbi Taylor, her name is "Jodi" and post-game she asked Justin Upton "how does it feel..." and then she asked him "what was your approach when you hit the home run?" Are they clones???

The Yankees have a good female sportscaster, she's in the booth, not on the sidelines.

Anonymous8 said...

jd said...
Anon8,

Walk Morgan to get to Braun? Are you on drugs?

August 14, 2011 7:12 PM

Hey know-it-all, does it make you feel great to call names and make disparaging remarks?

The announcers were saying the same thing. Pick your poison. Nyjer could suicide squeeze. It wasn't a matter of walking Morgan TO GET TO Braun. It was playing the odds on an infield grounder to have the force at home.

Gonat said...

NatsLady said...
1) With the bases loaded, the D-Backs are the best in the NL, with a .384 batting average. That still means that more than 6 out of 10 times they fail at the plate in that situation.
____________________________

That isn't true that they FAIL 6 out of 10 times unless you are considering 2 outs with bases loaded. A .384 batting average is amazing with bases loaded. They get hits to a .384 average. With less than 2 outs they still can score runs with bases loaded on Sac Flys and Sac Bunts (squeezes), groundouts.

NatsLady said...

Gonat, right, I should check that. Good point.

Gonat said...

NatsLady, anytime and at least you weren't told you were on -drugs-. There is a right way to address people and JD needs some manners.

We may not always agree but calling names when subjectively judging strategies just means a difference of opinion.

baseballswami said...

So - earlier in the day I was checking on the National League gossip of the weekend. Thanks for sharing on those topics. Next, I decided to check out "The Franchise" on Showtime on demand - ended up watching all 5 episodes straight through. Pretty good. Anybody else watching? It really made me think about our players and wonder what they are like in the clubhouse, in their lives, traveling, etc. I rooted for The Giants in the post season ( they were against they phils, so - of course I did) and now I think I am hooked on the series.Now I need to figure out what I am going to do tomorrow evening without my Nats again. This is a long time of no Nats.

NatsLady said...

Gonat -- their team BA is .250 (OBP .319). I don't know where to find a deeper analysis (checked fangraphs and baseball reference). Is there a deeper analysis online?

TimDz said...

Signing deadline tomorrow at midnight...still kinda quiet...although there were rumblings on MLBtraderumors that Rizzo was talking with Purke's agent...
Anyone hear any other news?

NatsLady said...

re: The Franchise. Maybe they will sell it eventually on Amazon.com for download like they do with some other series. Then I will have a chance to watch it. :)

Yeah, the time really drags without our Nats!

NatsLady said...

TimDZ: there was an article in the Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/nationals-general-manager-mike-rizzo-was-in-houston-negotiating-with-matt-purke/2011/08/14/gIQAW7PEFJ_blog.html

Gonat said...

NatsLady, there are advanced stats that the non-subscription websites may not have like you are talking about.

Elias Sports and Stats are 2 paid services that the broadcasters generally use for the situational stats like that.

baseballswami said...

Just listening to MLB talking about the Lomo thing. It's pretty obvious that it's some kind of retaliation towards him. He is one of their most popular players - don't they need that kind of guy for their new stadium?They have like NO fans. I know they don't like the tweeting and their manager is about a 100 years old, but he seems like he really plays hard - I don't recall seeing him pull any stunts on they field (Nyger -like). And once again - Hanley skates.

NatsLady said...

Thanks, Gonat. Will check and see if I have enough interest to invest. I kind of enjoy the stats and would like to know more.

gonatsgo said...

I agree with some of the above posters about the relative silence on the signing front. The last few years there have been the Strasburg/Harper circuses going on. Is the deadline midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow night? Are these guys that will surely sign? I guess if you are done with college then there is really nothing else to do. Really a shame about Marquis - that is bizarre. He is a good guy and you just hate to see that happen.

FS said...

baseballswami, that's what I thought of LoMo's demotion too. Maybe Hanley must have been unhappy with him for some reason and Loria did what he does best. It would be better for us if they demote Stanton while they are at it.

NatsLady said...

Teams have until 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday to come to terms with their draftees, meaning official notification has to be in the Commissioner's Office when the clock strikes midnight.

Gus in FFX said...

Arguably dodged a bullet today with Marquis injury post trade, but more importantly we still have the hope and energy associated with Storen/Lambo rather than pulling our hair out over Span. After returning with an 0 for 40 or something like that, he's now thinking about shutting it down for the year. Concussions are a tricky injury indeed.

http://www.rotowire.com/Denard-Span-googid376609-spmlb.htm

Gonat said...

Gus, big news on Span. Didn't dodge any bullet with Marquis. That injury was from a line drive to his lower leg and is one of those crazy injuries. It isn't like he had a time bomb on his shoulder that blew up.

Gonat said...

NatsLady said...
Thanks, Gonat. Will check and see if I have enough interest to invest. I kind of enjoy the stats and would like to know more.

August 14, 2011 8:34 PM
______________________

You are welcome. I would ask Mark Zuckerman his thoughts on it as I am sure he is a subscriber to one or both of them.

natsfan1a said...

That's awful about the Marquis injury. I really grew to like the guy and am sorry to hear that he ran into bad luck today.

NatsLady said...

I'm still fascinated by that .384 batting average with bases loaded compared to .250 team batting average. Even allowing that you would put in a pinch hitter a lot of times with the bases loaded and thus eliminate the pitcher's BA, it still seems amazing-- especially since people seemed to agree there is no such thing as "clutch hitting."

What factor (besides pinch hitters) would account for it?

NatsLady said...

This shows what I know. Watched Span in person on Auguat 6 vs. the White Sox. He went 0 for 4 (but so did Adam Dunn), he got on base (by a fielder's choice, I think) and stole a base, and didn't mess up in the outfield. I didn't notice anything wrong with him...

Gonat said...

JD - Did you do any research on Nyjer vs. Braun this season before you spouted off? We all know Ryan Braun's reputation and I think you would find the stats interesting.

Seems Nyjer has much better stats than Braun with runners on 3rd base and less than 2 outs this year.

Ryan Braun is batting .326 this year and a much less impressive .222 this year with bases loaded. Still, with 1 out and bases loaded that .222 is only for hits. He still could hit a Sac Fly just like Morgan to win the game. Braun has a K% of 14.8%. Braun is very good with scoring the man from 3rd with less than 2 outs at 62%.

Nyjer is batting .317 this season and 1.000 with runners on 2nd and 3rd but isn't statistically signficant as he has only had 3 situations like that this year and 1 was a hit, 1 was a HBP and 1 was a Sac Fly. Now then, Nyjer has been super clutch in all situations with RISP batting .352 this season (yah, hard to believe) and is also batting a 1.000 when less than 2 outs and a runner on 3rd going 9 for 9.

So statistically speaking, you walk Nyjer if you go by Stats unless you bring in a Lefty to face Nyjer, then you get his batting average down to .235 but to leave a RH pitcher in there in that situation I think you walk the bases loaded and pitch righty/righty to Braun.

Now then, Chris Resop has faced Ryan Braun 4 times in his career and has struck him out 1 time and given up 2 hits and one was a double. Again, a small sample size.

Resop has faced Nyjer once before and walked him (not sure if it was intentional).

Drew8 said...

At Harrisburg Harper reached base four times and is up to .256.

EriK Arnesen struck out 10 with no walks, lowering his ERA to 2.36 and improving his record to 8-3. (Randy Tomlin is in Beast Mode.)

At Hagerstown, keep an eye on big Kevin Keyes. The OF from Texas went 4 for 4 today. He's up to .266 with 10 homers and 48 RBI in 66 games.

Of note: he's struck out 59 times in 66 games and has an on base percentage of .348 -- maybe he has Michael Burgess' pop without all the flailing.

Keyes and Potomac's Destin Hood have quietly put together fine seasons.

Now let's add Goodwin (and Rendon, Meyer and Purke) to the mix!

Anonymous said...

NatsLady said...
"What factor (besides pinch hitters) would account for it?"

It's only 73 AB.

baseballswami said...

Glad to hear that Bryce is doing well in Harrisburg. Strassie will have another start this week and the big club is at home. Maybe all will be right with the world again soon. Also - I am relieved that Rizzo did not make the trade for Span. Concussions are serious business and the guy hadn't been back and shown that he was well.

Gonat said...

Drew8, that is great on-the-farm notes. I agree with Destin Hood and was hoping he was going to be promoted to Harrisburg when Harper was.

You didn't mention Komatsu. He is hitting RH pitching well and he went 3 for 5 tonight in AA.

Don't know much about Keyes and been to a few Hagerstown games. Tough to get excited about a .266 low A guy unless there is a lot more to the story. Scouting on him says he doesn't hit under the lights well which is a problem and for a RH hitter that struggles against LH pitchers is also an issue. Since the Major Leagues play almost 6 games a week at night, unless he goes to the Chicago Cubs, that's a problem.

On Bryce Harper, I am most excited to hear he is taking walks. For an aggressive hitter, that is good news which the Nats want to see that plate discipline.

#4 said...

I didn't look it up but in general I think teams have higher batting averages when the bases are loaded. Pitchers are forced to be aggressive with less margin for error. They don't want to walk in a run. Therefore, batters get better pitches to hit.

You need to pitch to N.Morgan, hope you get him out, and then walk Braun. I think the point is that you'll probably need to get two out of the next three hitters - Morgan, Braun, Fielder. Given that choice, I'd make Nyjer one of the two I'd try to retire.

NatsLady said...

#4, that point about averages with the bases loaded makes sense to me. Same idea as being "protected" by good hitters in the line-up. Thanks.

FS said...

Gonat 9:53, you can not possibly convince me to walk Morgan to get to Braun, unless Nyjer is in super form AND Ryan is in super duper slump. Even then I would think twice about walking Morgan in the bottom of 10th.

Mark'd said...

#4, I hear you on the Pirates game. I was listening to the radio feed. They were thinking you had to pitch Nyjer with a left-handed pitcher or have Resop walk him.

Nyjer is just on it this year. The Pirates are just spiraling out of control. Just read the blame game on the Pittsburgh Gazette blog.

NatsLady said...

Braun - .333 in August. Overall .320 RISP.
Morgan - .308 in August. Overall .352 RISP.
Fielder - .425 in August. Overall .336 RISP.

Nobody's slumping. Wouldn't wanna meet ANY of those guys in the 10th with runners on 2nd and 3rd.

Gonat said...

Mark'd and NatsLady, I think you just answered FS's question. No options are great.

You pitch to Nyjer when you insert in a left-handed pitcher.

The guy is raking against Righty pitching. I just think you have stats for reasons and you have to try to neutralize the toughest of situations.

Oh well, glad it happened to another team.

NatsLady said...

I know guys are supposed to tough it out, but really--? Not only did Marquis apparently make his own injury worse, he could have seriously injured another player. Can there be a rule if a pitcher gets hit by a batted ball he automatically comes out of the game and gets X-rays?

From the report on Marquis:

[W}hile pitching in the fourth, Marquis pushed off his foot trying to throw a sinker, and hit catcher Josh Thole. Both players crumbled to the ground. While Thole was able to get up and remain in the game, Marquis' leg simply gave out. X-rays revealed the break.

"When I pushed off,'' Marquis said, "I felt it pop. It pretty much just completed the break."

Anonymous said...

Dibble would be proud of Marquis. TOUGH IT OUT MAN!

NatsLady said...

OK, anon 11:06-- THAT made me laugh out loud! So true.

Gonat said...

Anon, he actually said "SUCK IT UP, KID"

"OK, you throw a pitch, it bothers your arm, and you immediately call out the manager and the trainer? Suck it up, kid. This is your profession. You chose to be a baseball player. You can't have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow."

NatsLady said...

Commentary on Wang from a Fantasy site:

Let’s take a look at Chien-Ming Wang. He’s pitched just 137 innings between 2008-2010 as he has battled foot and shoulder problems. Some feared that his career was over but Wang has indeed made it back to the majors and has three starts under his belt this year. He has a respectable 3.60 ERA, but he has allowed six unearned runs so far and 12 runs in 15 IP.

But before we give up on Wang, let’s look at his three outings start by start:

7/29 – 4 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 4 FB, 7 GB, 6 LD
8/3 – 5 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 5 FB, 14 GB, 3 LD
8/9 — 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 FB, 11 GB, 1 LD

His 2.40 BB/9, 58.2 GB% and 7.7 HR/FB all match up quite well with his 2005-2008 heyday, when he won 19 games in the two years he made 30+ starts. He was always a pitcher who outperformed his xFIP and this year it’s even more dramatic due to his virtual complete lack of Ks (1.80 K/9).

However, Wang lives and dies not by his ability to strike batters out but by his penchant for getting batters to beat the ball in the ground. In his last two starts, he’s induced 25 GB and allowed 9 FB in 11 IP. Yes, these are very small sample sizes. But it is still very encouraging to see him doing what he did best when he was healthy.

With matchups against the Reds and Phillies this week, two of the bottom four teams in the NL in GB%, Wang may have his work cut out for him.

Mark'd said...

Dibble is a shock jock. He talks about baseball like its a contact sport and the Dibble is never wrong.

NatsLady said...

Don't the Pirates come unglued every year? It's just happening later than usual, so everyone is shocked, shocked.

Mark'd said...
The Pirates are just spiraling out of control. Just read the blame game on the Pittsburgh Gazette blog.

Scooter said...

NatsLady said...
Don't the Pirates come unglued every year? It's just happening later than usual,


NatsLady, I think the Pittsburgh fans have a kettle they'd like to show us. I suspect that it is black.

Also, do you know how to find team splits on bb-ref? Go to a team's page, mouse over Batting, then click Splits. Check out the Nats page for an example, if you haven't seen it. Don't want you to shell out if you don't need to.

Drew8 said...

It looks like a lot of the supplemental round picks are starting to sign.

But with fewer than 23 hours to go, 24 of the top 34 picks and 33 of the top 60 remain unsigned.

I hope Boras is charging his phone.

(Goodness knows, he's charging his clients.)

Anonymous said...

The Pirates will lose 90 games this year.
Book it.

NatsLady said...

Scooter, thanks a lot! I knew how to find the splits for players but not teams, will play around with the team pages. This may result in COMPLETE insommnia, but will break my addiction to Farmville. :)

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