Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Game 128: Nats at Marlins

US Presswire file photo
Stephen Strasburg tries to snap the Nats' losing streak tonight at Marlins Park.
The Nationals have done a remarkable job all season overcoming injuries to key players, but let's be honest: They really missed Michael Morse and Ian Desmond while getting swept in Philadelphia over the weekend. The return of both players to the lineup for tonight's two-game series opener in Miami can only be viewed as a positive thing.

Morse (bruised hand) and Desmond (mild hamstring strain) will be hitting fifth and sixth, respectively, in manager Davey Johnson's lineup. That bumps Jayson Werth and his .391 on-base percentage back up to the leadoff spot, giving the Nationals as potent a lineup as they're going to field at this point in the season.

They've also got the man they want on the mound when they're trying to snap a losing streak: Stephen Strasburg. Not only is the right-hander 3-0 without giving up a run against the Marlins this season, he's also 4-0 with a 1.44 ERA when starting with the Nationals on a losing streak of three games or more.

I'm not in Miami for this series, the last road trip I'm scheduled to miss for the remainder of the season. I will, however, be appearing live on CSN's SportsNet Central at 10 p.m. with analysis of tonight's game, so be sure to tune in for that. In the meantime, enjoy the game and the conversation here...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Marlins Park
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 187
Weather: Indoors
NATIONALS (77-50)
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
LF Michael Morse
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Stephen Strasburg

MARLINS (58-71)
LF Bryan Petersen
CF Justin Ruggiano
SS Jose Reyes
1B Carlos Lee
RF Giancarlo Stanton
3B Greg Dobbs
2B Donovan Solano
C Rob Brantly
RHP Ricky Nolasco

UMPIRES
TBA

273 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   1 – 200 of 273   Newer›   Newest»
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 273 Newer› Newest»
Steady Eddie said...

GYFNG!!!!

dabassguy1 said...

Missed the last four shows out on the road watching my favorite band. Hopefully, Morse and Desi's return combined with Stras will end this losing streak. Man, I miss watching the games when I can't watch them.

GYFNG!!

A DC Wonk said...

Lineup sure looks better with Werth leading off and Morse & Desmond in there!

SonnyG10 said...

OK, Nats, turn it on. Don't make me stress out early in the game. Put feet on Marlins' neck and keep it there. GYFNG!!!!

Steady Eddie said...

And pitch carefully to that Stanton dude.

And throw over to first a lot if Reyes gets on. Don't listen to the booing from the 17 fans in the stadium when you do that.

Pilchard said...

The Nats 3 hottest hitters are:

Lombardozzi: .421 BA in the last two weeks.
Tyler Moore: .333 in the last two weeks; 3 of the 5 RBI last weekend.
The Shark: .556 over the last two weeks.

By comparison,

Espinosa: .234 with 14Ks in 41 ABs over last two weeks
LaRoche: .231 1 RBI over the last two weeks
Morse: .143 over the last two weeks.

At what point, do you go with your hottest hands?

peric said...

Moore 1b next sesson he deserves it.

natsfan1a said...

Make me proud, boys. :-)

Secret wasian man said...

Sad day in DC. Cooley cut. Need the NATS to win and cheer me up. Die Shannahan

NatsLady said...

Interesting article (see link on the right) about how Atlanta limited Medlen's innings by starting him off in the bullpen with the goal of him being available at the end of the season.

You have to wonder if they could miss the playoffs altogether due in part to that decision--could he have won 3 or 4 (more) games for them.

NatsLady said...

Not Nats Related. Not Baseball Related.

But this is REALLY cool. Stay safe, Gulf!

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7oJvwY4Rik&feature=player_embedded

JD said...


NL,

I don't think Atlanta considered Medlen one of their top 5 starters at the beginning of the year anyway so I think that this is really revisionist history seeing as how he's been their most effective pitcher lately.

I have only seen Medlen once but I am not convinced that he's Tom Seaver or Greg Maddux just yet.

JD said...


Peric,

Where's Morse playing next year?

RickH said...

Not sure I want to cut ALR loose.

JD said...


RickH,

I am not sure that's happening either but I am also not ready to anoint Moore as the full time 1st baseman even if we don't re up ALR.

MicheleS said...

GYFNG! STAY HEALTHY BOYS!

The best news of the day.. Mark travels for the rest of the season! See you in St Louis!

Anonymous said...

Pilchard said...

"The Nats 3 hottest hitters are:

Lombardozzi: .421 BA in the last two weeks.
Tyler Moore: .333 in the last two weeks; 3 of the 5 RBI last weekend.
The Shark: .556 over the last two weeks.

By comparison,

Espinosa: .234 with 14Ks in 41 ABs over last two weeks
LaRoche: .231 1 RBI over the last two weeks
Morse: .143 over the last two weeks.

At what point, do you go with your hottest hands?"

Never. You go with your best players and you understand the incredibly misleading nature of small sample sizes.


MicheleS said...

For those wondering if National Media would criticize the O's attendance, well, Rose/Millar on Intentional talk made a point of calling out the fact that they are not drawing.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

GYFNG

peric said...

1) your posts are redundant.

JD, I'm usually right and you're usually not.
That has to count for something.

Your Giggleman's Island mentality is why the Nats lost last season when they just might have had a winning record ... using less veterans and more top talent from the minors.

MicheleS said...

I know we hate the Barves, but send a thought out to one of their bloggers. Sad story for such a young man.

Mac Thomason

sm13 said...

Take Stanton out of the Marlins lineup and they look pretty weak. Our guys need to pitch around him for the next two days.

Go Nats!

DWS said...

Regarding run support (last post} who has JZ faced?
Every pitcher has the misfortune of facing an ace or a pitcher on a roll. If any stat people want to really delve into numbers be my guest.
Davey's going with the vets, lets see how it goes. I would have put Lombo in left itting second and sat Bryce. But I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn last night.



DWS said...

And as always Baseball is just a little part of our lives that really isn't going to change mankind.
Thanks for the reality check MicheleS.

Theophilus T. S. said...

My mistake -- I didn't realize they lost because Desmond and Morse were out. I thought it was because they were out-pitched.

natsfan1a said...

From Mark's Tweeter feed. Now, that's funny (Hi, Davey and Mike!). :-)

RT @acomak Davey & Rizzo start pre-game session together. Davey puts Rizzo in headlock. Point was Sun. convo = "normal business as usual."

DWS said...

If I had a fantasy team next year Medlen would be on it.
Theo?

mick said...

Secret wasian man said...
Sad day in DC. Cooley cut. Need the NATS to win and cheer me up. Die Shannahan

I was driving to work this morning and heard the junkies go one about Graham Gano being cut... it was actually pretty funny. I will miss Cooley

But to be honest, i am so wrapped into the Nats, I really could care less about the Skins


Can't wait for tonight's game. GO NATS!!!

BigCat said...

Stras has gotta come out and blank these bums for 7 and then turn it over to our pen. We can't lose if the fish don't score. Period

Drew said...

Notes for the stretch run:

1. Don't let Stanton beat you.

2. Don't let McCutcheon beat you.

3. Don't let Votto beat you.

4. Don't let Kemp beat you.

5. Don't let Wright beat you.

NatsLady said...

Re: Medlen. Yes. A lot of it is hindsight. The Atl "assumed" they were playoff bound and that Medlen was not (yet) an Ace and planned accordingly. The Nats "assumed" they were an 85-87 win team, probably not playoff bound and Stras should pitch on regular rest as a starter as JZ did last year.

That's why a lot of "why didn't the Nats do X,Y,Z with Stras to manage it better" criticisms are total baloney.

Anonymous said...

We have our Hammer line-up in there tonight. Good luck!!

UnkyD said...

All I want for my birthday is the beginning of a new win streak!! Happy 53, to me:-)

sm13 said...

Agree with Drew. Do you add Holiday or Beltran to that list?

MicheleS said...

UnkyD! Happy Birthday! And I want a win for you!!!

MicheleS said...

NJ.. It looks like there are 500 people there. Wow! That is not good. After watching the Franchise, I actually feel bad for some of their players (except reyes). Definitely don't feel bad for Loria, he is getting exactly what he deserves.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Batters 3 and 4 again 0 for 2 RISP . Harper didn't help dilly rallying in the batters box. First time I remember if not hustling. Probably cost them a run at least as Lee would be holding

MicheleS said...

OY! What the heck was that!

NatsLady said...

Addendum: Don't let Ruggiano beat you.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Fifth game in a row starter gave up first run. I thought we were going to get out of this terrible habit they have started.

MicheleS said...

Well this will shut up the Strasburg crap

blovy8 said...

Cries of shut him down can be heard...

blovy8 said...

But then, you can pretty much hear every conversation in that ballpark...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Is it too much to ask to score first. I am in a bad mood already. first two hitters leave man on base Then Stras pitches terrible.

blovy8 said...

Not a bad swing from a guy who's been off several days.

blovy8 said...

espy is swinging at breaking balls and taking fastballs, makes NO sense.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I see the same batting we have seen last Tuesday. I thought they would fix the problem.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

10 Pitch second inning. That is what I expected from Strasburg in the first.

blovy8 said...

Now Stras will not be letting any fastballs go by...

sjm308 said...

Hate posting during a game - when is the last time we were ahead in a game? When is the last time we scored the first run in a game?
Will take a deep breath now.

Go Nats!!

blovy8 said...

The Nats current motto "we make every pitcher feel good except our own"

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sjm, last lead was a week ago 4-1 against Braves.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

0 For 10 first 3 innings . Nolaslo last 8 games 1-6 with nearly 7.00 ERA. So what are the hitters. excuse tonight?

Secret wasian man said...

A loss tonight means one week since nats won a game. But hey. No need to panic. Zimmerman said so

Secret wasian man said...

Another steal. Ugly.

blovy8 said...

Remind me again why 6.5 million Suzuki was picked up?

blovy8 said...

I'm not going to panic. Anger or depression are the more likely results.

NatsNutty said...

Whelp, so far, the Nats are making Rickie look like just another Cy Young Award candidate with their anemic hitting. I guess it doesn't matter when or if Morse and Desmond return to the lineup, their anemic hitting is contagious. I also hope Stras "finds his groove" before the game gets out of reach (once again)!

blovy8 said...

ok, it's anger

-Dan- said...

It's so annoying, everything is going against us, we need a huge break for turning things around.

blovy8 said...

carlos lee? that's like laroche stealing

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Fielders quit. easy double play. Rizzo needs to go yell at players. Davey not the One screwing up they are. Stras doesn't bother to hold runners I see.

Steady Eddie said...

With Danny's error and Strassy's inability to hold anyone in, they now officially are looking like losers. This is sad.

Secret wasian man said...

This team is really hard to watch right now. They are bad. If you disagree I think your just in denial. Go nats

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Giving them extra outs. Giving away bases like they are Tums. The old Nats are back.

Legion of Doom, are there any seats left on this Titanic?

blovy8 said...

Good thing it's not September yet. Probably should just get Stammen up.

sm13 said...

Greg friggin' Dobbs. Not to mention the suddenly speedy Carlos Lee. This is now embarrassing and worrisome.

blovy8 said...

Wow, a throw over, I forgot they were allowed to do that. Surprised is wasn't a balk at this point.

Secret wasian man said...

Shut him down now. They are choking. Sept 15 th out of first. No need to waste innings get him out. Doom and gloom? You better believe it.

Unknown said...

This team is unraveling like a cheap suit. By the time the Dodgers leave town, the Nationals won't be in first place in the NL West. This looks like another 2005 collapse.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Why don't they take Strasburg out? Why waste innings? He looks terrible.

blovy8 said...

It's not like Strasburg is a converted outfielder or something. Nobody should have to tell you.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Espinosa error turns into 2 freebie runs and several extra pitches.

Danny and Harper need time off.

NatsNutty said...

5-0, no hitting, no pitching, no fielding. We're partying like it's 2008, 2009, and 2010.

blovy8 said...

The only good thing about this is that it will only count as one loss.

blovy8 said...

Kind of agree with you Steve, but EVERYONE had a day off yesterday.

Grandstander said...

This might not have been a "must win", but it was definitely a "don't play like crap" game, and they're failing spectacularly. Might be time for some of this "veteran leadership" to hold a players meeting and set some people right. This is not a playoff caliber team at the moment

Secret wasian man said...

If the nats end up Choking and not making the playoffs it will be a major disappointment. They are pressing. Yes it's panic time.

blovy8 said...

look for #1

Secret wasian man said...

It's ok Ryan. No need to panic. You said so yourself.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

day off sure didn't help did it. are we going to to just fade a way tonight.
All 3 on
were ha
be been awful. Rizzo yelled at wrong group

blovy8 said...

The youth of the staff is showing up now, plus the other clubs are gearing up for the Nats.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The 2005 collapse was much earlier. I will agree that the current squad resembles the bumbling Astros squad from a few weeks ago. I am just waiting for a couple of our guys to bump into each other....

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Come on NatsJack, Nats will get it going!

blovy8 said...

This guy isn't no-hitting the Nats if they leave Strasburg in, he'll at least get a hit.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Except for the homer we have hit the ball harder. However We are hitting it where they are

Secret wasian man said...

Tomorrows lineup should be. Bernadine. More. Lombo. Flores. Det. Nady. Morse. And Hellen keller

Jane Elizabeth said...

We need a big deal like the other teams. Remember in 2005 when the Nats brought in Preston Wilson for the stretch drive?

This game was over in the first inning, by the way, so if Strasburg comes out to pitch, the Nationals obviously don't care about pitch counts or inning counts. Oh, he should keep pitching so he doesn't interrupt his rhythm, cause his rhythm is so good right now....

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again:
It's a good thing it's the Barves that are chasing us.

Let's go Padres!

blovy8 said...

damn that Ruggiano homer was a meatball on the replay

Jane Elizabeth said...

If you want to do conspiracy stuff, you might ask whether the League has changed the strike zones against the Nats.

blovy8 said...

let's not start blaming the umps, bob. stras is stinking it up all on his own

blovy8 said...

any out is good

Steady Eddie said...

Forget the Maalox, time to go straight to the bourbon.

NatsJack, while it's only one game, I'm thinking much the same. Even when he didn't have command in July, he just could only intermittently throw strikes. He didn't leave so much out there to be hit.

I also agree with the "why waste the innings?" thought. Some games post-TJ, the command is just not there. Why throw good innings after bad?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I take it back hit. Not at someone. 5 games 6 runs. Doesn't matter who is pitching our hitters are making almost impossible to win

Secret wasian man said...

Ah hah. I thought only the doom and gloom group were on tonight. But I see the MAKE EXCUSES Group has arrived. Welcome

Jane Elizabeth said...

Why is Strasburg still in the game?

Jane Elizabeth said...

I think the whole shut-down thing has been incredibly distracting for the team. Basically, the Nats are on record that they are not really trying to win it all this year. Why should any of these other guys give their all, when next year is the year that really matters?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I place the quit-a-meter on to see if the team has heart like they most of the season or none like they did in Philly

blovy8 said...

This looks like April with worse pitching.

Jane Elizabeth said...

They look as though they have zero interest in the outcome of this game. Desmond would rather be getting massages than play.

LoveDaNats said...

We're going to need a crane to "pick each other up" at this point. Come on boys. You are better than this.

Secret wasian man said...

Lannan has pulled us out of the fire twice. Maybe it's time. This team has quit tonight. This is not a slump. This is a disease. Try again tomorrow. Time to watch dance moms. Goodnight

blovy8 said...

they're going to luck into a hit, maybe a run, but this game is over. Terrible atbats. Of course, Espy just missed a mistake. I guess anything could still happen.

Jane Elizabeth said...

K's and errors are our secret weapons.

blovy8 said...

like some extra outs, for instance.

Secret wasian man said...

That's why he gets the bigggggggg bucks. Suzukkkkk

Jane Elizabeth said...

Why is Strasburg hitting?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

William, wondering the same myself.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Somebody explain why Strasburg is still in the game? Rizzo needs to deal with this issue tomorrow. This is ridiculous to have an injured pitcher out on the mound and hitting when he is losing 6-0.

Secret wasian man said...

Now I'm pissed. Really? Still going with stras? WOW. Way about innings count?? Ughhhhhh good riddance.

blovy8 said...

Why use up your bullpen on a loss?

ehay2k said...

Not sure what it is, but the Nats have been playing BAD baseball for about a week. Pressing? Maybe. Tired? Most definitely. Stupid? Unfortunately. But all of it represents BAD baseball.

When Carlos Lee steals without a throw, you know teams have figured out you can't keep runners from stealing. Let's start there, calling for more throw-overs from the dugout. Improvement can be slow, but it needs to be constant with a young team.

Unknown said...

The Nats have never been able to hit Ricky Nolasco. For that matter, they have never been able to hit any of the Marlins pitchers.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The Nats have some ridiculous rhythm theory on top of an innings theory. Not only do you have to reduce innings, you can't take a young pitcher out of his "rhythm". Of course, there is no scientific basis for it at all, but it sounds good to baseball people.

blovy8 said...

The starts at this point are the thing, not the innings.

Secret wasian man said...

Unknown. We are 2. O against Nolasco.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Which is based 100 percent on non-science.

ehay2k said...

Oh, and about that hitting coach - is he on vacation? He is the one guy I would trade, plus cash, for the Orioles' equialent.

ExposedinDC said...

Stay positive people, no whining in here....or so I am told

Jane Elizabeth said...

That whole thing about looking at who is left on the schedule is garbage. We struggle with Colorado and Miami and seem to do well against San Fran. I guess they want to have Strasburg get hammered so hard that no one will say he should keep pitching.

Secret wasian man said...

As this Strasburg shutdown thing gets closer and closer we play worse and worse.

LoveDaNats said...

Pretty bad when the highlights montage is all Fish. Yeah, I'm kinda disappointed. Strassie does not have his stuff. Maybe this is the beginning of the end Rizzo is waiting for. Sorry. Hate to be Debbie downer but this is no fun.

Jane Elizabeth said...

There is no whining. These are observations. It has been a great season so far, but I think the Nats were not ready to deal with prime time, but there is time to get ready.

Secret wasian man said...

The glass half full folks have taken the night off.

Jane Elizabeth said...

See, who would even want Strasburg on their post-season squad? Rizzo's plan is working.

Secret wasian man said...

Will o. Well said. You got an over achieving team in bmore who is not intimidated. They are not choking. They are good.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I am kind of disgusted that the Nats are just leaving Strasburg out there to get hammered around the park. Nobody even up in the pen until the score hits 7-0. Nobody on the team even tries to hit, because Strasburg is pitching and that will end the losing streak. On to Detwiler.

LoveDaNats said...

This is easier to watch with a second glass of wine.

ehay2k said...

Stras is done for the night, thankfully. Not a good outing by him, but his defense didn't help him either. BAD baseball makes a good pitcher look BAD, and good teams look worse.

blovy8 said...

The Nats are still overachieving. Who had them over .600 before the year started? Let's not get crazy. This team is much better off than the O's.

Swift Eagle said...

Someone else saw this a few starts ago..But I thought Stras was really falling off towards 1st more than usual tonight...There's no doubt to anyone who's watched him closely the last few years he is not right..

blovy8 said...

They need to grind some atbats, take something away from this game, even if they're bound to lose.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Well, Strasburg made everything worse, with his own bad fielding play by failing to get the first runner in the 3rd. Everything steamrolled from there and his failure to hold on runners made it worse.

Swift Eagle said...

As Davey said Sunday, you're never as good as you are when you're winning or as bad as you look when you're losing...

It's a slump, it happens

ehay2k said...

Game is still not over, we have been hitting Nolasco, so we need to plug away.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The O's are a statistical fluke. Nobody wins 13 one run games in a row without a huge amount of luck. The last time I looked, they were last in their division in run differential.

ehay2k said...

Big knock by ALR and we are in it. Come on ALR!

Jane Elizabeth said...

I just think the announcers could be a bit more realistic about how the team is playing. Yes, the balls are bouncing against them, but there are other reasons as well for this bad streak. If Desmond can't stay healthy, they need someone who can. You need your SS out there game in and game out, not sitting out most of the second half with niggling injuries.

Jane Elizabeth said...

A home run now is just a tease.

Secret wasian man said...

Blovy 8. I agree with you. But once your 31 games over .500 and you can't be happy finishing with less than 92 93 wins.

ehay2k said...

Nolasco ran out of pine tar in his glove...

Secret wasian man said...

Good point on the announcers. You don't win games hitting the ball hard

blovy8 said...

There's always a high point. Maybe they just reached it and are coming back toward the team they actually are. That could still be good enough to win the division, and I think anyone should be happy with that. If you are now expecting 100 wins, you may as well be a Yankee fan or watch football.

Swift Eagle said...

William O. Douglas Loeffler said...

You need your SS out there game in and game out, not sitting out most of the second half with niggling injuries.
August 28, 2012 8:42 PM

______________________

Sort of like negative posters who never show up during the winning streaks?

I always thought it was b/c you were just haters, but maybe you had "niggling injuries"

Jane Elizabeth said...

The Nats generally need four hits in an inning to score a run with their speed. We have only 3 guys who can even run at all. Morse and La Roche are pictured next to the word lumber in the dictionary.

Anonymous said...

When was the last time Laroche came through in the clutch? He needs a day off every series. Same with Espinosa and Harper. When Sept comes we better see some call ups play. This team is tired and a choke is coming if theyre not careful.

ehay2k said...

WODL, a HR there was not a tease, it was the start of a rally. You seem to post just to inflame people here - that fake quote by Stras is a prime example of the excremental nature of your content.

NatsFanJim said...

Can we say "Free Fall'?

blovy8 said...

For what it's worth, Espy looked like a better shortstop anwyay, and there's no harm in Lombo playing 2nd every so often.

NatsFanJim said...

To quote that famous preacher:

"The Nationals' chickens have come home to Roost."

Jane Elizabeth said...

It is funny that some people complain about negative posts and I agree, if you are talking about personally attacking players or being a troll. But many of us post during losses because that is more instructive.

In my opinion, it is the true "homers" who are completely unobjective, who post during wins. But I will try to come on the next time we pound team X and post something like: "Take that team X. You suck and the Nats are great."

Secret wasian man said...

Swift I'm glad to see your taking zimms advice and not panicking. Glad you chimed in to lecture us. Don't take your frustrations out on William O. Hes has an opinion like all,of us.

NatsNut said...

I just got home and checked the score first thing. Ohmygosh, what in the heck is going on? It's the baseball gods, isn't it? We said "playoffs" too soon and too often didn't we?

I'M SORRY!!!

Swift Eagle said...

How is NOT personally attacking a player when you claimed Desmond was sitting out when he was able to play?

NatsFanJim said...

I bet the Nats would like to have back the 4-10 games that Davey cost them during the year doing his little experiments: think HRod, and that crazy experiment with Wang -- and numerous other failures to manage a close game.

Davey: A clubhouse genius; on-field dolt.

Anonymous said...

They are on strange turf and will learn from this. The last 4 teams that have gone to their first WS are collectively 2-16. It takes a while to get the feel of it. Veterans who have been there are great, but they can't experience it for you. Nobody thought this was to be our year in April, and maybe it's not. So be it. It has been a great run so far, and we may still get there. But whatever happens, we'll be better next year.

mick said...

Swift... agreed. Slumps happen, the good news is Desi and Morse are back, we will be fine. i would like to get a run or two



The Strass controversy ought to stop now, no big deal with a shut down... I think he is tired, frustrated and is showing a little immaturity in behavior on the mound. Nats will win without him the rest of the ay and this would good for Strass.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Ebay2k, you need to reel it in. If you disagree with something than write, with facts, why you disagree. Calling something "exremental" is argumentum ad hominem and gets you a D in any logic class in any philosophy class in the land.

ehay2k said...

What was "instructive" about the fake Stras quote? What was instructive about calling a three run HR a "tease"?

Your idea of instruction is pedagogy, at best. Go sell it somewhere else.

NatsFanJim said...

In Stras' defense tonight (and not to make excuses) Stras was squeezed like no other time all year -- this ump wouldn't budge on any corners -- and was generally terrible (pitch track constantly bored this out.)

Secret wasian man said...

William O Doug. Well spoken. I agree. Folks think if they are all positive they are better fans. NOT TRUE.

blovy8 said...

another fat pitch

ehay2k said...

Learn to read William ODL - I said your comments were exceremental. I never said anything about you. Please enlighten us all as to why your fake, unattributed "quote" from Stras was anything but pure excrement?

LoveDaNats said...

Un effing believable.

NatsFanJim said...

Ha ha William O brings a little edjamacation to this Homer board.

Calling out posters on their Rhetorical Fallacies!!!

I love it.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I don't think there is any question that Desmond could have played last weekend. The Nats and/or he, were being hyper-cautious, but that seems to be the team's way. I am just used to Cal Ripken and Pete Rose type of players who basically are not coming off the field unless you drag them off.

NatsFanJim said...

In fact, this board (while hosting a bunch of nice folk) is chock full of Self-deception and rampant Rhetorical Fallacies.

Hmm, most conversations in life are fallacies, come to think of it.

Oh, but everyone does it, right? (oops, the Rhetorical fallacy of "Common Occurence"

mick said...

Now, if we do not start hitting tomorrow, there may be a deeper problem going on... what that is, i have no idea

NatsFanJim said...

If the Nats blow the division, I wonder what that will do to their nascent, fragile new, fan base?

Washington, unlike other cities, Demands a winner -- (redskins excepted). That's the just the way it is.

Secret wasian man said...

Wow I hope nats win soon. It's getting ugly in here.

mick said...

ugly game and worst of season, I hope this out of their system tomorrow

blovy8 said...

W.O.D., if you watched LaRoche play 30 or so games last year with a bum shoulder, you would not be wishing for players to gut it out with an injury

JaneB said...

Not panicking here. Crying a little. But not panicking. Hoping to see some life in the offense, still.

ehay2k said...

William O has brought very little to this board as far as I can tell. His recent posts give me little incentive to review his older ones to look for something he may have written that is worthy of writing.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Is this Ebay guy the same guy who said we need to get rid of the hitting coach? I wonder how that guy's kids feel after reading that? Isn't that a personal attack on the poor hitting coach? What about saying the Nats are playing BAD baseball? How dare you attack our team's play,,,

NatsFanJim said...

Me thinks EHay is a bit overblown, oversensitive, overly crude, highly insulting, and a general Troll.

blovy8 said...

what scares me is that Suzuki is having the best atbats

NatsNut said...

Boz is right. Right now this feels twice as painful as the winning feels nice.

Swift Eagle said...

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, by Desmond still doesn't look 100% to me, and that's with almost a week off...so I don't think he could have helped last weekend...

Jane Elizabeth said...

If somebody is truly hurt, nobody should gut it out. Do you think that Desmond had that type of injury that ALR had last year? I don't. I think the team was being hyper-cautious and it might have cost them a game, but we will never know. They might have lost all three anyway.

NatsFanJim said...

Ehay: YOu take this blogging, posting 'stuff' so seriously that you would even consider "looking up old posts' to get an "I gotcha" on another poster?

Such a silly person. The Nats losing really brings out the negative in people -- which is also silly.

Anonymous said...

Verlander just gave up 9 hits and 7 ER in 1 2/3 IP. I guess they should shut him down, too!!!

DJB said...

NatsFanJim,

They lose the fan base. I chose to be a fan of baseball after a 15-year absence (Angelos having previously ruined my love of the game). I invested my time and emotion with this team. It's a grind. If we have a GM who doesn't think that is worth anything - who doesn't really want to win - why should I invest my energy in rooting for them. If they collapse, then Rizzo must be fired to restore baseball credibility to this town.

Secret wasian man said...

Nats Jim I go to every skins game and have gone to at least 10 games a year for the nats including road games since they came to dc. And I don't live close. My point is i will never switch my allegiance away from any dc team. No matter how doom and gloom i might get.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I had a problem with the whole attitude the last few days. Once again, this is a small sample and it may just be noise, but there seemed to be this feeling that it didn't matter that much because Strasburg was pitching on Tuesday and that was a sure win. That just doesn't exist in baseball. Bob Gibson broke Walter Johnson's record for ERA in 1968 on a defending World Champion, and Gibson only went 22-9.

NatsFanJim said...

Why are we losing?

Pitching staff is getting worn out.
Suzuki is a waste.
Zimm needs a shot.
LaRoche looks like he needs his Ritalin.
Desi isnt ready.
Harper is a tantrum throwing .240 hitter whose owned by lefties.
Espi is still hitting just .250.
Great Player Lombo is a bench warmer
Hot player Shark is a bench warmer
Power hitting Moore is a bench warmer.

That's about it; should be enough. I'm shocked we ever got over 10 games over .500

ehay2k said...

Wait, am I a homer, or a critic of the team? Really can't tell fromNatsfanjim or WODL's comments. But I see Jim has called me a troll, but also a homer. So personal are OK as long as they come from you, but no one else? Go take your truckload of bile somewhere else.

As for Desmond, you are not there to see if he can run, stretch, etc. They would not keep him out of games if they thought he was healthy, because he is too important to the team. How can you argue otherwise, given this year's performance by Desi?

mick said...

Fear and Ignorance

Did Verlander have TJ surgery? I was not aware?

Strass is scheduled to be shut down which is what i totally support. my point was that the shutdown could be very helpful for Strass because I think he is tiring and he some immaturity is starting to show with him.

your Verlander comparison confuses me, unless he had TJ surgery

Swift Eagle said...

OK, that's fair..The Nats have not looked as sharp mentally lately, and are playing bad baseball right now....but why is only "instructive" to show up during these losses to point this out? Isn't it also "instructive" to point out the approach that has resulted in the most wins in MLB?...To me, the true fan is able to see both good AND bad

blovy8 said...

More elbow room for me DJB. Nobody watching the excellent, winning club the Nats put out there will either. You try to win, but you have to look to tomorrow as well, or you don't win much.

NatsFanJim said...

Secret: and I am exactly like you!! Good for us -- the true fans. Unfortunately, that's not the general fan base. And if you are a native, and have been following All of our teams for many years, you would know that is true.

ehay2k said...

POTD from mick @9:09

NatsFanJim said...

Ehay: haha like an umpire, I can only call them the way I see them -- maybe I miss a corner now and then, but not often. "Troll" is insulting? Then don't be one.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The problem is that the Nats' as an organization want a healthy organization that has great players who win for years and years. They probably do not care all that much about winning a title, which, unless you are the Yankees, requires a lot of good fortune. So the Nats don't mind that much whether they win it all or not, as long as they get a result that makes the team more popular going forward.

The fans and the players on this year's squad may feel differently.

Outside of horse racing, someone please provide an example of a non-injured player who has ever skipped an entire post-season? Sandy Koufax skipped one start for the Jewish holidays, but I can't think of anyone who refused to play in the post-season in order to lengthen his career. Barry Bonds never won a World Series, nor did Ted Williams. Walter Johnson, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays won one each. There are no guarantees.

mick said...

Oh well, lets get em tomorrow night... think I will watch some of the JB Society Convention, lol, hee hee

Jane Elizabeth said...

It is called risk aversion, Ebay2k. It is a fundamental concept in economics and life insurance and life in general. The whole Strasburg debate involves risk aversion and the notion that many think the Nats are overly risk averse, to the point where it diminishes their chances to win this year.

NatsFanJim said...

On a Bright Note:

I have no worries. The Nats have been playing all year like every series was a Big one, another opportunity to Prove themselves.

Well, we peaked against Atlanta last week. Facing the Phillies - 15 games out -- became the first series the Nats seemed like they could not get up for.

Now, it is up to Davey to teach them how to win and get up for games from the prospective of the Top Dog and not the underdog: two totally different approaches.

Every loss and every win is Now squarely on Davey's shoulders. This is when he earns his money.

I think he can do it, but proof is in the pudding. He hasn't done it yet.

Swift Eagle said...

Stras is not "refusing" to play...He is being shut down by his superiors based on the instructions of the doctor who performed the surgery...

He is basically still on rehab from the surgery

Nats Fan in Brazil said...

For everyone frinking out, varlander just allowed 7 ruins in 2 in against The ROYALS....just saying

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