tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post1036745084830530151..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: MLB Power Rankings: Rangers surgingMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-14459185934014784552013-04-25T15:32:08.795-04:002013-04-25T15:32:08.795-04:00"Remember he was the backup in Oakland when h..."Remember he was the backup in Oakland when he came here. Those folks are pretty savvy."<br /><br />Suzuki had fallen out of favor in Oakland, but that was because he wasn't hitting well, not because he was deficient behind the plate. It was Billy Beane who gave him the big contract that includes the vesting option for 2014 that he's playing for right now. That's not a backup catcher deal.The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13147290573966561009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5160998042315045012013-04-25T15:29:08.310-04:002013-04-25T15:29:08.310-04:00Rich P aka Feelwood. Yes, you told us so about Rya...Rich P aka Feelwood. Yes, you told us so about Ryan Zimmerman.Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-43510917131010579312013-04-25T15:27:04.255-04:002013-04-25T15:27:04.255-04:00"Sec. 3, My House by the side of the road Sof..."Sec. 3, My House by the side of the road Sofa said...<br /><br /> <i>I must join you in the opinion that there are too many posters intent on proving that they are smarter, more connected and more intuitive than everyone else including the manager and the GM and it really is quite childish and irritating.</i><br /><br /> I don't think it's that many--two or three, tops."<br /><br />Let's see, there's Ghost of Steve M., peric, Theophilus, Manassas Nats Fan, JayB, Laddie Blah Blah, and that's just off the top of my head. There are others. A lot more than two or three.The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13147290573966561009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-82639991431036648372013-04-25T15:26:32.099-04:002013-04-25T15:26:32.099-04:00Since the line-up for today isn't here yet, th...Since the line-up for today isn't here yet, this is what I would do (and why I'm not a manager)<br /><br />1-Span CF<br />2-Lombo 2B (Rendon when zim is back)<br />3-Harper LF<br />4-Desmond SS (Zimm when back)<br />5-ALR 1B<br />6-Werth RF (Desmond when Zim is back)<br />7-Rendon 3B (Werth when Zim is back)<br />8-C<br />9-PKirbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09446281250617359278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-34264658011121995372013-04-25T15:25:38.269-04:002013-04-25T15:25:38.269-04:00There is certainly the time to play for crooked nu...There is certainly the time to play for crooked numbers and a time to play for add-on runs.<br /><br />Davey needs runs now any way he can get them but the swinging from the heals and catching air reminds me of the me, me, me, hero approach of a guy trying to win the game with one swing where a double with a man on 2nd is better than a solo HR. Rallies start with those doubles. Just look at the 1st inning yesterday.<br /><br />The double is very under-rated which is why a gap hitter like Rendon is right for this team if he can get something going.Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-85237631374762597252013-04-25T15:20:26.765-04:002013-04-25T15:20:26.765-04:00NL @ 2:47, you've pithily captured the consequ...NL @ 2:47, you've pithily captured the consequences of poor offensive distribution.<br /><br />That's part of what I was trying to get at in a somewhat incoherent (Smartphone autocorrect-muddled) post this morning. Rather than try to peck away and play small ball if necessary, as you said, they're mostly trying to win the game all in one swing or pitch -- which I analogized to actors who come out of their roles on stage to visualize how they're doing. <br /><br />Of course, the offensive drought has been so bad that small ball efforts have more often than not fallen short anyway -- think of Desi's bunt single yesterday followed by his almost-picked-off steal of second, where he got stranded anyway. But just because you can't always succeed at that where you have to try is no reason to give up entirely (not suggesting he is, though it took a bunch of win-the-game-instantly swinging from his heels before he got to that small ball effort).Steady Eddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11342496530868597550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66686959184181379212013-04-25T15:11:06.124-04:002013-04-25T15:11:06.124-04:00Theo,
'This, of course, why he's pitched ...Theo,<br /><br />'This, of course, why he's pitched three crappy games this season. Stop making excuses for these guys. Find your fantasy somewhere else instead of making it up.'<br /><br />And of course you have never had 3 instances of where you've done something below your lofty standards. <br /><br />The fact that he pitched at near Cy Young level all last year is lost on your sarcastic brain.<br /><br />The fact that he won 15 and 16 games the previous 2 years on a mediocre team is also irrelevant to you.<br /><br />Yeah, let's just concentrate on 3 crappy games this year. Good thing you are not in a decision making position. <br /><br />JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464376699196421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-45328869449841635092013-04-25T15:08:59.189-04:002013-04-25T15:08:59.189-04:00On baseball smarts, you have 30 GMs and 30 team Pr...On baseball smarts, you have 30 GMs and 30 team Presidents and 100's of scouts and still there are several teams every year that lose 90+ games.<br /><br />It just goes to show you a lot of smart people can't find a way to win more then they lose.Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-4590625473497242262013-04-25T15:06:15.188-04:002013-04-25T15:06:15.188-04:00baseballswami said...
Nothing against Suzuki pers...<i>baseballswami said... <br />Nothing against Suzuki personally, the pacing just seems better with Ramos. The guys seem to get in a better rhythm, less going through signs. Ramos seems to frame better. When the same pitchers are more effective with one of them, it's got to be a factor. I know it was a small sample size, but it was dramatic with Ramos.Game 1, Stras mentioned that Ramos doesn't complicate or over think. Also read how much homework Suzuki brings into the game. Not wrong, but maybe not simple enough for this rotation. Remember he was the backup in Oakland when he came here. Those folks are pretty savvy. <br /><br />April 25, 2013 2:32 PM </i><br /><br />I agree with everything you said. Strasburg agrees with everything you said. Ramos has caught Strasburg once this season and it was Opening Day and it was efficient and resulted in a W. All the other starts have been awkward in rhythm but I do believe Solano was well prepared and that drop to start the game through everything out of whack.<br /><br />Suzuki has many strengths but he loses it on the interpretation of what his pitcher wants and when you communicate by sign language you better have memorized the script before you stepped on to the stage. <br /><br />Catchers have to remember that when they are working with an Ace, it is the pitcher as the King and the catcher is there to serve the King like a trusted advisor and at the end of the day the King may cut your head off.<br /><br />Suzuki has to remember that and be willing to adapt. I think he made strides with JZim but I don't think you keep forcing Suzuki on Strasburg. Ramos was schooled by Pudge and understands the prep work for Stras.<br /><br />But every time you mention anything remotely negative about Suzuki, it seems to create a lot of anger here.<br /><br />Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59589269732688186972013-04-25T15:02:14.734-04:002013-04-25T15:02:14.734-04:00The beauty of baseball. Field of Dreams is my pref...The beauty of baseball. Field of Dreams is my preference. DWShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08270249819187041350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-74779906724114970952013-04-25T14:47:54.724-04:002013-04-25T14:47:54.724-04:00Eddie, not coming back against early deficits and ...Eddie, not coming back against early deficits and not adding on runs are two things that bother me a lot.<br /><br />(1) I don't like the sinking feeling that an early 2 or 3 run deficit is insurmountable. It isn't.<br /><br />Just peck away, play small ball if you have to, get the runs back, get to the middle reliever.<br /><br />(2) I don't like the assumption that you can coast with a 5-run lead and turn it on in the later innings if you need to. You can't. <br /><br />The other team will be pecking away, and if it gets close, remember their best relievers are their closer and setup guy (not necessarily in that order). Start with a 5-run lead, let it slip to 5-4 and you are back to pressure on your relievers to be perfect.NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-80746681720996841102013-04-25T14:42:32.658-04:002013-04-25T14:42:32.658-04:00I do enjoy the reminiscences from those baseball c...<i>I do enjoy the reminiscences from those baseball card folks. (I like the front side best, myself.) :-)</i><br /><br />I don't mind the reminiscences, myself; I do it myself, just not for DC. It's the juxtaposition of that with the extreme versions of What Has [pick a player] Done Lately? that leaves me shaking my head.Holden Baroquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05941566402992955387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-84848212828816758372013-04-25T14:40:05.431-04:002013-04-25T14:40:05.431-04:001a -- indeed, what a long, strange trip it's b...1a -- indeed, what a long, strange trip it's been.<br /><br />NL, JD, 222 -- thank you for setting the tone on a thread for grownups. Indeed, apart from hitting, they have been picking up the rest of their game in the past couple of days. <br /><br />NL -- while I mostly agree with and appreciate the good perspective your stats on hitting this April and last provide, in some respects our hitting this year has been worse on average from the standpoint of distribution. <br /><br />We rarely busted out last April, but did distribute our offense more evenly across the games, which was effective to win so many one-run games because our pitching was so lights-out. This year, we've won some blowouts (6-1, 7-4, 10-3, 6-1) and some relative slugfests, by April standards (7-6, 8-7, 7-6) -- and had our bats go stone cold dead in 9 of our 11 losses (4 shut outs, 2 losses scoring 1 run, 3 losses scoring 2 runs). Feast or famine on the offensive side, and all but one of the feasts (the 8-7 win against the Reds) against mediocre to bad teams. And we've been almost entirely unable to come back from early deficits, unlike last year.<br /><br />So in that sense, our offense has been worse than it seems (of course, it did help last year that our schedule was easier in April, but taking 3/4 from the Reds in our first home series was almost entirely dependent on lights-out pitching).<br /><br />All the more urgent to get it in gear, especially against the tough teams we're facing for most of the next month. Steady Eddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11342496530868597550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-32268215994167767042013-04-25T14:37:46.469-04:002013-04-25T14:37:46.469-04:00Thanks, 222, but I have to credit Eric with gettin...Thanks, 222, but I have to credit Eric with getting the ball rolling a few threads ago. Now, if only a player would pick up on the idea. :-)<br /><br />Good point by Mark on the DVR bracketing.<br /><br />Section 222 said... <br /><br />Three cheers for Grateful Dead references 1a and Traveler. What a long strange trip it's been, gonna miss me when I'm gone! natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30873431106333193402013-04-25T14:37:09.123-04:002013-04-25T14:37:09.123-04:00That video is cool and all, but I'm worried th...<i>That video is cool and all, but I'm worried that some Insiders might look at it tonight and think they had one too many adult beverages.</i><br /><br />That's not mutually exclusive. Just saying.<br /><br />And I thought DWS was making a Bull Durham allusion, too. But I can easily see how one might miss that, in here.Holden Baroquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05941566402992955387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36335739989254132632013-04-25T14:35:45.434-04:002013-04-25T14:35:45.434-04:00The Caps may be playing after the Nats have run th...The Caps may be playing after the Nats have run themselves out of contention and everyone has lost interest in Beltway Baseball.Theophilus T. S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16532693473198519382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-7548776400360551012013-04-25T14:33:56.290-04:002013-04-25T14:33:56.290-04:00Dang. updating NIDO ...Dang. <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArHMZg5A8wSXdGViSG8xUGQxUlZzaUVxekJFNHFRcEE#gid=0" rel="nofollow">updating NIDO ...</a>Holden Baroquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05941566402992955387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-67891925812945041572013-04-25T14:33:54.217-04:002013-04-25T14:33:54.217-04:00"Gio is usually very good at limiting the dam..."Gio is usually very good at limiting the damage. He often gets himself in a mess with walks but you rarely see him give up the 3 run homer. He is a fighter."<br /><br /> This, of course, why he's pitched three crappy games this season. Stop making excuses for these guys. Find your fantasy somewhere else instead of making it up.Theophilus T. S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16532693473198519382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-42564290974115708722013-04-25T14:32:54.415-04:002013-04-25T14:32:54.415-04:00Nothing against Suzuki personally, the pacing just...Nothing against Suzuki personally, the pacing just seems better with Ramos. The guys seem to get in a better rhythm, less going through signs. Ramos seems to frame better. When the same pitchers are more effective with one of them, it's got to be a factor. I know it was a small sample size, but it was dramatic with Ramos.Game 1, Stras mentioned that Ramos doesn't complicate or over think. Also read how much homework Suzuki brings into the game. Not wrong, but maybe not simple enough for this rotation. Remember he was the backup in Oakland when he came here. Those folks are pretty savvy.baseballswamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473384422940931212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36722693319451458662013-04-25T14:32:47.476-04:002013-04-25T14:32:47.476-04:00Oops, meant to paste the 2:28 comment from DWS the...Oops, meant to paste the 2:28 comment from DWS there in re. Bull Durham.<br /><br />That video is cool and all, but I'm worried that some Insiders might look at it tonight and think they had one too many adult beverages.natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-24658675297668385552013-04-25T14:32:14.545-04:002013-04-25T14:32:14.545-04:00Section 222 said...
Figured this might be a good ...<i>Section 222 said...<br /><br />Figured this might be a good place to pass on a comment to Mark and the others at CSN. I've yet to see a full episode of Beltway Baseball even though I've set my DVR to record at both 11 pm Thursday and 5 pm Friday. Every time, the show has come on late, or maybe not at all. Might I suggest that sticking to your advertised schedule might lead to higher viewership? And if it's going to be shown at other, predictable times, start to finish, maybe give us a heads up?</i><br /><br />I understand the frustration, believe me. The issue is that if the Caps are playing on Thursday night and the game runs longer than 2 1/2 hours, every other show on CSN that night gets bumped a few minutes. So The Baseball Show has come on the air at 11:10 p.m. a couple of times.<br /><br />We don't get a lot of advance notice, only an hour or so, but I try to post that on Twitter as soon as I know to give everyone a heads-up. Once Caps season is over, this won't be an issue anymore (though who knows how long their season will extend now?).<br /><br />My best advice: If you're DVRing the show, set it to add an extra 15-20 minutes at the tail end just in case. Wish I could offer a better solution than that, but it's the best I can for now.Mark Zuckermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-592225271326756132013-04-25T14:31:18.826-04:002013-04-25T14:31:18.826-04:00NL, I've seen that ad a bunch of times on MLB ...NL, I've seen that ad a bunch of times on MLB Network, and never could remember who it's for, so I paid attention last week -- it's Dick's Sporting Goods. Who'dve thought? And is it just me or do some of the chattering infielders sounds like MLB Net personalities like Kevin Millar and Harold Reynolds?<br /><br />Three cheers for Grateful Dead references 1a and Traveler. What a long strange trip it's been, gonna miss me when I'm gone!Section 222https://www.blogger.com/profile/17106128453333996193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-74231679903811357422013-04-25T14:30:34.910-04:002013-04-25T14:30:34.910-04:00I thought you were quoting "Bull Durham."...I thought you were quoting "Bull Durham." :-)<br /><br />Speaking of movies, and baseball, when I told my husband about Werth's feng shui comments, he opined that the hitters might need some help from Jobu.natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-43448339635296381842013-04-25T14:29:13.667-04:002013-04-25T14:29:13.667-04:00Bowdenball, do you mean this one?
This is brillia...Bowdenball, do you mean <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2013/4/25/4265286/five-yu-darvish-pitches-gif-texas-rangers">this one</a>?<br /><br />This is brilliant, btw. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.Holden Baroquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05941566402992955387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-51126704689034434982013-04-25T14:29:00.205-04:002013-04-25T14:29:00.205-04:00Here is the video. It's amazing.
Yu Darvish
...Here is the video. It's amazing.<br /><br /><a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/25/fan-freaking-tastic-all-of-yu-darvishs-pitches-at-once/" rel="nofollow">Yu Darvish</a><br /><br />http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/25/fan-freaking-tastic-all-of-yu-darvishs-pitches-at-once/NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.com