tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post2540649604096160045..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Harper sets stage, Desmond takes curtain callMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-73710029857498242472012-05-03T16:24:33.153-04:002012-05-03T16:24:33.153-04:00Last night was the first game in the majors I saw ...Last night was the first game in the majors I saw Harper in person. There seems to be a aura about him that transcends all the hype. He looks like he swings harder, runs harder and throws harder than the rest of the team.<br />Also saw him in Viera in his last game before they sent him down and he struck out four times, but he just looked like he was playing harder than everyone else.<br />Nothing is guaranteed but just like Strassie, he looks like he is a cut above everyone else.kgwhithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09507188642791289728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-79887148573530363362012-05-03T14:55:39.130-04:002012-05-03T14:55:39.130-04:00Thanks to Theophilus for the heads up on the WSJ ...Thanks to Theophilus for the heads up on the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304299304577347983378652366.html" rel="nofollow"> WSJ article.</a><br /><br />EJax has endeared himself to me as well, whatsa.natsfan1ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14540238101124316529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47499539750669522852012-05-03T13:55:32.997-04:002012-05-03T13:55:32.997-04:00I have a different perception of EJax than the maj...I have a different perception of EJax than the majority of the expressed oppinions here. I think he is performing as a middle of the rotation guy (3-4). We have a strong rotation and he is our fifth best, but he would be a number 2 in some Major league rotations. Remember, Lannan was our number 1 and now he's our number 6. <br /><br />EJax has endeared himself in a number of ways - including a workman like start last night. And btw did anyone notice that after Harper got picked off EJax nailed the very next Dback runner. I do not think that was coincidence. That was an 'I got your back' move by EJax.whatsanattauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00850503917079519599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-76100034469816841602012-05-03T13:22:53.721-04:002012-05-03T13:22:53.721-04:00HROD
Stammen
Clippard
Burnett
Wang returns -...HROD<br />Stammen<br />Clippard<br />Burnett<br /><br />Wang returns ---> Perry to minors<br />Storen returns ---> Matheus to minors<br />Lidge returns ---> Gorz & Lannan traded<br />Kimball to minorsjeffwxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288372249160479254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-23901157408169540432012-05-03T13:00:40.864-04:002012-05-03T13:00:40.864-04:00Soul Possession, My PFB Hitterish Sofa said...
Ma...<i>Soul Possession, My PFB Hitterish Sofa said... <br />Maybe if he's bunting for the hit. One run was not going to beat AZ. <br /><br />May 03, 2012 12:51 PM </i><br /><br />That's the next thought on DBacks scoring runs. EJax with another #5 looking start.<br /><br />EJax so far is the weakest of the 5 starters. The tough decision for Rizzo is approaching as Wang is readying.Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-32258758849541640842012-05-03T12:55:22.119-04:002012-05-03T12:55:22.119-04:00Thanks for the feedback. I keep thinking 1-0 coul...Thanks for the feedback. I keep thinking 1-0 could win this game as I'm watching the game unfold. <br /><br />Notice I phrased it as Lombo wasn't bunting since he may have received the bunt signal and missed it and hit away. Again, the Diamondbacks played him for the bunt.<br /><br />I am such a small ball thinking with this team. As we know Stras, Gio and JZim will win 1-0 games. Sure is nice to put up 5 runs in a game!Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5054590855016693712012-05-03T12:51:22.504-04:002012-05-03T12:51:22.504-04:00Maybe if he's bunting for the hit. One run was...Maybe if he's bunting for the hit. One run was not going to beat AZ.Holden Baroquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05941566402992955387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-62054538857721941602012-05-03T12:39:49.295-04:002012-05-03T12:39:49.295-04:00"Not sure if this was discussed, disappointed..."Not sure if this was discussed, disappointed in the 1st inning with Desi's leadoff double that Lombo wasn't bunting.<br /><br />Thoughts?"<br /><br />Davey's on record as not being a small ball guy. Bunting with a non-pitcher to start off the first inning is the ultimate small ball move. Riggleman would have loved it, but he's playing checkers elsewhere while Davey plays chess here.The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13147290573966561009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-58348848921912443102012-05-03T12:24:14.012-04:002012-05-03T12:24:14.012-04:00Agree w/ NatsLady re not bunting in 1st. At that ...Agree w/ NatsLady re not bunting in 1st. At that point there's about a 75 percent chance a base hit will score the runner anyway. At third with one out, I don't think the odds improve.<br /><br />I think Storen and Lidge are both out for another month. So the only immediate departure is Perry. Then Mattheus, as (A) Stammen has been better and more valuable, (B) the BP is full of "short" guys (Clippard, Burnett, HRod, and whichever among Lidge, Storen comes back first). If Detwiler ends up back in the BP -- I don't see Wang ending up there -- then Gorzellany may be the guy heading out -- too many LHs. If Jackson gets sent to the pen -- which wouldn't bother me at all -- then Stammen is at risk of going down. <br /><br />There are a multitude of considerations. Come August-September, Gorzellany would be valuable to have if Detwiler were moved back into the rotation to replace Strasburg. There is no one comparable in the minor leagues (don't bother me w/ talk about Severino, who's never going to be a major league pitcher as far as I can tell).Theophilus T. S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16532693473198519382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-31013050471832411112012-05-03T12:10:23.686-04:002012-05-03T12:10:23.686-04:00bunt in 1st inning? if the manager does that he&#...bunt in 1st inning? if the manager does that he's telling his players I DON'T THINK WE CAN SCORE..the manager wants to instill confidence in his players..not suck it outScott from Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15896262430069106697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-27753072260444122582012-05-03T12:05:18.121-04:002012-05-03T12:05:18.121-04:00Ghost, even with our offense I don't think you...Ghost, even with our offense I don't think you play for one run in the first inning. I believe I posted before but even with men on 1st and 2nd and no out, a bunt that advances them to 2nd and 3rd with one out only increases your scoring probability by about 1%. Not sure that is enough edge to take the bat out of the hands of a good hitter. Now, if it were Nady...NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-16664667627026943372012-05-03T12:01:30.634-04:002012-05-03T12:01:30.634-04:00Not sure if this was discussed, disappointed in th...Not sure if this was discussed, disappointed in the 1st inning with Desi's leadoff double that Lombo wasn't bunting.<br /><br />Thoughts?Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-27159146433794652812012-05-03T11:57:11.329-04:002012-05-03T11:57:11.329-04:00"If Rendon was not injured, Espinoza would be..."If Rendon was not injured, Espinoza would be long gone via trade. The problem is that we are stuck with him and his value will keep going down."<br /><br />Unlikely that Espinosa is going anywhere. He's continuing to have problems as a left handed hitter, but he's part of the middle infield that the Nats want. Both he and Desmond are athletic, with great range, sure hands and strong arms. Espinosa's numbers from the right side of the plate are more than good enough, so it seems far more likely that they'll end the switch-hitting experiment than trade him.TheManBearPighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00207029639947047475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-5706183673168918242012-05-03T11:53:55.491-04:002012-05-03T11:53:55.491-04:00Agreed on facing Kennedy tonight. Tough pitcher. ...Agreed on facing Kennedy tonight. Tough pitcher. Tough Righthander. So secret note to Davey: Might be a good night to let Tracy start at 3B and play Lombo at second. You can bring Espi in for defense if we get ahead.whatsanattauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00850503917079519599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-49894068747912358332012-05-03T11:49:22.950-04:002012-05-03T11:49:22.950-04:00We have four pitchers on the DL, Wang, Lidge, Stor...We have four pitchers on the DL, Wang, Lidge, Storen and Kimball. I think that's the order of their projected return (if Kimball comes back at all this year). <br /><br />So Perry goes back first (that's why Rizzo got him, because he has the option). That's what, 2-3 weeks from now? I wouldn't go beyond that because you don't know who else will get injured/tired/ineffective in either the rotation or the bullpen and it's pure speculation.NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47518711407323475832012-05-03T11:47:19.084-04:002012-05-03T11:47:19.084-04:00Love that story about Desmond passing on Frank'...Love that story about Desmond passing on Frank's wisdom! Great reporting, Mark! We so often see quotes like "I was just waiting for one up in the zone" but combined with the info that Ian had been watching the reliever's warm-up pitches, it reveals so much more. Thanks!SBrenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761084455535537766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-70102802321211362392012-05-03T11:44:26.456-04:002012-05-03T11:44:26.456-04:00I think that Perry will be the first sent down, an...I think that Perry will be the first sent down, and that probably won't happen until Wang is up. I also remember Davey talking about one fewer pitcher and mentioning Stammen by name but that was quite some time ago and I think he has the right to change his mind based on performance. <br /><br />Not much mention, but we are facing one of the very best pitchers in baseball tonight and this will be every bit as tough as Kershaw, Cain, etc.<br />If we can pull this game out, that is 7 out of 8 series won and would be huge with the Phillies coming in.<br /><br /><br />Go Nats!!sjm308https://www.blogger.com/profile/01236550495879254916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-69864197689406947342012-05-03T11:40:28.924-04:002012-05-03T11:40:28.924-04:00Let's not get carried away about Stammen. He h...Let's not get carried away about Stammen. He has unquestionably been effective. But he's a long-relief/spot starter guy. He has an option left. If everything else stays the same and Wang rejoins the starting rotation in 2 weeks, either Stammen is getting sent down or Gorzelanny is getting DFA'd.<br /><br />It is possible that Stammen has done enough for the Nats to risk losing Gorzy, or that Davey wants a left-right combo in his long relievers. But the easiest move is to send Stammen down. And I don't think it would be a significant blow to the bullpen, given that Detwiler would be the replacement.jcj5yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02604697287644017182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-37077729171405915192012-05-03T11:30:41.513-04:002012-05-03T11:30:41.513-04:00Section 222 -- I've emailed you at that addres...Section 222 -- I've emailed you at that address. You might want to delete your address from that post before too long, once you get your tickets disposed of, so you don't get deluged with spam and worse.Steady Eddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11342496530868597550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-87582615175488920722012-05-03T11:30:04.386-04:002012-05-03T11:30:04.386-04:00Theo, will do--although if they want to "fool...Theo, will do--although if they want to "fool" me by wearing Nats gear, that's OK!! :) :) :)<br /><br />I miscalculated because I bought so far in advance. My girlfriend took in a foster kid so I needed an extra ticket Friday, and had surplus on Saturday...NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-11170200284749323252012-05-03T11:29:48.162-04:002012-05-03T11:29:48.162-04:00Section 222-
I would send everyone but Clippard a...Section 222-<br /><br />I would send everyone but Clippard and HRod before Stammen. He's been that good. I have a feeling Davey would agree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-27955252876313180722012-05-03T11:23:42.469-04:002012-05-03T11:23:42.469-04:00I think Stammen has probably earned a permanent sp...I think Stammen has probably earned a permanent spot in the BP with his performance,in addition to the fact that he's able to pitch more than one inning. Davey makes good use of his long men. Lidge may be given awhile more to heal. And I would send down Mattheus before Stammen. Wouldn't you?Section 222https://www.blogger.com/profile/17106128453333996193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-22375224121653572282012-05-03T11:22:37.931-04:002012-05-03T11:22:37.931-04:00I also think it's important to acknowledge Hen...<i>I also think it's important to acknowledge Henry's WPs,</i><br /><br />True -- but three of his four were in one inning/one outing. That's why I was looking more generally at the stat of: 9 of his 11 appearances were very successful.A DC Wonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09732615221598098540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-82895200063689220442012-05-03T11:10:53.311-04:002012-05-03T11:10:53.311-04:00Wonk/NJ -- I'm totally with you on HRod. He in...Wonk/NJ -- I'm totally with you on HRod. He inspires high blood pressure every time out, but I'm glad he's our guy. We've been spoiled with lights out closers and set up guys for the last few years. With Storen and Lidge out, we're very fortunate to have a functional bullpen at all, much less a pretty darn good one.<br /><br />Tcostant -- Thanks for the Verducci link. His memory is a little short since Strasburg's debut was much more highly anticipated. Still, it was a very enjoyable read and makes me feel great to be a Nats fan. <br /><br />Now for a shameless advertisement -- I'll be out of town this weekend and my ticket group is otherwise occupied. So I have 3 tickets for Friday and 2 for Saturday available. They're in Section 314, right behind the plate in the Infield Gallery. I'll part with them for $22 each, though the box office price for these premium games is $28. Contact me at Section314not222@gmail if you'd like one or more.Section 222https://www.blogger.com/profile/17106128453333996193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-42265995901689665122012-05-03T11:10:29.602-04:002012-05-03T11:10:29.602-04:00Wonk
So it doesn't sound like we disagree tha...Wonk<br /><br />So it doesn't sound like we disagree that much. <br /><br />I take your pt about WPA and high leverage situations, but remember, I began my first comment by saying the comparison of Stammen to HRod is apples to oranges given their different roles. <br /><br />I also think it's important to acknowledge Henry's WPs, which speak to his (lack of) control and can be deadly but don't show up in WHIP. He led MLB relievers last year, and does this year too (#2 this year-Colin Balester).hiramhoverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08496411226029547341noreply@blogger.com