tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post2598817947794853172..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: One month downMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30898747422380137452011-05-02T19:06:03.189-04:002011-05-02T19:06:03.189-04:00greg, yah, no kidding. What is up with some of the...greg, yah, no kidding. What is up with some of these people. The crazy comments just keep on coming!Anonymous8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86539093370231476552011-05-02T17:59:17.872-04:002011-05-02T17:59:17.872-04:00sec 3: "Znn is not a prospect, he's an ei...sec 3: "Znn is not a prospect, he's an either an underachiever or a late bloomer, TBD, but not a prospect."<br /><br />hey, let's be fair. late bloomer? underachiever? he's only 24. it's not like he's 28 and has 150+ games under his belt. he's 24 with 29 starts.greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13848419973469239512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-35914124224271113612011-05-02T17:05:04.702-04:002011-05-02T17:05:04.702-04:00Wally wrote: "I don't think that wins and...Wally wrote: "I don't think that wins and losses can tell the whole story .... if Ramos, Espinoza and Desmond prove to be quality major league starters at their positions (or at least 2 of 3), JZimm pitches 150 innings to a <4.00 FIP and Detwiler or someone else like Maya or Meyers, throws 90 innings at <4.25 FIP, this will be a great season."<br /><br />Good point, Wally. If you're going for a pennant this year, wins are what's important. If you're rebuilding for future pennants, improvements/development in your core players are what's important.<br /><br />Knoxville Nat pointed out: "69 wins in 2010 represented a 10 game improvement over 2009 and the only team to show a larger one year improvement in 2010 was San Diego. Do you folks understand how hard it is to improve 11 or 12 games in any one season?"<br /><br />Right on KN. And this followed two 100-loss seasons, which followed MLB's leaving our farm system out to dry and die.<br /><br />And yet there are those who say that Rizzo and/or the Nats have made "no" improvement at all. Sheesh!A DC Wonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-7451948534123997992011-05-02T16:25:26.055-04:002011-05-02T16:25:26.055-04:00Knoxville Nat, don't you realize by now that J...Knoxville Nat, don't you realize by now that JayB is the King of Unrealism.Anonymous8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36854566910399938512011-05-02T16:21:38.438-04:002011-05-02T16:21:38.438-04:00<>Steve M. said...Can you imagine if the hit...<i> <>Steve M. said...Can you imagine if the hitting was anywhere close to 7th in the entire MLB? The pitch to contact philosophy is working which is why defense is huge in this scenario since these guys (except JZim) do not have swing & miss stuff.</i><br /><br />I agree. Have to start improving OBP by the batters and ultimately runs scored. LaRoche is the best 1st baseman I have seen below the Mendoza line. Hopefully some rest will help him as it seems to have helped Pudge.Anonymous8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-32719817119001476482011-05-02T16:20:50.390-04:002011-05-02T16:20:50.390-04:00Let me see if I have this right. JayB won't be...Let me see if I have this right. JayB won't be satisfied unless we hit .500 and Jim in MD will be disappointed at less than 80 wins. Mmmnnnn, that would mean a one year improvement of 11-12 games over last year's 69 win total. 69 wins in 2010 represented a 10 game improvement over 2009 and the only team to show a larger one year improvement in 2010 was San Diego.<br /><br />Do you folks understand how hard it is to improve 11 or 12 games in any one season? Very unlikely if not darn near impossible! Yes this team has shown improvement in many aspects over previous Nationals clubs but guess what, for the most part so have the other teams in the NL East. And don't forget we will be competing against these improved teams without RZ for nearly 2 months and Strasberg for almost a full season. Not exactly as if we are playing with a loaded deck here.<br /><br />I fear that people like JayB and Jim in MD have established unrealisitic expectations for the Nationals THIS season and that in doing so they set themselves up for major disappointment. 75 -77 wins this year would seem more attainable and more realisitic in my view.Knoxville Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-64630151529126892822011-05-02T15:39:40.806-04:002011-05-02T15:39:40.806-04:00Anything less than 80 wins would be a little disap...Anything less than 80 wins would be a little disappointing for me. The defense is miles ahead of last year and the pitching has been nothing short of fantastic. However, unless the hitters awaken from their spring slumber, the pitching staff will need to hold opponents under three runs per game in order to have a chance to win. Can this staff hold up under that kind of pressure for an entire season?Jim in MDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-83409354113797020372011-05-02T15:38:13.929-04:002011-05-02T15:38:13.929-04:00Interesting lineup tonight:
Today’s lineup
By Was...Interesting lineup tonight:<br /><br />Today’s lineup<br />By Washington Post editors<br /><br />Michael Morse is playing first base tonight, replacing Adam LaRoche.<br /><br />Nationals<br /><br />1. Espinosa, 2B<br /><br />2. Ankiel, CF<br /><br />3. Werth, RF<br /><br />4. Ramos, C<br /><br />5. Desmond, SS<br /><br />6. Morse, 1B<br /><br />7. Hairston, LF<br /><br />8. Bixler, 3B<br /><br />9. Gorzelanny, SP.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-62107849639597318122011-05-02T15:34:03.808-04:002011-05-02T15:34:03.808-04:00Tim said...
The same for LaRoche, but we already...Tim said... <br /><br />The same for LaRoche, but we already know that. But LaRoche's hitting is suffering, too, from his shoulder injury. He's just not telling anyone.<br /><br />Hindsight is always 20-20. A little clarvoyants would be prudent here. The Nationals should shut down LaRoche, get him to surgery and call up Moreno...<br /><br /><br />UNTERPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-57930064662430737662011-05-02T15:27:18.635-04:002011-05-02T15:27:18.635-04:00The 78-84 mark is still optimistic. We have - in g...The 78-84 mark is still optimistic. We have - in general - young pitching. The rule is: youngsters = inconsistency.<br /><br />However, on the flip side, the hitting will improve. It HAS to (doesn't it?)<br /><br />This will be a tough year for Zim. I'll bet he isn't entirely healthy all year long, and his numbers will show it. The same for LaRoche, but we already know that. But LaRoche's hitting is suffering, too, from his shoulder injury. He's just not telling anyone.<br /><br />78-84 would be nice, but considering how frustrating it's been so far, I'm not sure I can live through it. ;-)Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01179264557056912312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-70270791412072554882011-05-02T15:24:02.255-04:002011-05-02T15:24:02.255-04:00Jim Webster said...
What's with Nats not ...Jim Webster said...<br /><br /> What's with Nats not announcing probable pitchers (as of 3pm today) after tonight? Phillies have theirs up. Anything to be read into it?<br /><br /><br />Nats lately have been late posting future SP for their next series, so don't read much into it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-48773562185068913012011-05-02T15:19:22.406-04:002011-05-02T15:19:22.406-04:00DC Wonk, amazing how effective Pudge is when you d...DC Wonk, amazing how effective Pudge is when you dont overuse him. Someone wrote yesterday that Catcher is the only position along with starting pitching to be a bright spots.<br /><br />Also commend SteveM on explaining FIT training as I have done some reading on it this afternoon. I know from last year what a big Zimmerman supporter you are.Mark'dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-35557480689666143572011-05-02T15:17:22.417-04:002011-05-02T15:17:22.417-04:00Speaking of stats, it looks like LaRoche(.189) is ...Speaking of stats, it looks like LaRoche(.189) is winning the battle of the Mendoza Line with Dunn(.155)--just barely!Dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17614998804163989623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-87630423138842191772011-05-02T15:16:41.711-04:002011-05-02T15:16:41.711-04:00Anonymous said...
Jim Webster said...
Oh, th...Anonymous said...<br /><br /> Jim Webster said...<br /><br />Oh, the Phillies, my bad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-24959413907910192642011-05-02T15:16:20.081-04:002011-05-02T15:16:20.081-04:00One last thought about the season. I don't th...One last thought about the season. I don't think that wins and losses can tell the whole story, since we are (unfortunately) still building for that future team. But if Ramos, Espinoza and Desmond prove to be quality major league starters at their positions (or at least 2 of 3), JZimm pitches 150 innings to a <4.00 FIP and Detwiler or someone else like Maya or Meyers, throws 90 innings at <4.25 FIP, this will be a great season.Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-63115859243895554742011-05-02T15:15:14.198-04:002011-05-02T15:15:14.198-04:00Jim Webster said...
Gorzelanny: http://washington...Jim Webster said...<br /><br />Gorzelanny: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=was<br /><br />Been up since last night.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-28488320423582919892011-05-02T15:09:20.422-04:002011-05-02T15:09:20.422-04:00What's with Nats not announcing probable pitch...What's with Nats not announcing probable pitchers (as of 3pm today) after tonight? Phillies have theirs up. Anything to be read into it?Jim Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03118806861264253607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86426401115083917852011-05-02T15:03:53.539-04:002011-05-02T15:03:53.539-04:00Rizzo's Baseball Formula:
Pitching to contac...Rizzo's Baseball Formula: <br />Pitching to contact + low home run rate + low walk rate + good fielding = Good Chance to Keep Team in Game<br /><br />Pitchers are REALLY keeping walk rates and HR rates down.<br /><br />This is enabling some successful small ball (particularly on defense), which is augmented by superb catching (2nd lowest steals allowed in MLB).<br /><br />On offense, as mentioned there has been some good small ball (bunting, 1st-3rd running), aggressive moves and less outright boneheadedness. <br /><br />Rizzo let Dunn walk because he prefers contact over K's, and doesn't see the HR as the answer to run production. But this lineup hasn't lived up to Rizzos Game Theory (NB Dunn is also under .200 in Chicago...).<br /><br />I think the good pitching may continue but I wonder about the hitting and think cold bats will make over 75 wins difficult. Pass the Kool Aid.Nattydreadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-33901671640810300642011-05-02T15:03:06.020-04:002011-05-02T15:03:06.020-04:00Also, did we mention about the missiles that he th...Also, did we mention about the missiles that he threw? Oh, never mind, he already covered that himself. ;-)<br /><br />"Pssst, pass it on: a note to Pudge-bashers."natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-3945479157737094452011-05-02T15:01:04.219-04:002011-05-02T15:01:04.219-04:00I don't do predictions, so I'll not weigh ...I don't do predictions, so I'll not weigh in as far as how the team will finish or how various team components may perform. <br /><br />So far (knock wood) the team has done better than might have been expected without the Z-man, and without a lot of offense from anyone, really. Here's hoping that the offense steps it up, that pitching holds on, and that (some) defense stays on track and other defense *gets* on track [cough].natsfan1anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-63637391253108201112011-05-02T15:00:08.378-04:002011-05-02T15:00:08.378-04:00Pssst, pass it on: a note to Pudge-bashers.
Don&#...Pssst, pass it on: a note to Pudge-bashers.<br /><br />Don't look now, but his BA and SA is higher than LaRoche (and Morse). And he is second on the team (tied with LaRoche) in RBI's despite playing in approx half the games that LaRoche has.A DC Wonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46062440328120605332011-05-02T14:53:07.589-04:002011-05-02T14:53:07.589-04:00Wally noted: "Its defense which is the most d...Wally noted: "Its defense which is the most disturbing trend."<br /><br />I wonder what the UZR was last year after the first month of the season? Or, if I understand UZR correctly -- if we're 1/6th through the season, just multiply the current UZR by six and compare to last season.<br /><br />Can anyone help here?A DC Wonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-68562537248664365202011-05-02T14:43:08.313-04:002011-05-02T14:43:08.313-04:00I'm takin' 78 Ws and running like a thief....I'm takin' 78 Ws and running like a thief. When the season started I was thinking anything north of 70 Ws would look good. But a team with 78 Ws would be "competitive" all year and fun for fans -- as a down payment on future playoff contention. The starting pitching has been great, a real surprise to me at least. Maybe Rizzo knew it all along. And Clipper, Burnett and Storen are excelling and some of the others in the pen have held their own. Werth, Ramos, Pudge, Nix, Desmond and Espinosa sometimes have been interesting hitters to watch. My darker angels whisper about the leadoff spot -- ugh! That's been ugly. I hoping that switch hitting Danny E. grows into it. Fingers are tightly crossed.Richardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-55678123619324453872011-05-02T14:42:03.717-04:002011-05-02T14:42:03.717-04:00BTW; a month in if one is looking at the Nats obje...BTW; a month in if one is looking at the Nats objectively one must give Riggleman an A for his managing; yes he had a bad game on Saturday but to come out of April 1 game under .500 without Zim and with Werth and LaRoche shooting blanks and with no contribution at all from Morse and very little from Desmond is remarkable.JDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-12392138870270872472011-05-02T14:33:54.765-04:002011-05-02T14:33:54.765-04:00JD.... Yes. Solis is still in Viera. I'm going...JD.... Yes. Solis is still in Viera. I'm going over this week end and take a tally on who all is still there.<br /><br />I believe A.J. Cole is still there as well. I might even find Chien Ming Wang and Oliver Perez floating around.NatsJack in Floridanoreply@blogger.com