tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post642219332819661576..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: State of the Nats-5/6Mark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-59693657378746987412013-05-06T18:34:08.819-04:002013-05-06T18:34:08.819-04:00Mule looks at Mix-and-Match lineups II:
In 2013, ...Mule looks at Mix-and-Match lineups II:<br /><br />In 2013, Nats have played a total of 20 games with their starting seven (LaRoche, Espinosa, Zimmerman, Desmond, Harper, Span, Werth) or one position player sub. Record is 10-10.<br /><br />In the remaining 12 games, there were 2 or more bench players in the starting lineup, record 7-5.<br /><br />Not statistically significant (p>0.22), but suggestive that a non-fluid starting lineup is not essential to Nats' success.<br /><br />All 5 games in may were with at least 2 bench ers as starters; we are 4-1 in May.Whack-a-Mulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001755518088848800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46951979535475100782013-05-06T15:11:24.986-04:002013-05-06T15:11:24.986-04:00There is some evidence to support the notion that ...<i>There is some evidence to support the notion that this team functions at a higher level with a less rigid lineup.</i><br /><br />Mule, I'd love to see that first-hand. Where did you see it?Holden Baroquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05941566402992955387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-21328299192452349842013-05-06T13:46:32.203-04:002013-05-06T13:46:32.203-04:00Peric,
impartial scouting reports such as these ...<br /> Peric,<br /><br /> impartial scouting reports such as these by Marc Hulet of Fangraphs say : Rosenbaum has fringy stuff but gets by with superior command and control with an above average curve ball and has the potential to slot in as a # 4 or #5'.<br /><br /> That's very nice and I wish him nothing but the best but it also sounds a lot like Milone (substitute change up for curve ball) and Lannan. Just because you say I am wrong doesn't make it so.<br /><br /> Span has a .346 OBP in the majors so comparing Kobernus to him puts this in the same category as suggesting a Moore + prospects for Stanton trade - laughable. JDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464376699196421043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-54056990130819958362013-05-06T13:43:09.492-04:002013-05-06T13:43:09.492-04:00"I can't remember where I read or heard i..."I can't remember where I read or heard it, but there is a rumor that Rizzo is shopping Espinosa, and not for the first time."<br /><br />Phil Wood and others have it the other way around. They say Rizzo has received offers for Espinosa from several other teams, and has turned them down every single time.Get Your Re(n)d Onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07415768708950183487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66040024130426496762013-05-06T13:32:08.843-04:002013-05-06T13:32:08.843-04:00Ghost Of Steve M. said...
SonnyG10, Danny had been...<i>Ghost Of Steve M. said...<br />SonnyG10, Danny had been in an overall slump as he had been batting poorly Rightie and Lefty. The benching really helped him both offensively and defensively.<br /><br />There would be no reason to consider doing a RH only unless his was a dire situation where his RH numbers were excellent and his LH numbers were under Mendoza with a mid-.500's OPS where he had just deteriorated from one side of the plate.<br />May 06, 2013 11:47 AM</i><br /><br />Yep, I agree Ghost.SonnyG10https://www.blogger.com/profile/06568010128457246433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-55693927779643076692013-05-06T13:32:05.367-04:002013-05-06T13:32:05.367-04:00According to Charlie and Dave on the mailbag yeste...According to Charlie and Dave on the mailbag yesterday, the plan for Rendon in Harrisburg is 4 days at third, 2 days at short and 1 day at second every week. That doesn't sound like a plan to slide him in in place of Espinosa any time soon.Get Your Re(n)d Onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07415768708950183487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-58571737026121679882013-05-06T13:24:41.200-04:002013-05-06T13:24:41.200-04:00"NatsJack, I'm resigned to the fact Danny..."NatsJack, I'm resigned to the fact Danny is here to stay. Even if he hits .200. Maybe if we are in it late in the year then Rendon gets called up to play 2B for a spark but Danny will be trotting out there day after day..."<br /><br />Don't be so sure. <br /><br />The Nats are playing Rendon at 2nd and at SS for a reason, and we can guess what it is, but we really don't know. One thing we know, for sure, is that they are not playing him at 2nd and SS to prepare him to play 3rd. <br /><br />I can't remember where I read or heard it, but there is a rumor that Rizzo is shopping Espinosa, and not for the first time. Rizzo is always looking to improve the team, and he is making sure there is a replacement at 2nd base (or SS) if he needs Rendon to fill one, or the other when, or if, the time comes, and the time always comes.Laddie Blah Blahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16474416524698003749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-80059309042391226042013-05-06T13:12:00.018-04:002013-05-06T13:12:00.018-04:00Mule looks at mix-and-match lineups:
There is som...Mule looks at mix-and-match lineups:<br /><br />There is some evidence to support the notion that this team functions at a higher level with a less rigid lineup. This season early on, when the only variable from day-to-day was the battery, players were tense/tight, seemly over-striving to meet pre-season expectations. As injuries (and ejections) re-make the starting lineup day-to-day, play actually has improved.<br /><br />This was the norm last season; one never knew from one game to the next who would be in the field. But the Nats thrived. To use 6 (repeat 6 !) different starting catchers in the course of a division-winning season was astonishing. Perhaps now each player is less independent, more inter-dependent.Seems to be working.<br />Whack-a-Mulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001755518088848800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-55859459086282896272013-05-06T13:08:15.525-04:002013-05-06T13:08:15.525-04:00"It takes years and years to get good enough ..."It takes years and years to get good enough at picking up pitches to hit at the major league level ."<br /><br />It has taken Espinosa years and years experience to hit below the Mendoza Line, and way below the Mendoza Line from the left side, this year. He is actually hitting worse, this year, than in any of his previous years. That's a fact. Maybe he should not have practiced as a switch hitter all these years. Seems to have been a total waste of time.<br /><br />He hasn't learned to hit from the left side, despite "years and years" trying "to get good enough at picking up pitches at a major league level," as it is.<br /><br />I think it was 1957 when I was watching a Yankee game when Mantle came to bat, right-handed, against a RH pitcher. It sounded like Mel Allen was going to have a stroke. Mantle went 2 for 4 (2 singles) and the NY dailies were full of speculation about Mantle going RH'ed, full time, the next day, especially since the experiment seemed to work. And all without "years and years" of working at it.<br /><br />There was a lot of chatter about it then because Mantle, like Espinosa is now, was much better from the right side than from the left.<br /><br />Mantle went back to switch hitting the next day. Probably had made a bet with one of his drinking buddies the night before. Casey was as surprised as anybody when he hit RH against a righty.<br /><br />He is not going to last in the ML hitting the way he is now. If he can't do any better, they need to platoon him to eliminate his LH bat from the lineup. Freddie does it in Atlanta, and Clint does it in Pittsburgh, and they are doing OK, last time I checked. I mean, really, what's the BFD?<br /><br />"The big adjustment would be the breaking balls. That's the problem going back to only hitting one way on your natural side is that you've never tested it out."<br /><br />They are getting the LH Danny out with breaking balls off the outside of the plate, 4-seamers, probably, or whatever pitch they have in their repertoire that will do that. Danny's HR yesterday was hit on a breaking ball, and, I believe, so was his sac fly to deep center. He hits breaking balls much better from the right side than from the left, probably because he is more selective from the right side. That HR was a breaker right over the heart of the plate.Laddie Blah Blahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16474416524698003749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-52606112075001142212013-05-06T13:05:58.984-04:002013-05-06T13:05:58.984-04:00Amanda Comak @acomak The most updated odds from ...Amanda Comak @acomak The most updated odds from Bovada have Bryce Harper at 11-2 to win NL MVP. J Zimmermann up to 5-1 to win NL Cy Young, Strasburg at 12-1.Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-52705102320844407932013-05-06T13:01:38.366-04:002013-05-06T13:01:38.366-04:00Rabbit34! I am so relieved to learn you are just...Rabbit34! I am so relieved to learn you are just a big kidder. When you first started with that "this team is horrible and will be lucky to finish above .500" stuff, I figured you were just misinformed and confused. But when you suggested the abomination of two waves...that cross(!)...I realized you are a playful scamp and apparently just like to pull the NI community's collective chain. 3on2outhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01403834315633093774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-73592501407021427782013-05-06T12:59:28.695-04:002013-05-06T12:59:28.695-04:00A Hail To The 'Nats song from the Senators of ...A Hail To The 'Nats song from the Senators of 1943.<br /><br />http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/05/06/hail-to-the-senators-and-hail-to-the-redskins/Ghost Of Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05745394350047225996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-10273384466984471612013-05-06T12:52:29.611-04:002013-05-06T12:52:29.611-04:00NatsLady, if you want *everything* to show up, I t...NatsLady, if you want *everything* to show up, I think the safest bet would be to only post once in between listings in the blogroll.<br /><br />If I have time later I'll see if Google has an API that would allow you to control it without having to limit how often you post.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678357994045101892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-52072449859590211952013-05-06T12:48:43.554-04:002013-05-06T12:48:43.554-04:00The view from outside.
Nats vs. TIgers and other ...The view from outside.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/22203500/3-to-watch-the-cbssportscom-world-series-edition" rel="nofollow">Nats vs. TIgers and other stuff</a><br /><br />http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/22203500/3-to-watch-the-cbssportscom-world-series-editionNatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-4434260052292352202013-05-06T12:43:39.423-04:002013-05-06T12:43:39.423-04:00Eric, sure. I could arrange my posts so they are ...Eric, sure. I could arrange my posts so they are several hours apart, or even one a day. NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-24790951881700566072013-05-06T12:34:33.921-04:002013-05-06T12:34:33.921-04:00Dominats Vobiscum said...
"Danny Espinosa h...Dominats Vobiscum said... <br /><br />"Danny Espinosa has been a switch hitter his entire life. Telling him he needs to start hitting right handed only makes about as much sense as telling Ryan Zimmerman to try throwing left handed because his right hand throws suck." <br /><br />Cute. Being a switch-hitter myself through High School I started swinging as a switch when I was 12. I can tell you that I'm a natural righty and would have no problem hitting fastballs or changeups if I stuck to only righty swings, I just don't know if I would be good at it but I also wasn't great hitting lefty. I also never saw a fastball much above 85 in High School. <br /><br />The big adjustment would be the breaking balls. That's the problem going back to only hitting one way on your natural side is that you've never tested it out. Once you decide to be a switch hitter it's usally because your father or coach told you how great it would be to do it and you did it because it was cool and was able to actually hit the ball. It takes a lot of reps to hit on the other side when learning to switch. Danny is one of the rare players who can actually do it in the Majors. <br /><br />It would probably benefit Danny to play in Mexico over the Winter and see how he does hitting only righty. <br /><br />I think one thing for certain is that Danny would improve even more as a righty against lefty pitchers just based on all the repetition.Nats 128https://www.blogger.com/profile/08432607182669878624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-30671315501626218132013-05-06T12:29:01.934-04:002013-05-06T12:29:01.934-04:00Danny Rosenbaum is a soft tossing lefty who if he ...<i>Danny Rosenbaum is a soft tossing lefty who if he graduates to the majors will top out as a John Lannan on whom you are not so high to say the least. How does that work?</i><br /><br />As none other than Luke Erickson likes to point out JD Rosenbaum's fast ball is consistently well over 90. He throws harder than Harren, Lannan, and Milone. So, you are already W-R-O-N-G.<br /><br />Kobernus has 13 stolen bases. Again, as Luke Erickson points out in any other league he would be the leader. However Hamilton is playing for his smart ball manager of the past season in Louisville. <br /><br />Kobernus specs out well as a bench bat. He needs to walk more to prove he is a top of the lineup guy. But yes he looks better than Lombo and Span in that role at this point.<br /><br />perichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669200119049715758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-34764497318417914552013-05-06T12:27:26.398-04:002013-05-06T12:27:26.398-04:00Danny Rosenbaum is a soft tossing lefty who if he ...<i>Danny Rosenbaum is a soft tossing lefty who if he graduates to the majors will top out as a John Lannan on whom you are not so high to say the least. How does that work?</i><br /><br />As none other than Luke Erickson likes to point out JD Rosenbaum's fast ball is consistently well over 90. He throws harder than Harren, Lannan, and Milone. So, you are already W-R-O-N-G.<br /><br />Kobernus has 13 stolen bases. Again, as Luke Erickson points out in any other league he would be the leader. However Hamilton is playing for his smart ball manager of the past season in Louisville. <br /><br />Kobernus specs out well as a bench bat. He needs to walk more to prove he is a top of the lineup guy. But yes he looks better than Lombo and Span in that role at this point.<br /><br />perichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669200119049715758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-82209817181115992282013-05-06T12:20:08.648-04:002013-05-06T12:20:08.648-04:00NatsLady I strongly suspect it will always be spor...NatsLady I strongly suspect it will always be sporadic. The question is whether or not you can control which posts are pulled when blogged. For instance, if you have posted two articles between two crawls, and such a flag would let you indicate that you want the first to show up and the second to be ignored. I'm not sure this exists, but it wouldn't surprise me. Would that be an improvement?Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678357994045101892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-40671630167413521712013-05-06T12:17:44.164-04:002013-05-06T12:17:44.164-04:00Thanks, Rabbit. Speaking of NI get-togethers, did...Thanks, Rabbit. Speaking of NI get-togethers, did that anthem ever go up on You Tube? I could have missed it, especially if it went up on a Wednesday or a Saturday (my busy days).<br /><br />NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-35888124920043428252013-05-06T12:16:04.673-04:002013-05-06T12:16:04.673-04:00After reading these posts for quite a while now, I...After reading these posts for quite a while now, I can see why a lot of you who go to the NI get-together have such a good time. You all don't just have fun with baseball, it's like a hobby to you. Actually, it is quite impressive and enjoyable to read. Fun to see the jostling and squabbles. I hope you all never "figure is out" in order to keep the fun going! As for me, I'm going to be the same old Rabbit34.Rabbit34https://www.blogger.com/profile/04896128216568377870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-36865187084917807092013-05-06T12:11:18.055-04:002013-05-06T12:11:18.055-04:00Thanks, Eric. I looked at all the settings, read ...Thanks, Eric. I looked at all the settings, read up on the publishing, and tried to set it up the right way, but it's still sporadic. On my "reading list" (where I subscribed to myself) I'm missing the Stats post, but have the Injury Daze post.NatsLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06814911056080758503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-86281221930351046652013-05-06T12:10:31.229-04:002013-05-06T12:10:31.229-04:00Re: Mark Belanger's bat -- I went to an Oriole...Re: Mark Belanger's bat -- I went to an Orioles game with a friend and the program had pictures of the Orioles' wives. My friend looked at the picture of Mrs. B and said, "Holy s___! It's no wonder he can't hit! It's a wonder he makes it to the ballpark!"Theophilus T. S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16532693473198519382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-38489684158876187512013-05-06T12:06:39.224-04:002013-05-06T12:06:39.224-04:00"puzzling, though."
It makes sense from..."puzzling, though."<br /><br />It makes sense from a programmatic standpoint, and it prevents the blog roll from being spammed by one source.<br /><br />I'll try to see if Google provides a way to flag blog posts for inclusion. They're typically pretty good about that sort of thing.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678357994045101892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-17612541889227370162013-05-06T12:01:23.776-04:002013-05-06T12:01:23.776-04:00Danny Espinosa has been a switch hitter his entire...Danny Espinosa has been a switch hitter his entire life. Telling him he needs to start hitting right handed only makes about as much sense as telling Ryan Zimmerman to try throwing left handed because his right hand throws suck.Get Your Re(n)d Onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07415768708950183487noreply@blogger.com