tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post7712465745408497858..comments2024-02-15T05:42:18.307-05:00Comments on Nats Insider: Henry's sheer dominanceMark Zuckermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525315258889435961noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-27753304645435798502011-10-04T17:24:36.607-04:002011-10-04T17:24:36.607-04:00testtestN. cognitonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-74073022403241081742011-09-26T16:51:30.551-04:002011-09-26T16:51:30.551-04:00Pitching, pitching, pitching is all very nice, but...Pitching, pitching, pitching is all very nice, but it helps to have some offense, too.<br /><br /><br /><i>IMO as long as they have Halliday, Lee and Hamels and as long as none of them shows any sign of aging they have to be the favorites.</i>The Giants rotationnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-47733410696688407272011-09-26T16:35:33.420-04:002011-09-26T16:35:33.420-04:00Anonymous said...
Here's a problem with t...<i>Anonymous said...<br /><br /> Here's a problem with the stats: When did he get all those walks and wild pitches? In other words, has he improved during recent outings</i><br /><br />That's a good question. And, frankly, he doesn't seem have have really improved much until, or mostly, the last month.<br /><br />July 13.1 IP, 12 H 10 K, 10 BB, 4 WP, 1.650 WHIP<br />Aug 15.1 IP, 15 H 18 K, 12 BB, 3 WP, 1.761 WHIP<br />Sep 11.1 IP, 7 H 14 K, 4 BB, 1 WP, 0.971 WHIP<br /><br />So, of course, the obvious question: is September a fluke month, or a sign of maturation and experience?A DC Wonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-42300265493117173532011-09-26T16:26:46.847-04:002011-09-26T16:26:46.847-04:00September Dreams of April said...
Good points...<i>September Dreams of April said...<br /><br /> Good points, jd. Injuries affect all teams, but they can particularly affect lineups in September. Playoff-bound teams in particular are more likely to rest guys with dings and aches. That certainly has been true with Philly. </i><br /><br />Right -- but not with Atlanta -- who is fighting like to close out their playoff spot.<br /><br />(Tangent: some may recall a little "contretemp" last week when I said that I was rooting for the Cards to beat the Mets, not because I wanted the Nats to finish in 3rd, but because I wanted the Braves games to be as meaningful as possible. This is exactly what I meant. Some may downplay the Nats wins over Phillie -- but they can't do that on our wins over the Braves).A DC Wonknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-49049788753254440582011-09-26T16:04:55.520-04:002011-09-26T16:04:55.520-04:00In my book, a better record, but still a 3rd place...In my book, a better record, but still a 3rd place finish, is the top of reasonable expectations for the Nats next year.N. Cognitonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-81979236333618093972011-09-26T15:49:53.042-04:002011-09-26T15:49:53.042-04:00The Phillies will still win 90. Adding Pence was g...The Phillies will still win 90. Adding Pence was genius. Atlanta's main<br /> parts of their rotation has health issues. Not sure if Heyward will rebound and Chipper returns.Mark'dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-24426104990006064752011-09-26T15:48:25.597-04:002011-09-26T15:48:25.597-04:00jd, that was basically the theme of Boswell's ...jd, that was basically the theme of Boswell's column--but he's feeling a little more optimistic for next year than that. Only a little, maybe, but he's enjoying it. And why not?Soul Possession, PFB Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891662837668214475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-22901558567616977242011-09-26T15:48:09.504-04:002011-09-26T15:48:09.504-04:00Good points, jd. Injuries affect all teams, but t...Good points, jd. Injuries affect all teams, but they can particularly affect lineups in September. Playoff-bound teams in particular are more likely to rest guys with dings and aches. That certainly has been true with Philly. <br /><br />The Nats success next year will depend a lot on who gets hurt. It will also depend on whether Morse, who had a career year this year, will be able to sustain it, and whether any of our oh-so-promising young arms will suffer from sophomore slump.September Dreams of Aprilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-10481286909106136852011-09-26T15:43:09.880-04:002011-09-26T15:43:09.880-04:00sec3,
IMO as long as they have Halliday, Lee and...sec3,<br /><br /> IMO as long as they have Halliday, Lee and Hamels and as long as none of them shows any sign of aging they have to be the favorites.<br /><br /> Coincidentally; it's not just Rollins. I see marked decline in Utley and Ibanez and Victorino, Howard, Ruiz, Polanco are all over 30.jdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-66303401499873160262011-09-26T15:39:51.024-04:002011-09-26T15:39:51.024-04:00I hate to sound a cautionary note with all the ent...I hate to sound a cautionary note with all the enthusiasm from everyone but keep in mind that September is not a representative month in evaluating teams and players and for all intents and purposes the Nats were roughly a 75 win team which is an excellent step forward but still short a ways from the promised land.jdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-56041030078372475742011-09-26T15:37:36.659-04:002011-09-26T15:37:36.659-04:00jd--even if they lose Rollins?jd--even if they lose Rollins?Soul Possession, PFB Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891662837668214475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-14660915872698328212011-09-26T15:35:48.579-04:002011-09-26T15:35:48.579-04:00Mark'd,
On the other hand Philly may start s...Mark'd,<br /><br /> On the other hand Philly may start showing it's age, they may lose Oswalt to FA and if one of the big 3 goes down there's some vulnerability there. Having said that they will certainly enter next season as prohibitive favorites.jdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-28832094977651650442011-09-26T15:33:08.228-04:002011-09-26T15:33:08.228-04:00Mark'd
Why do you think Atlanta is declining...Mark'd<br /><br /> Why do you think Atlanta is declining?<br /><br /> They will bring back: Hanson, Jurgens, Beechy, Minor, Tehran and Hudson as well as O'flaherty, Kimbrel and Venters. And Heyward is ure to bounce back.<br /><br /> If Fredi Gonzalez doesn't kill his young pitchers I don't see a decline. Why do you?jdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-7107708572309629372011-09-26T15:21:50.821-04:002011-09-26T15:21:50.821-04:00Steve McCatty has a more aggressive approach to go...Steve McCatty has a more aggressive approach to go after the batters. If Rizzo can get him another stud, this team moves ahead of Atlanta next year as I think Atlanta will decline.<br /><br />The time is here as a few pointed out the team can bring back around 20 of the 25 with very little machinations. It would be good to see some continuity.Mark'dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-31652932381380797052011-09-26T15:04:36.876-04:002011-09-26T15:04:36.876-04:00While I think the long run prospects for Henry may...While I think the long run prospects for Henry may still not be set, yesterday and his past few outings made it clear what the scouts saw in him. Hope the control stays there - if so, what a weapon.Traveler8noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-46690060219894105682011-09-26T15:04:26.790-04:002011-09-26T15:04:26.790-04:00stolen verbatim from boswell's chat today. ver...stolen verbatim from boswell's chat today. very valid point:<br /><br />==========<br /><br />HOWEVER, here is the big point about the Nats that was been missed all year: The Nats are EIGHTH out of 30 teams in MLB in team ERA! And it is not a fluke. In a couple of years, the Nats, under Rizzo, have gone from one of the most pathetic junk-balling staffs you'll ever see to 12-deep in power arms. Here's the proof.<br /><br />In '08, the Nats had TWO pitchers whose fastball averaged more than 92.0 m.p.h. __Hanarahan (95) and the wild man Colome (95). This year, they had a dozen.<br /><br />Henry Rodriguez 98, Strasburg 96, Storen 95, Balester 94, Mattheus 94, Severino 94, Kimabll 93, Zimmermann 93.4, Coffey 93, Peacock 93, Clippard 93, Detwiler 92.<br /><br />That's a complete transformation. Burnett and Wang are both 91. Stammen and Lannan 90. Marquis was 89, Milone 88 and Livo 84 (!!!).<br /><br />In '06, when the Lerners bought the team, only Gary Majeski threw more than 91.7. The best fastball among starters was Ramon Ortiz at 90.6. No wonder they looked pathetic. They were.<br /><br />On Sunday, Rodriguez (come on, just call him H-Rod) threw several pitches 101 and one Braves hitter GAVE UP. On an 0-2 pitch, he tried to BUNT! And fouled it off. An admission that "I can't touch this guy. A two-strike bunt is my only chance." Strasburg touches 99, Storen 98, Mattheus, Peacock and Detwiler have clicked 96. Z'mann sits at 93-94-95 in the early innings.<br /><br />This is an entirely different team because it has gone from one of the worst pitching staffs in recent decades to a top-10 staff __in a year without Strasburg__ through the top-to-bottom rebuilding of Rizzo and his scouts.<br /><br />Remember '05, the 81-81 team. Best fastball by a starter, John Patterson (91.1) and Chad Cordero, Fireman of the Year, was 89.4. It's w hole new world.greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13848419973469239512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-39710103534111476312011-09-26T15:00:58.064-04:002011-09-26T15:00:58.064-04:00Speaking of diti veni, aren't we due for a new...Speaking of diti veni, aren't we due for a new post?Soul Possession, PFB Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891662837668214475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-10003443030165121422011-09-26T14:57:44.759-04:002011-09-26T14:57:44.759-04:00Swami-maybe.
I think it was Whitey Herzog who sai...Swami-maybe. <br />I think it was Whitey Herzog who said, after losing Bruce Sutter, "I just got 20 games dumber."<br /><br />Or words to that effect.<br /><br /><br />capcha = "ditiveni" -- Must be about time for the Latin leagues to start.Soul Possession, PFB Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891662837668214475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-50835044540184552452011-09-26T14:54:38.862-04:002011-09-26T14:54:38.862-04:00If there are two anons in a town, there has to be ...If there are two anons in a town, there has to be three blogs, so there's one they both don't like.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-45620545661244277332011-09-26T14:54:02.934-04:002011-09-26T14:54:02.934-04:00Sec 3 - several people have mentioned to me that t...Sec 3 - several people have mentioned to me that this feels like the Caps of a few years ago right before everything started to pop. My thought for today after reading some of these posts: Steve McCatty is a wizard - we talk,( argue?) so much about the manager, we even debate the merits of Eckstein as hitting ( watching pitches go by) coach - but McCatty is just an obvious star - our pitching was way over expectations earlier in the year, there was definitely an "adjustment period" after Johnson came in and now you are seeing good pitching again.I think you can actually see the respect that the pitchers have for him and the nice way he has with them.The other person mentioned above is Randy Knorr who has been working his way from Potomac a few years ago right up the line. We are seeing the quality of play that he has been a part of in the minor leagues and the obvious good influence he has been on them. Sometimes the real work is done by the guy behind the curtain and not the one out in front. I hope we keep McCatty, if not he will have his pick of other jobs and I hope Randy Knorr continues to rise in the organization - although it is nice to have him in Syracuse.baseballswaminoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-26175618175534278642011-09-26T14:51:39.985-04:002011-09-26T14:51:39.985-04:00that 88mph slider is so effective because the FB w...that 88mph slider is so effective because the FB was dominating at 100-101. this is why it's so rare to have a guy like mariano who essentially pitches with one pitch. having two dissimilar pitches you can throw for strikes makes it hard to sit on one. <br /><br />and when your best pitch is 100ish, that 90ish breaking ball or changeup (see: strasburg, steven) is just pure evil.greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13848419973469239512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-77247361951498699482011-09-26T14:42:09.878-04:002011-09-26T14:42:09.878-04:00StatsGuy, if you mean my 2:11 post, the quote is f...StatsGuy, if you mean my 2:11 post, the quote is from Boswell.Soul Possession, PFB Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891662837668214475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-90354480479839581062011-09-26T14:39:56.809-04:002011-09-26T14:39:56.809-04:00Section 222 said...
I think that last pitch from H...<i>Section 222 said...<br />I think that last pitch from H-Rod was a slider. His curve is normally in the low 80s.</i><br /><br />Looked like a slider grip, too (I stopped it to look).Soul Possession, PFB Sofahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891662837668214475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-78069637780032729822011-09-26T14:31:26.523-04:002011-09-26T14:31:26.523-04:00Sec 3, I think you're right. I cheered for th...Sec 3, I think you're right. I cheered for the Senators/Twins to break out, but they had too many holes in the linup. I cheered for the Senators/Rangers to break out but they also had too many holes. Sure, the Nats could use a better leadoff hitter or another pitcher, but they've been built piece by piece in the right direction. I put my money on "over" at the beginning of the season, and I don't think I'll have to sweat it out again in the future.StatsGuynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442809928829881676.post-7147087711829133722011-09-26T14:30:20.787-04:002011-09-26T14:30:20.787-04:00HRod is now a Cy Young candidate...until the next ...HRod is now a Cy Young candidate...until the next time he blows up. And then just about everyone here will want him run out of town on the next train.<br /><br />For HRod and most of the Nats' young players, it's simply way too early to know how they're going to progress as major leaguers.N. Cognitonoreply@blogger.com