Friday, 7:05 p.m. -- RHP Charlie Morton (7-4, 3.77) vs. LHP Tom Gorzelanny (2-6, 4.18)TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
Saturday, 3:35 p.m. -- RHP James McDonald (5-4, 4.12) vs. LHP John Lannan (5-5, 3.48)Game 2, 7:05 p.m. -- RHP Brad Lincoln (6-7, 4.14 at AAA) vs. RHP Livan Hernandez (5-8, 3.81)
TV: MASN2 (Game 2 only)
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
Sunday, 1:35 p.m. -- RHP Kevin Correia (10-6, 3.79)
vs. RHP Jason Marquis (7-3, 3.62)
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
PIRATES UPDATE
For the first time in a long time, Pittsburgh enters July playing meaningful baseball. Having won six of nine interleague games from the Orioles, Red Sox and Blue Jays, the Pirates find themselves two games over .500, only two games out of first place in the NL Central. That's a remarkable position to be in for a franchise that hasn't sniffed a pennant race since 1997 and hasn't finished with a winning record since 1992.
Like the Nationals, the Pirates have stayed competitive thanks to stellar pitching. And the most important member of the staff might well be old friend Joel Hanrahan, who is enjoying a breakthrough season that is likely to earn him his first career All-Star berth. The right-hander is a perfect 23-for-23 in save opportunities, owns a 1.21 ERA and most importantly sports a career-best 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Like the Nationals, the Bucs have also managed to make it this deep into the season using only six starting pitchers (though they'll need to promote Brad Lincoln from Class AAA Indianapolis to start the second game of tomorrow's doubleheader). The unheralded quintet of Kevin Correia, Paul Maholm, Charlie Morton, Jeff Karstens and James McDonald has combined to post a 3.65 ERA, though Morton (who starts tonight) had his last start skipped over due to a "tired arm."
Like the Nationals, the Pirates have struggled to produce consistently at the plate, in part because of injuries to key members of the lineup. Third baseman Pedro Alvarez, left fielder Jose Tabata and catchers Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder are all on the DL, leaving center fielder Andrew McCutchen to pick up much of the slack.
WASHINGTON BATTERS VS. PITTSBURGH PITCHERS
Nats' best vs. Morton -- Ian Desmond (2-for-3, 2B, RBI), Roger Bernadina (1-for-2), Michael Morse (1-for-2), Wilson Ramos (1-for-2).
Nats' worst vs. Morton -- Ryan Zimmerman (1-for-5, 3 RBI, K), Jayson Werth (1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI).
Nats' best vs. McDonald -- Jerry Hairston (1-for-5, K).
Nats' worst vs. McDonald -- Jayson Werth (0-for-3, K), Ryan Zimmerman (0-for-1, K).
Nats' best vs. Lincoln -- Roger Bernadina (2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI), Ian Desmond (1-for-3, 2B, RBI).
Nats' best vs. Lincoln -- Ryan Zimmerman (0-for-2, BB, K), Jerry Hairston (1-for-4, K).
Nats' best vs. Correia -- Michael Morse (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Laynce Nix (2-foe-4, 2 2B, 2 BB, K), Jerry Hairston (2-for-6, 2 K).
Nats' worst vs. Correia -- Alex Cora (3-for-15, 2 RBI, BB, K), Ryan Zimmerman (3-for-13, K), Jayson Werth (2-for-8, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 K).
PITTSBURGH BATTERS VS. WASHINGTON PITCHERS
Pirates' best vs. Gorzelanny -- Andrew McCutchen (4-for-9, 2 RBI, 2 K), Xavier Paul (2-for-3), Garrett Jones (2-for-7, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K).
Pirates' worst vs. Gorzelanny -- Matt Diaz (2-for-11, 2B, HR, RBI, BB, K), Ronny Cedeno (5-for-19, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 9 K), Lyle Overbay (0-for-1, K).
Pirates' best vs. Lannan -- Matt Diaz (11-for-27, 4 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB, K), Andrew McCutchen (5-for-13, 2B, HR, RBI, 4 BB, 3 K), Neil Walker (5-for-13, 2B, RBI, 2 K).
Pirates' worst vs. Lannan -- Garrett Jones (1-for-10, RBI, 3 K), Brandon Wood (1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, BB).
Pirates' best vs. Hernandez -- Garrett Jones (3-for-8, 3 2B, 4 RBI, BB, K), Ronny Cedeno (3-for-10, 2 2B, RBI, 2 BB, K), Andrew McCutchen (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 3 BB).
Pirates' worst vs. Hernandez -- Xavier Paul (0-for-3, K), Matt Diaz (1-for-6, K), Lyle Overbay (4-for-14, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, 4 K).
Pirates' best vs. Marquis -- Neil Walker (4-for-6, 2B, RBI), Ronny Cedeno (7-for-16, 4 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K), Lyle Overbay (6-for-19, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, K).
Pirates' worst vs. Marquis -- Garrett Jones (0-for-8, BB, 3 K), Andrew McCutchen (3-for-13, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, 3 K).
60 comments:
Not 2012, not 2013, right now!
Okay, so Fox's contract screws up our TV for Saturday. Does anyone know how this will work? I think MASN can start showing stuff at 7, and I'm hoping that they'll just start broadcasting at that time, no matter where they are in Game 1 or 2.
But that's just my guess. If someone has better information, I'd love to hear it. Tanks.
Win 3 of 4 boys.
MASN said that Nats extra will be at 630. I will be in section 3309 for the games Saturday.
GYFGN
how's that morgan,burnett-milledge-hanrahan trade looking now? Rizzo was praised for that back in 2009 and it was suggested it helped him secured the GM job.
Can't figure out why I am so nervous about this series. We have been so bad for so long and now we are poised to really do something special and I am not feeling it. Help me out here guys!
I imagine people are going to rip nationals FO for the Hanrahan trade but that really is not fair. He was just not getting it done here even though he showed glimpses of what we are seeing now. His era was way over 6 and he needed most of that season and the next to get himself straightened out. Burnett is struggling now but came in and did well for us and Morgan in that first half year was outstanding. I would say its an even trade although there is no doubt Hanrahan is the Pirates All-Star along with McCutcheon.
Go Nats!!
Hanrahan is doing great now, and I'm happy for him. But recall what a jump start Nyjer gave us that summer, till he got injured. When he was the Good Nyjer, he was something else. A spark of hope and joy where we had none. I think, i that light, it was a great trade. It was what we needed right then. The good news is that we aren't in an emergency melt down situation anymore, and we can trade for the future, not this very minute.
Gonna really miss having Hairston around.
sjm, I feel a little nervous too. When a team is a tear, and the Pirates kinda are, they have momentum that helps them. Let's just see our momentum come back as we play at home.
GYFNG!
Might look like a bad trade right now but it is hard to find relievers that don't crap the bed every year or so.
Uhh. . . Ryan Franklin, Brian Fuentes, Brad Lidge, J. Broxton. That is just what happens.
We should hope for at least 6-5 home stand before ASG to get back to .500. Anything better is a bonus. I don't want to get into whether this team is capable of better than 6-5 or not.
Good to know Pirates are above .500. Now let's hope they are not when they leave town.
Any reason why we are not calling up someone for Saturday's DH? Also shouldn't Marquis be pitching game 4?
Neil Walker vs Danny Espinosa? Excited to see what happens. Wish I could go to DH. Never been to a DH.
I would take 6-5 right now!
Any word on who will come up with JH going on the dl. I was interested that Detwiller only pitched 2 innings yesterday. Maybe they are thinking of bringing him up? I would love to see him out of the pen as our 2nd lefty.
Oh I see that you have Marquis listed as game 4 starter, but Nationals site has JZ as the starter? Your post makes sense.
FS, the double-header might make them need a new guy, but I think that need would show up in the next start. Remember, they just had a day off.
If I'm counting right -- confidence on that is at about 50% -- Wed, 5/6, would be the day for some kind of shenanigans -- either a new guy, or someone going on three days' rest.
sjm308 said...
The Nationals have a manager who hasn't managed since 2000, a previous manager who threw the team under the bus, a three game losing streak, and an anemic strike out .232 hitting avg team, nervous isn't the word. How does dread fit? The cliff is close and the Nationals could go either way.
We are hosting Pittsburgh, Chicago and Colorado before the break. With all due respect to these teams I am certainly hoping for much better than 6 - 5 on the home stand.
Exposremains said... how's that morgan,burnett-milledge-hanrahan trade looking now? Rizzo was praised for that back in 2009 and it was suggested it helped him secured the GM job. July 1, 2011 10:48 AM
That trade still doesn't look too bad. Joel Hanrahan just needed a change of scenery and Burnett was the same case in Pittsburgh.
This trade with Josh Willingham for essentially Henry Rodriguez since Corey Brown is stinking up Syracuse looks like a bad trade considering what Willingham -should- have yielded.
Let's just say trades have to be judged years down the road. Nyjer did yield Cutter Dykstra LOL. What a joke that is.
The best trade is the one that DIDN'T happen in Zach Greinke for JZim, Espy and Stor-n.
Even Jayson Werth's signing can't be judged right now. Way too early although it is good for comic relief.
Rizzo is a scout and I fear if the Nats do get BJ Upton it will be a bad trade for the Nats.
The problem of course with the hitting is the approach has bot worked most of the season, They swing at too many balls, and let go to many strikes. A good rule of thumb don't swing at breaking pitches or sliders that start at the waste as they will be low, and don't swing at fast balls above the waste as they will be high byy the time they go by.
And don't swing at balls but swing at strikes. And hit the ball hard. Over the fence if you can.
Internet Hitting Coach said...
And don't swing at balls but swing at strikes. And hit the ball hard. Over the fence if you can.
I concur with this...
Also, throw strikes, but not too good of ones.
Internet Pitching Coach said...
Also, throw strikes, but not too good of ones.
I concur with this too...
That's the worse lineup I've ever seen! How are we supposed to win with that lineup? Davey Jones must really want to lose, or maybe the Learner's told him to do it. Probably Rizzo, too.
(Oops, posted that a little bit too early. Back later...)
Armchair Manager said...
That's the worse lineup I've ever seen! How are we supposed to win with that lineup? Davey Jones must really want to lose, or maybe the Learner's told him to do it. Probably Rizzo, too.
(Oops, posted that a little bit too early. Back later...)
I'm not sure what to make of this, but I concur with this as well...
The commenters on this blog should all be fired.
Or they should resign.
Possibly after issuing an ultimatum.
"Winning" was fun. Can the Nats get back to it please?
GYFNG!
I, too , am a little nervous about this homestand. I am hoping that now that the dust has settled, Davey can swallow his quite substantial pride and admit that Riggs wasn't the worst manager ever and some of the things he was doing were being done for a reason and actually worked. I liked the way McClaren just slid right in and kept things humming along without riling things up too much. This team is in a very precarious position right now and the chemical mix was just exactly right for a brief period of time. Now it's been shaken up and needs to find it's way right again. Note: Nix can't play every day right now even if you wanted to keep the line -up the same. Matt Stairs does not have it anymore, and Jayson Werth is really messed up right now. Somehow, the "before" Nats were compensating and pulling it out and the "after" Nats need to get back to that if they can. Each and every game they play has the potential for going either way and every little thing counts in those kind of games. That's a scary way to play, but it's where we are right now. GYFNG Maybe being home will give them a little spark!
Jim Riggleman said...
You killed the buzz. Stop harassing us.
I concur...
to Steve M.
Its possible Hanrahan needed a of change scenery and its hard to predict the future but I can't say it was a good trade for the Nats. For now, the players they got(Morgan and Burnett) haven't done anything for the long term which is what they were presented as back then.
As an expos fan, I can tell you that getting Colon at the time it was exciting because it meant that we were going for it that year but its only years later that we found out how bad that trade was.
This should be a good weekend.
If you look at what Milledge and Hanrahan were doing here, I don't see how you can call that a bad trade. Before he went rather eccentric, Morgan gave the Nats some excitement that year. And Hanrahan was doing nothing except giving up games. I'm glad he's gotten it together in the Steel City, but he wasn't doing it in DC.
I'm the other Dave, the one who posts here regularly. I wouldn't use a phrase like "craps the bed." Just FYI.
GYFNG.
FWIW, I came pretty close to the over/under on the calls to fire Davey. I said it would happen the first time the Nats lost twice in a row. But, it happened (in the prior thread) after they dropped three. I was close!
Oh, and those guys were the same ones complaining last year that we should have hired Buck Showalter as manager, after all, look how he was improving the O's, right?
Not.
I only wish Werth would stop pressing and have some fun...
Good trades don't always have good outcomes, unless that's your only definition of good (which is not indefensible, but it's not mine).
Vinny Castilla for Brian Lawrence, for instance--that was just bad luck.
who else is ready to see Desmond and Marquis shipped for a true starting CF (like Upton) and some prospect?
David: NOT ME! not for Upton. I recognize that Marquis is going for someone. But I do not want to break up the kings of the double play.
The best trade is the one that DIDN'T happen in Zach Greinke for JZim, Espy and Stor-n.
Even Jayson Werth's signing can't be judged right now. Way too early although it is good for comic relief.
Rizzo is a scout and I fear if the Nats do get BJ Upton it will be a bad trade for the Nats.
Remember, the owner had a lot to do with this. Not Mark. Ted. I believe Grienke mentioned how impressed he was with Ted Lerner's unwavering desire to win now. But Grienke himself saw how the trade would hurt more than help the Nationals, and so he demurred.
Ted wasn't any more patient with Mike Rizzo than many fans after realizing how badly and shamefully bamboozled he was by Jim Bowden. But, I believe he is learning to trust Rizzo more and more. Its an ongoing progression. Its why I will disagree with Boswell's contention that its good Davey Johnson only met Ted Lerner once. I believe it would help both Rizzo and Lerner to succeed if Johnson, Rizzo and Ted Lerner spend a good deal of time together.
It might just make what Boz calls average into something uniquely unprecedented ... very, very quickly.
As for BJ Upton. Rizzo believes (see Joel Hanrahan discussion above) a change of scenery would be what the doctor ordered for Upton.
And let us not fail to remember that he is a childhood friend and former teammate of Ryan Zimmerman.
There are too many good reasons to take a flyer on Upton if he can be acquired reasonably cheaply from the Rays.
Ahhh what a delightful meal ... old, thin and tough Riggleman was delightfully skewered by so many pundits ... well tenderized and melt in your mouth ...
I warned you I was circling ... circling ... I always get my prey ...
But, wait I am still hungry for a delectably chubby, slow Matty Stairs ...
BJ Upton talk aside, Mike Cameron was just DFA'd by Boston. He's almost guaranteed to clear waiver with over $3 million left on his contract. Could be a good stopgap get for us with Hairston out for a month and likely not playing to well after that.
Are we just operating under the assumption right now that Ankiel and Hairston are swapping places on the DL? That's leaving us mighty thin on right-handed bats...
Are we just operating under the assumption right now that Ankiel and Hairston are swapping places on the DL? That's leaving us mighty thin on right-handed bats...
They'd probably be better off bringing up Antonelli along with Ankiel. But Ankiel's injury is a lingering one that would affect his bat. And it was already pretty much ZERO. Lombardozzi then becomes interesting because he is a switch hitter. Doubtless, player development would like to see him play every day in AAA for awhile.
Guys who "just need a change of scenery", too often seem to need another one, sooner, rather than later. I've yet to hear any one make a convincing case for Upton, over Bernie, who seems to already appreciate the scenery, just fine.
Speaking of which, Bill Ladson tweets:
was just informed that Rick Ankiel is back with the big-league team
I've yet to hear any one make a convincing case for Upton, over Bernie, who seems to already appreciate the scenery, just fine.
Rizzo believes in competition. Real competition not the kind represented by Rick Ankiel one would hope. BJ Upton provides that. Bernadina provides that. As should Corey Brown eventually. Its not a case of one over the other its a case of finding the one who takes over the position and makes it theirs.
Ladson also tweets:
The #Nats are looking for a long-term solution in center field. #MLB
Mike Cameron, who was designated for assignment by the Red Sox, is not considered the answer in center field for the #Nats
Wonder if Davey will feel compelled to play Ankiel regularly in CF.... Shouldn't Bernie be out there, every day? Not just because we want an extended sample to grade him on, but because he's played MUCH BETTER than Ankiel?!
Wonder if Davey will feel compelled to play Ankiel regularly in CF.... Shouldn't Bernie be out there, every day?
Bernadina's made the grade. Johnson said he was his lead off hitter at least for now. Johnson doesn't strike me as the Riggleman type who changes his mind 2 lineups later. Riggleman needed to go. As I too often said so very many times ... its a huge relief both for the educated fan and for his clubhouse which clearly preferred his bench coach John McLaren.
That doesn't mean Johnson won't throw Ankiel into the fire. Remember he intimated that he was evaluating his roster. Let's assume he is going to spend the remaining games before the all-star break doing that. And then? Well, we'll see but I suspect changes will be made.
Unkyd ...
Well, he had MS batting cleanup. What does that tell you? And on that subject, why was MS the first (and as far as I know only) player to badmouth our former manager after he left? Which leads me to wonder if he started one of those "fires" Rizzo allegedly had to put out.
As for Upton, go back and review the dustup he had with Longoria last year. Pretty ugly. Is he a "character" guy?
So Matt Stairs dodges another bullet. Hope to see Bernadina in the lineup but would understand DJ wanting to see just what he has in this homestand.
On a totally unrelated note, I just used my last Red Carpet Reward points for tickets and I can only hope they continue that program. I ordered the games yesterday and they were ready to be printed this afternoon. I asked for section 308-310 and got 310 for all 4 tickets. I realize the Lerners will get my money on beer but its still basically free baseball and I love it.
Go Nats!!
Kilgore tweets: Nats make it official; Hairston to DL, Ankiel reinstated.
Backup utility infielders look now to be righty Brian Bixler and lefty Alex Cora. Bixler, like Hairston, can manage in all three positions in the outfield. The Nats now have 3 left-handed starting outfielders and 1 right handed again.
With Hairston out a while and Clippard and Storen showing wear, I'd replace Hairston with another pitcher, maybe Stammen. Stammen's going to start some games in September anyway, why not have him help relieve the stress in the bullpen. Even if he's not as fine a player as Hairston, Bixler has shown to be a utilityman in the same mold. Perhaps he can learn catching.
As for Upton, go back and review the dustup he had with Longoria last year. Pretty ugly. Is he a "character" guy?
He's a Zimmerman guy. And if the FO is smart they will want to do everything in their power to cajole Ryan Zimmerman into re-upping his contract for 5 or more years (remember he is STILL ONLY 26!).
@2:43... Point taken. But you make a good argument for picking Upton up cheap.... as in for one prospect. We're deep at MI... And when is Upton scheduled to be paid? If a financial trigger needs to be pulled this winter... We won't be educated, will we?
Oldguy...... just what did Stairs have to say about Riggleman? Apparently I must have missed those comments.
Do we even know that Zim is an Upton fan? Just because they are friends and share history doesn't mean Zim would lobby for his presence... I have lots of friends, old, dear friends, who play music, but I wouldn't want some of them in my band, for reasons of chemistry, as well as skill level. Does anyone have a quote suggesting Ryan wants his homey aboard? It's often thrown out there as a positive... Show me.
I really hope that Davey Johnson puts everything aside - his past, this team's past and the recent manager debacle -- and seriously looks at each and every player on the roster. He needs to ignore reputations, past stats and contract numbers and choose up sides as if he were on the playground - who can help me win this game tonight?Who looked good in the cages today? Who plays full-out 100% all the time? There are too many non-baseball reasons interfering with the line-up. I kind of thought that he might go all old-school and start moving people down in the line-up or benching people who field balls in a lazy, bare-handed kind of way ( not mentioning any names here). I think he's got the juice with Rizzo to pretty much do what he wants. Will he just tinker until after the all-star break? Come on, Nats, go out there and play your hearts out!Pittsburgh has a nice little buzz going - be kind of nice to pop their bubble a little bit.
Has anybody seen any line-ups yet? Please, please, please don't start Ankiel!!!! The Shark needs to play! Ankiel was terrible even in AAA. He and Stairs must have some dirt on someone to still be on this team. And now I need to go breathe into a bag - hyperventilating at the thought of Ankiel and Stairs playing.......
I just saw the post that Ankiel is back with the team. Hairston out, Ankiel back - this team just took a step backwards.
If Ankiel and Stairs are starting tonight, I'm not even going to go. What position would he play? Left? Has he had more than like 5 starts at first?
masnstinks wrote: "I kind of thought that he might go all old-school and start moving people down in the line-up"
Davey doesn't bench players for poor performance if it thinks the player has upside and if he thinks it will hurt their self confidence. He's always been a "short term pain for long term gain" kind of manager. He'll let young pitcher try to work out of early game jams, even if it backfires, to pick just one example.
He probably _would_ bench a player for poor effort, however. But we haven't seen any lazy, barehanded efforts since he came aboard.
sjm308...
Pirates are a hot team comin' in and they're feeling it, overcoming a lot of injuries. The Nats are not the juggernats of a week ago but they're ready for some home cookin'.
Hanrahan? Time for two a blown save. Sorry Joel.
Home Sweet Home.
GYFNG!
CF - I've been lobbying for about a week for Michael Bourn. He's signed through the end of this year and would be a free agent after the season. He's making $4.4M this year. He's about a .280/.360/.400 player who has 34 steals and plays a gold Glove centerfield (in '09 & '10). Denard Span's stats don't compare and people have mentioned Borjos (sp?) who we just saw in Anaheim. No track record. That would be a huge mistake.
This is one of the missing pieces for a championship run for the next few years. Let's make it count!
The 'stros need catching and we have some answers there, to be sure.
When you think back to Milledge's poor defense, nonexistent offense and lack of professionalism, plus Hanrahan's utter inability to pitch (blown save after blown save), you can't call it a bad trade. Even though Burnett is struggling now, he was lights out last year, and as others have noted, Good Nyjer jump-started us before he turned into Crazy Nyjer.
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