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US Presswire file photo The Nationals try to salvage a series split today at Coors Field. |
If Davey Johnson can get a good start out of Lannan, he has to like his chances considering the production he's gotten out of his lineup. Over the last nine games, the Nats are hitting a collective .310 with an .843 OPS. That's pretty stout. Unfortunately, their record over that span is a pedestrian 5-4 due to shaky pitching.
Speaking of pitching, the one and only Stephen Strasburg will make his return to competitive baseball today, scheduled to throw two innings (or 35 pitches) for low-Class A Hagerstown against Greensboro. Chase Hughes will be covering that event for CSNwashington.com, so be sure to check over there for a full report later. I'm traveling most of the day, but I'll attempt to update this with lineups once they're posted...
NATIONALS at ROCKIES
Where: Coors Field
Gametime: 3:10 p.m.
TV: MASN2
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 185
Weather: Sunny, 89 degrees, Wind 6 mph LF to RF
STARTING LINEUPS
NATIONALS (54-59)
CF Rick Ankiel
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Michael Morse
RF Jayson Werth
LF Jonny Gomes
SS Ian Desmond
C Jesus Flores
P John Lannan
ROCKIES (53-61)
Lineup TBA
P Aaron Cook
83 comments:
Arbitration question, Mark. If Rizzo is smart, he'll get some value out of a hot Ankiel from a contender, and bring up Bernadina to finish out the year. Jacoby Ellsbury would be a perfect fit in the center of the DC outfield, and is represented by Scott Boras. Is there any chance that Ellsbury looks at the Jayson Werth haul and refuses an arbitration offer from the Sox? Or can he? Is there any way to get him here in 2012 other than a trade?
WHY I HATE THE DH
"Gorzelanny had dabbled in batting right-handed before in his career, and he plays golf and hockey right-handed. It’s comfortable. He was 1 for 25 left-handed this season, so “I just said, ‘Screw it,’ ” he said.
Sure enough, Gorzelanny bounced a single up the middle — his second hit this year in 26 at-bats."
From Adam Kilgore's gamer
Hey Depot Master.
Jacoby Ellsbury is playing out his first arbitration year. He is property of the Red Sox for 2 more years unless they trade or release him. He won't be a free agent until after the 2013 season. The three arbitration years that players get prior to becoming free agents ensures that teams get to keep their home grown talent, but also ensures that talent gets paid market value salaries.
Also, not much Rizzo can do now with Ankiel. The only way he could be traded is if he cleared waivers, and that ain't happening. The only thing Rizzo could consider doing with Ankiel is try and re-sign him before the season ends. Other than that, Ankiel plays out the string and becomes a free agent.
Depot Master : Your question of can the Nats get Jacoby Ellsbury puts me in mind of a fan who remarked on ARod's troubles (before he 'roided out of them) in NY, and asked Barry Svrluga: "What would it cost the Nats to get ARod?" Svrluga's answer: "The National Mall."
The Sawx have to offer him arbitration. No way they allow him to reach free agency.
What a great day for a Nats' no-hitter!
The Nats will eventually get Upton who's value is going to rise if his hitting continues to improve as it has of late. Its going to cost them.
Livo has been a pro's pro here in Washington, but I think it might be time for him to call it a career
Flynnie, more on the DH.
July 29, Melky Cabrara (KC) hits a grand slam off Carlos Carrasco (CLE), and Carrasco then throws the next pitch at the head of Billy Butler.
Benches clear, players ejected, all the usual stuff.
Jeff Francoeur (KC) “You don’t throw at someone’s head. You could really hurt somebody. That’s just wrong. That’s why I like the National League because that stuff doesn’t happen. You have to take a bat up there.”
Full gamer - http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=310729105
flynnie said...
"What would it cost the Nats to get ARod?" Svrluga's answer: "The National Mall."
i thought the player in question was Randy Johnson... because i thought i asked that question.
but maybe Barry used that line many times...
actually i think he answered my question with "the Washington Monument."
fun memories with Barry. :)
It'll be interesting to see what Rizzo does with Morse this offseason. Morse has 2 more arbitration years. Rizzo can do little, make him a one year offer, maybe go to arbitration. Or he could try and ink Morse to a 3 or 4 year deal buying out his last 2 years of arbitration and his first year or two of free agency, which would give Morse real security with a guaranteed contract.
Technical question: I noticed in the local paper that the Rockies put Nicasio on the 15-day DL. Obviously they know he'll be out for 60+ days (and, I'm pretty sure, they clearly knew this when they put him on the 15-day list). Do they have to put a player on the 15-day DL before they can move him to the 60-day? Is there some other reason for going to the 15-day list initially? Unless they're required to do so, I'm not sure I understand the move -- can someone explain the rationale for going that route? Thanks.
Sunderland, agreed, and his waiting on Morse will cost dearly. A few here suggested an extension several months ago. Morse will get MVP votes and maybe, and I know this sounds crazy, the Silver Slugger although I think Prince Fielder gets it. He is 3rd in the Batting title.
Why is Bernadina down and Gomes in there? He ads nothing to this team. Could also be a steal fest with Flores back there.
To Flynnie @12:02 -- I like the way you think! Go LannEn!
Bewildered, there's likely a few different angles to this, but like a few other teams, the Rockies do not have a full 40 man roster right now. And you can not put someone on the 60 day DL unless the 40 man is full.
Generally, teams don't move someone to the 60 day DL unless they have someone that is not on the 40 man roster that they want in the big leagues (and therefore on the active 25 man roster). If they moved Nicasio to the 60 day DL, it would indeed free up a spot on the 40 man roster, but if they are not going to fill that spot, what's the point?
So if the Nat's wanted to bring up Peacock (who is not on the 40 man), and if they needed a space for him, they could shift Cole Kimball or Adam LaRoche to the 60 day DL and then add Peacock. But as it is, the Nats also have room now on their 40 man. They will soon lose a spot for Strasburg, and maybe if they bring up 2 guys before September you'll see Kimball or LaRoche get shifted.
re: Flores today - when Flores first came up it was a disaster - Marquis was visibly annoyed with him. As each pitcher has made more starts with him, I think things are settling down. He has thrown a few people out stealing, too. I am wondering what's going to happen with our catching situation. Will Pudge really heal and get back? Will Flores spend another entire year in the minors in 2012? Flores was a good young ballplayer before he got hurt. Has he lost his window to develop? I would love to see Pudge back here for very many reasons - if it goes another few weeks, Pudge can work his way back in and Flores can stay also. I am liking Ramos for the future a lot and the pitchers seem to work well with him.Are we too deep at catcher?
I like Ramos' potential, too, but he's standing so far from the plate that he can't reach outside pitches without lunging. He moved a bit closer for at least one recent home game, but now he's backed off again and is an easy outon pitches away. Can't somebody order him to change his apporoach?
Here are a few more team statistical observations. All rankings are NL only.
Offense - despite the recent uptick, we are still mostly towards the bottom in key categories.
BA - 14th (.241) We are worst in this overall stat, a little better in others
OBA - tied for 10th
SLG - 11th
WAR (offense only) - 9th
K% - 15th. So the prevailing commentary that we strike out a lot is, in a word, true.
Pitching - middle of the pack, seems a little lucky.
ERA -6th
FIP - 9th
xFIP - 13th. This is what I mean by lucky, although BABiP, generally the first thing that people look at to determine luck, doesn't agree. We are 12th in BABiP, implying that we are unlucky. This needs a little more analysis than I am willing to do right now, but I think that we are benefitting from a lower than normal HR rate.
BB/9 - 5th. Embracing the pitch to contact philosophy, which appears to help, but also shows how Henry's impact is diluted by only pitching 50 innings or so.
K/9 -15th. So we are the cautionary tale of strikeouts, making too many of them, and don't get nearly enough when pitching.
I didn't break it out for starters and relievers, but generally starters have performed a little better than the pen.
Baserunning - 4th. This isn't just steals, but advancing the extra base, etc.
Fielding - 9th. I thought that we would be better, but I need to dig in more before I draw any conclusions
Got to love a nice, well-turned double play! (Almost as much as I love everything about Ryan Zimmerman. Almost.)
Hello, all - that's quite a great post, Wally! Nats were 4th in DP's and increase that every time Lannan pitches. Baseballswami, we lost our no-hitter, but Jonny Gomes has overcome homelessness, a car wreck which killed his best friend, a heart attack, and another trade to swat in two runs! Go Jonny!
Anonymous said...
Why is Bernadina down and Gomes in there? He ads nothing to this team
2-0 nats
Btw- raking out the catcher a few games ago set up a
Slam from ankeil.
"ads" a bit
Taking out.
Gomes is 6 for 19. As a replacement for Stairs, he's already earned his keep as a Nat. Four more hits and he'll match Stairs' production--anything more is just gravy! ;-)
I kind of understand the Bernie vs. Gomes sentiment. I really do feel Bernie is getting a raw deal. But - I don't feel that it's because of Gomes, it's because of other circumstances. Gomes seems like a really good guy - I also understand that he has won some award called "heart and hustle" - I am not familiar with it. Anyone know anything about it? I was surprised to hear Carp talking about Desi visiting the hospital to pray with Juan N.'s family. Seems kind of like a private thing to me that Desi would not use as pr to make him look like a good guy. I think we will hear later on that many of the folks in both dugouts were shaken up and will continue to be. Witnessing any kind of serious accident will stick with you.
A Bon Mot from Waddu! And, with 2 runners stranded in the top of the 4th, the bases are loaded with 2 out and a pop0up to who else? Gomes!
Stras had a nice first inning with 2 K's and while giving up a scratch single past second base in Hagerstown.
Cook looks like he is throwing BP. We really need to put up 6 or 7 runs today.
Nats Jack - any radar readings on Stras?
ooops... Stras struck out the first guy in the second but the next hitter took him deep to right center for a HR.
Actually, Kilgore tweeted 96-98 in the first
I'm watching online. No gun.
NJ - maybe Kilgore tracking by 'one mississippi, ...'? Probably why he gave a range.
Beautiful strike out of Tulo by Lannan.
Couldn't ask for more from Lannan - but I hope he can throw a complete game.
Probably one more inning at most. Offense needs to put enough runs to not be bothered by who replaces Lannan late in the game.
Uh-oh. Here comes Mattheus. He's a Rockie born and bred. They traded him away to the Nats. Make 'em pay, Ryan! And Davey calls Clipp, doing his best Tony LaRussa imitation, whose ideal game would involve 27 pitching changes.
so what did morse do wrong?
Color commentator has never been more succinct. "and that folks was a brain cramp".
C'mon Clip.
Why is Lannan out of the game - was he losing velocity or did the manager just want some offense? I really wish he would let a starter in if he is doing well. A tied starter, doing well, is better than almost anyone in our bullpen. Can't watch , just have gameday - was Lannan tired or have a high pitch count?
Bob Carpenter on the 80 mph changeup Clipp struck Tulo out on: "That takes courage to throw that thing right down the middle of the plate!" And Clipp's error - failing to cover 1st - cost Lannan the win and the Nats the lead. All this truth-telling from the supposed homer, "Sunny" Bob C., whom the Lewrners need to renew.
Did Clip just give up a run? Was it his run or Mattheus run - either way, he almost NEVER lets a base runner score.
gonatsgo, Lannan's pitch count was in the mid 90's, but walking the leadoff hitter is asking your manager to consider pulling you. Next up Eric Young, a switch hitter who hits lefties well better than righties.
But it does make you wonder if Davey Johnson ever means what he says to the press.
How good did that RBI single feel for Jason Werh?
Sunderland - thanks - I just think some of these starting pitchers, especially if you have been putting up zeros , should be allowed some room to work it out, especially since our bullpen has been so bad. I would rather have seen John take responsibility for his own win at that point. JZ ran into the same problem last night where he probably could have worked things out but the bullpen poured gas on the fire. Nice to see them get a go ahead run right there, but , now , who is going to hold it?
re: JZ -- not last night, of course - his last start.
Coffey - really?
C'mon Coffey! Give Clippard the vultured win!
Good job by Coffey. I wouldn't mind seeing us get at least one more run in the top of the 9th.
2-3-4 coming up for Storen. Really needs a shutdown inning here. He's been a little shaky lately, but hasn't gotten a lot of work in lately.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDShDPbhHmM
Oh, Joe!Thank you for channeling Debby for us. ;-) (though I was thinking, myself, that it had to feel pretty pasta good!)
Bob C, who I think adds a lot to the game: "That pitch is PERFECT on the corner! This game is OVER!" GYFN!!!!!
How cool that Stras is pitching at 98. Labor Day would be a really great day for him tom come, back, doncha think?
Awesome 9th inning for storen. hitting 98 multiple times? never seen that kind of velocity from him. great stuff
Last year in Colorado Clippard gave up the game to Rockies and that was the end of their great run. This year same thing but they win maybe we'll get a nice winning streak.
storen at 98 that is, 98 for strasburg is pretty typical
Wow! Lannan deserved the win, but, hey we got a split. Good job by Todd, Jason Werth and Drew, and yes, you gotta give Davey a little bit of credit. Folks, we have to get outs from somebody else in the bullpen other then Clip and Storen.
Boy is great to hear that Staus threw a few pitches with no ill effects!
Werth with a clutch hit. YEAHHH
Hey Wally, thanks for the analysis!
Anon. Rally Monkey - Well said!!! And after an intentional walk! Such justice! Most satisfying!
Nice win! I luv when our Boyz WIN!!Split with the ROX on a road trip is Great! Next is the cubbies.
I'm just curious, I wonder if Clip has incentive clauses in his contract? You know get selected to the All Star game is a bonus, win so many games it's a bonus.
Not covering first base on the hit to Morse and a run scores thereby taking the win away from LannEn and Clip gets a vultured win. Hmmmm...No, I don't think there were any thoughts going that way. Just makes you wonder sometimes though.
GYFNG!!!
CMW pitches Monday. UGhhhh Were gonna need to score at least 8 runs. Anybody know who is due to come in in the 3rd and mop up? Is it Det or Gorzzy??
what seems to get lost sometimes is even though Lannan is not always pretty when he pitches the guys always are in the game.
Good that we got a series split. Also nice to 'see' SS back in action. Excited!!!
For those that questioned Gomes' worth, today 's HR was great, but that slide last week, at the plate, to not only score the run, but to breakup the probable double play was one of the Nationals best plays or the year.
GYFNG!!!
Couple of thoughts - wasn't actually posting during the game today. Nice to see Gomes and Werth with the ribees today - it's nice when everyone contributes. Then there's Ryan Zimmerman - who just contributes each and every day. Lannan looked great and it's unfortunate he did not get the statistical win, but he seems like the kind of guy who cares more if the team wins. Clip - I am thinking that, looking at the stats, one of the runs was charged to Lannan and the other to Mattheus? So, even though the game became tied, his era isn't affected and he gets the win? Crazy the way stats work. But - he is not going to be perfect, he is still REALLY good. Storen looked amazing - tough part of the order and he seems to have no fear.Is his velocity getting higher as the season goes on? One game in Colorado Zim got walked and Morse made them pay, this game Morse got walked and Werth made them pay - that's the way it's got to work with those guys in the middle. Nicely done! This road trip doesn't get any easier from here - suddenly the Cubs are hot and Philly is just, well, you know...
It would be so nice if we could manage a win tomorrow in Chicago - the Mets and Marlins both lost today. Come one CMW -- the third start's a charm!!
@baseballswami
it was the Nats chaplain who told Carp about Desi's visit to the hospital, not Desi. So don't accuse him of something he didn't do.
Gomes replaced Stairs and what he did today Stairs couldn't do all year. I think it was a good move.
Original Nats Fan -- Just thinking maybe they should have kept quiet about it. I know they were just trying to illustrate what a caring guy he is, though. It was great of Desi to go -I don't think Desi would have mentioned it to anyone at all because he absolutely did not do it just to look like he was doing the right thing. I am sure that he was genuinely upset -- I was just saying that I think the Nats chaplain should have respected his privacy and kept his mouth shut. Usually chaplains, pastors, clergy don't tell stuff like that. And basically , if you tell Carp something - you know it's ending up on the air.
Exposremains -- I know that who replaced who got a little confusing around the trade deadline - there are some who think that Gomes replaced Bernie. Whatever -- I prefer to look at it as a huge upgrade from Stairs to Gomes, too. I have been reading and hearing some really interesting things about him. In his post-game interview, he said that the team has been very welcoming. Another example of what a classy bunch they are.
Any video anywhere of Strassie today?
Just left Hagerstown and headed back. Looks like 24 strikes out of 30 pitches. The player that hit the HR stepped back from a wicked curve. Strasburg was around the plate and in the high 90's on his heat.
Great to see AJ Cole pitch as a bonus.
I think Bixler replaced Bernadina. Bernadina is the position player version of Mock. Lots of potential, shows great things and then can't hit or field.
Clarification: the wicked curve was on the pitch before the HR where the batter leaned back.
22 away games and 26 home games left. if we play .500 on the road and win 15 of 26 (57% winning percentage) at home, we end season at .500 exactly. I think these are very reasonable expectations. With SS coming back and few promotions to Peacock, etc, this team should aim for better than .500.
If we win 48 straight we might make the playoffs! I'd love to see Davey have to take Wang out of a no hitter tomorrow night because of his pitch restriction.
And anonymous, I'm sure you have your good, likely professional reasons for remaining so, but I wish you'd get a handle. You ask Svrluga excellent questions, have been following the team for years, and are generally perspicacious. E.g. "what seems to get lost sometimes is even though Lannan is not always pretty when he pitches the guys always are in the game." It's time to SIGN LANNAN TO AN EXTENSION!!!
At our house,, we predicted that Desi and some others would shower and head to the hospital that night. He is a good, good guy, and he is improving as a player. I love the double play combo he has with Espi and Morse.
Anyone catch FP tonight, in the post game, listen to Ray talking about hoe he once got hit in the head by a ball: "oh, is THAT what happened?" That sailed riiiiight over Ray's head.
Mark'd, how fun that you got to see the outting. Michele S, did you have fun?
Cubbies! My guys are coming for you! And Mark Z will be there to write it all up.
If we can post some runs right away, and live through the inevitable bad first inning, we have a chance, because he seems to settle down in tne second.
I would love to see the bullpen settle down, too , JaneB -- even Clip had a hiccup today. Either pitchers go long or bullpen tighten up. GYFNG!!
I just got home from Hagerstown. The place was packed for 31 pitches and we stayed for the full game and part of the 2nd game in which McCatty's son got the Win.
The Jacob Realmuto HR off of Strasburg was interesting to see that A ball player stroke the ball that far on a line drive to centerfield. He had a big smile and will never forget that moment.
I shot this video of Stras walking by me after he finished his outing. He looked great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhN3LZFezok
Two things that I found interesting. One was that during Strasburg's pitches only, he was throwing official MLB baseballs instead of the SAL League balls.
The other I heard was Pudge was a no-show after Kilgore wrote yesterday that he was going to catch Strasburg. Does anyone have info on that?
Bernadina's average in SYR has dropped to .233. Peacock now has a close to 5 ERA and he has been walking lots of batters getting to five innings with 100 pitch counts. He may not be ready.
Right now the starting rotation looks like Strasburg, Zimmermann, and Lannan going into 2012. The last two slots probably filled by a free agent (maybe Sabathia instead of Marquis this time ... lol) and a choice between Milone, Stammen, Meyers, and Maya.
With Peacock spending part of the year in Syracuse after the AFL given his struggles in AAA.
Harper appears to be breaking out in AA and the H'burg offense is following. You have to wonder about that guy ... he looks like he might be playing left field for the Nats out of ST in 2012 if he goes and plays winter ball?
Then where do you play Morse? Right field? Instead of Werth? Or do you trade or release LaRoche? Its going to be an interesting offseason I expect.
Yeah, no chance Harper is with the big club in April. LaRoche at 1B, Morse in LF, Harper still at Harrisburg. Depending how Harper develops, maybe LaRoche gets traded in July and Harper comes to DC. That's the soonest.
Also, silly to count on Strasburg for a boost for the Nats. He might start 4 games. He might average 4+ innings a game. His contribution towards a .500 will be negligible.
Outside of CC, who likely re-ups with the Yanks, and the intriguing C.J. Wilson, who probably enjoys playing for a first-place club in Texas, the free agent market for pitching isn't that exciting.
Unless a trade changes the mix, I think Detwiler is a good bet to make the rotation.
That would give you Strasburg, Zimmermann, Detwiler and Lannan, with one to find.
It's a couple of years out, but things will get quite interesting when guys like Cole, Ray, Solis and Alex Meyer are knocking on the door.
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