Monday, 7:05 p.m. -- RHP Jair Jurrjens (12-3, 2.38) vs. RHP Livan Hernandez (5-10, 4.19)TV: MASN Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. -- RHP Derek Lowe (6-9, 4.52) vs. LHP John Lannan (7-7, 3.63)TV: MASN Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
Wednesday, 1:05 p.m. -- RHP Brandon Beachy (4-2, 3.27) vs. RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-1, 9.00)
TV: MASN Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM
BRAVES UPDATE
Two weeks ago, the Braves beat the Nationals for the 10,000th victory in franchise history, an accomplishment that was then proclaimed all across Turner Field with the subtlety of a knee to the groin. Well, Atlanta yesterday lost the 10,000th game in franchise history (joining only the Phillies in that illustrious category) and you've got to wonder whether the Nationals will find a way to make note of that at the ballpark tonight.
All kidding aside, the Braves remain in firm control of the NL wild-card lead right now, up 3 1/2 games on the Diamondbacks. And they just added a key piece for the stretch run, acquiring Michael Bourn from the Astros for four players (none of them considered top-tier prospects).
Bourn (hitting .303 with a .363 on-base percentage and a league-leading 39 stolen bases) should help solve Atlanta's woeful problems in both center field and at the top of their order. Braves center fielders have combined to hit .245 with a .325 on-base percentage this season. As a team, they've only stolen 42 bases (three more than Bourn has piled up alone).
Pitching, of course, remains this team's strength. The Braves have collectively posted a 1.98 ERA over their last eight games, allowing more than three earned runs only once during that span. The Nats better hope they can do some damage against Atlanta's starting rotation, because the chance of them rallying against the bullpen is slim. Closer Craig Kimbrel and top setup men Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty all failed to allow an earned run in July. That's right, all three relievers posted 0.00 ERAs for the month.
WASHINGTON BATTERS VS. ATLANTA PITCHERS
Nats' best vs. Jurrjens -- Ryan Zimmerman (10-for-27, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K), Ian Desmond (3-for-7, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Danny Espinosa (2-for-6, 3B, RBI, 2 K).
Nats' worst vs. Jurrjens -- Michael Morse (0-for-6, 3 K), Alex Cora (1-for-8), Jayson Werth (4-for-21, 3 BB, 3 K).
Nats' best vs. Lowe -- Jonny Gomes (4-for-9, 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Rick Ankiel (3-for-7, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K), Danny Espinosa (3-for-8, HR, 2 RBI, K), Ryan Zimmerman (14-for-46, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB, 3 K).
Nats' worst vs. Lowe -- Wilson Ramos (1-for-8, 3 K), Alex Cora (2-for-13, 2B, RBI), Michael Morse (2-for-15, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 5 K).
Nats' best vs. Beachy -- Danny Espinosa (2-for-3, K), Jayson Werth (2-for-5, K), Michael Morse (1-for-2, RBI, K).
Nats' worst vs. Beachy -- Ian Desmond (0-for-3, 2 K).
ATLANTA BATTERS VS. WASHINGTON PITCHERS
Braves' best vs. Hernandez -- Chipper Jones (27-for-81, 12 2B, 3B, HR, 17 RBI, 12 BB, 8 K), Martin Prado (12-for-29, 3 2B, HR, RBI, K), Jason Heyward (4-for-14, 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 7 BB, 2 K).
Braves' worst vs. Hernandez -- Alex Gonzalez (7-for-56, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 11 K), Dan Uggla (5-for-33, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 5 K), Michael Bourn (1-for-6, K).
Braves' best vs. Lannan -- Alex Gonzalez (7-for-15, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 K), Dan Uggla (7-for-18, HR, 2 RBI, 5 BB, K), Chipper Jones (9-for-28, 2B, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K).
Braves' worst vs. Lannan -- David Ross (0-for-9, BB, K), Jason Heyward (1-for-9, 2 BB, K), Michael Bourn (3-for-12, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 K).
Braves' best vs. Wang -- Eric Hinske (13-for-30, 5 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K), Chipper Jones (2-for-6, BB), Michael Bourn (1-for-2).
Braves' worst vs. Wang -- Julio Lugo (6-for-36, 2B, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 6 K), Alex Gonzalez (0-for-2, 2 RBI).
61 comments:
So what 2nd tier prospects could the Nats have sent to Houston for Bourn???
Where did Rizzo go wrong?
NatStat EXACTLY! Rizzo with no long-term CF at the deadline = EPIC FAIL!
The Nationals are not in contention for anything. There is abslutely no need to do anything until after the season, plus there are some bona fide C.F.ers coming up through the system.
The Braves 2nd teir players are our top tier. One day we will catch up, but we are not there yet.
Folks, the deadline has come and gone. There was no deal that Mike Rizzo felt was worth the price. I see no "fail" here. There is a strong organization being built. A questionable health risk like Span isn't worth Storen. Period. Bourn will command a huge increase after the season. We've got five high draftees to sign, none of them coming cheap, all of them have great potential. Nobody wanted Coffey, Burnette, or Gorzalany. I honestly think that next year we will be in a dogfight for playoff contention and two years from now we will the first of many division titles, but that will never happen if we trade away our rising stars for malcontent head cases like B.J. Upton and/or health head cases like Span. If we could have gotten Span for Roger Bernadina, and a throw-in, maybe you pull the trigger. At least we won't be watching Stairs walking back to the dugout anymore. GYFNG!!!
why would you waste time and energy on something that has already happened and can't be changed?
(unless thats just how you live your life)
Impressed with an entire month of 0.00 era for the top 3 brave relievers. Can't imagine that has been done before.
Seamhead - agree totally and the signings will now take center stage - can't imagine we will get all five but if just Purke walks then I will be impressed. Rendon is obviously the key but he really doesn't have the options that Purke and the CF'r do. Hate that it takes till the end of the signing period for these guys. I loved how Storen signed right after being drafted and was working his way up the system in his very first year.
Go Nats
Joe Seamhead has it right. Let's get those draft picks signed and move on. Over the next few weeks we'll get to gilmpse our real future when we see Stras, Peacock, and Millone on the mound. Go Nats!
sjm308 said...
Impressed with an entire month of 0.00 era for the top 3 brave relievers. Can't imagine that has been done before.
-------------------
They can't keep that up. I say they're due for a couple (count em) bad outings. Seriously.
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On the Rizzo front, I agree. Why waste energy on water under the bridge????
GYFNG!
I agree with the moving -on theory - 2 weeks to the signing deadline ( is that right?). I wish the system was not designed this way - all of this time since the draft where nobody is doing anything because they are just waiting for the deadline.I think a shorter time period is in order so that everyone can get playing time before the season ends and the players go into the offseason Agreed that it was awesome that Storen signed quickly and started to play. It's like getting an extra full season ahead of the others since the minor leagues will start winding down soon.First - trades, next- signing draft picks, then September call ups ( which I happens to like a lot).If we spend the rest of the season auditioning pitchers and cf candidates for next year, some of the playing is not going to be pretty. I am actually ok with that because if we are going to lose, it will be for a purpose - to get better for next year and not because our regular players have folded. I am hoping that after the last two days where the defense was better ( don't think we will see Zim throwing well until next spring training) and the play was more focused - that the team is back on a better track. Let's get a streak going! We played well against Jurrgens last time.
Tonight is $1 Monday, and while the el cheapo tickets are sold out, the rest of the deasl are still good ($1 hotdogs, popcorn, peanuts, and parking). Hope some of the Insiders will be there.
And don't forget that Wednesday's day game is Geezer (err, Senior) Day. Lots of $1 tickets available for that game.
http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/MLBEventInfo?agency=WSHNB2B63&pid=6952229&tfl=Washington_Nationals-Tickets-Ticket_Specials-na-b1
The Nats also have a special for Business Professionals that day: $10 off the regular ticket price.
Bourn can be a free agent after 2012. A team like the Nats, which is not in contention this year, shouldn't be giving up prospects for a short-term addition as Bourn would have been.
By contrast, Span has a contract that could keep him with his current team through 2015. Whether or not you think the Nats should have traded for him, that's a key reason why they would have been interested in Span, and not Bourn: if they had traded for Span, they would have had certainty that he could be in CF for years to come.
markfd said...
NatStat EXACTLY! Rizzo with no long-term CF at the deadline = EPIC FAIL!
August 1, 2011 10:25 AM
Mark, Rizzo has failed because he loses sight of the larger picture. He could have given up comparable players + Bernadina for Bourn that would have 1 upped the Atlanta deal. Add to that the Comp picks you receive after next season when Bourn heads to Free Agency will more than makeup for what you lost. The Nats AA and AAA is loaded with guys like Mock, JD Martin, Stammen, and other pitchers who could be traded for a bag of balls. Schafer was the only value in that trade for Bourn and Bernadina is a better player than Schafer. Like you said, EPIC FAIL!
Instead, Rizzo concentrated on Span. Only thing I am happy about is that he didn't trade for Upton.
Also, the good news is Storen is still here. As bad as the bullpen is, I just can't imagine how bad this team would be with highlighting just Tyler Clippard.
Feel Wood said...
The Braves relief staff has taken over 144 unherited runners and only allowed 31 to score which is .28 per game which is less than 1/2 of what the Nats bullpen has allowed.
Then you have the Phillies that have a bullpen that has only allowed 19 inherited runners to score.
You do know why this is, don't you? It's not because the Braves/Phillies bullpens are that good compared with the Nats. It's because both of those teams have starting pitchers who go deep into games. (Not just one or two of their starters, either. Virtually ALL of their starters.) Also their starters work their way out of their own jams more often than not, meaning their relievers face fewer situations where they have to deal with inherited runners. A byproduct of this is that whenever there is a situation where they need to bring a reliever in with runners on, that reliever is likely to be one of their better ones since it's probably the 8th inning when it happens and not the 5th or 6th.
No team has a staff of seven shutdown relievers. The reason you think the Nats bullpen is so much worse than other teams' bullpens is because the Nats are forced to use all seven of their relievers in high leverage situations, while teams with starting staffs like the Phillies and Braves only need to use their top three or four relievers in such times.
August 1, 2011 11:44 AM ]
Not true with the Braves. The Nats relievers have collectively pitched within 8 total innings of relief. Hardly a statistical variance worth discussing with all the extra inning games, etc.
I laugh when I read the Rizzo fail comments because we won't give up our young players right now. How quick we forget how horrid our minor league talent has been and how for once we have some serious young talent down there, all young, all with potential. Giving them away simply puts us back to square one. You look at the teams trading away their young talent; they are either a player away from contention or have a stocked arm system, neither which applies to the Nats. Stay the course Rizzo; I know it isn't sexy not to make the big deal but we are on the right track.
SCNatsFan, there is s difference between youth and Minor League players and true top prospects. The Astros got swindled on that Bourn trade as they got bodies and only Schafer appears promising and as SteveM said, when Bourn departs will most likely get 2 comp picks. Rizzo has plenty of "never will be" players in the Minors.
Still, you are right that Bourn is short-term and with that said I still do that deal because you aren't giving up much.
SteveM, not to be critical on relief innings, the better way to compare is starters innings vs. starters innings on both teams to take out extra inning variance.
Mark'd, thanks. I should have done it that way and it proves that perception Feel Wood is not reality.
Nats starters pitched 626 innings and the Braves are at 637. So 11 innings difference. Not a big difference at 107 games pitched.
The Nats relievers just appear to work harder because they are not good overall.
Mark'd said...
SCNatsFan, there is s difference between youth and Minor League players and true top prospects. The Astros got swindled on that Bourn trade as they got bodies and only Schafer appears promising and as SteveM said, when Bourn departs will most likely get 2 comp picks. Rizzo has plenty of "never will be" players in the Minors.
Every team has plenty of "never will be" players in the Minors. That's why they're in the minors. The Nats' system has improved by leaps and bounds over the past two years of Rizzo's tenure. Don't take my word for it - take the word of Baseball America and of Minor League Baseball dot com.
Still, you are right that Bourn is short-term and with that said I still do that deal because you aren't giving up much.
Do what deal? Have you considered the possibility that Houston values the prospects from Atlanta differently than you do? Do you know what players in the Nationals organization Houston considered to be the equivalent? I can tell you what I might view as an equivalent deal, but my opinion doesn't matter - what matters is the valuation placed by the people actually making the trades. And they both have to agree for it to happen.
Feel Wood, it is interesting the whole situation with inherited runners. The Braves relievers took on 144 inherited runners but only allowed 31 of them to score vs. the Nats 187 inherited runners and 63 which is more than double the Braves standard with far less chances and that is good almost for a net 5 less wins and 5 more losses according pythagorean. Add another 3 1/2 wins that were lost to just earned runs by the relievers and that is the difference between a 58-49 W/L record.
Its all in theory and the Nats team ERA is 3.72 vs. the Braves at 3.26 so the biggest difference is actually in the relievers.
Rizzo didn't go wrong in spite of that fool Jeff Passan and Captain Segway Jim Bowden I believe Rizzo did exactly right.
Drew Storen, a top up and coming developing closer for ? Span? A guy coming off of a concussion still making AAA rehab starts, a guy the Twins no longer want? Do you think Atlanta would trade a top closer like Kimbrel for a CF? They had the same problem? Well did they? Foolish hamsters, trades are for really good GM's not fans.
Meanwhile, Morgan continues to tear it up for Milwaukee. Me thinks we can thank Werth and Riggleman for that one.
Instead, Rizzo concentrated on Span. Only thing I am happy about is that he didn't trade for Upton.
Actually, that's why the deal likely didn't go down. And you know what? Upton makes more sense if he is signed on long-term. He is younger. Younger than a lot of guys currently in the starting lineup yet has experience along with a still very high ceiling.
I'm sure you said the same thing about Morgan. Both you, Werth, and Riggleman. Look at Morgan now.
I think Rizzo knows talent better than you do. That's for damned sure.
Span's numbers in AAA: .205/.231/.436 And you want to trade Storen and more for this??? Are you closet Twins fans, anxious for revenge for the Capps-Ramos trade?
The marvels of the Internet!
I opened what I thought was a Nats Insider thread and instead, found myself in an MLB GM meeting.
Is it ironic that my "codeword" to post this message is "shist?' Just one letter off.
If and when Rizzo signs all the remaining top draft picks. EPIC VICTORY. It would lack the depth but the Nats system would then exceed the Braves and Marlins because of where those prospects would be ranked. Especially the three pitchers Meyer, Purke, and Turnbull (the latter two lefties). Rendon might steal the #1 ranking from Harper. Imagine that? The top 2 prospects in the majors belonging to the Nationals? Throw in Meyer who ostensibly could be #3 if he manages to learn control in the FIL/GCL/Vermont. Enormous ceiling. Hopefully as a starter and not as a, yes he has the tools, a closer.
Span's numbers in AAA: .205/.231/.436 And you want to trade Storen and more for this??? Are you closet Twins fans, anxious for revenge for the Capps-Ramos trade?
EXACTLY. Especially uber Twins fan Ben Goessling not to mention Amanda Comack.
I'm looking at Morgan now. They're not letting him run, that's for sure. 6 stolen bases all year, none since the All-Star Break.
Also, the Brewers are platooning him, so they don't consider him their "everyday" CF.
His OBP since the All-Star Break is .344 and he has not walked once (struck out 11 times).
Not sure he is the ideal CF/leadoff hitter.
flynnie321 said...
"Span's numbers in AAA: .205/.231/.436 And you want to trade Storen and more for this??? Are you closet Twins fans, anxious for revenge for the Capps-Ramos trade?"
2047 ML plate appearances and Span has a .289 BA and a .366 OBP and you want to focus on 40 PAs this season on a rehab assignment?
Please tell me you were just too lazy to spend much time looking up his stats.
We have a rare and wonderful privilege tonight in getting to watch Livo pitch for our team. I don't know how many more times it will happen - I hope for at least 5 more Jamie Moyer-like years - but we should treasure each outing. One reason I like Livo is that, unlike Richard Corey, he is not "imperially thin." And I grew up loving Phil Niekro. He's like watching Niekro or Jamie Moyer or Maddux or Trevor Hoffman (of whom Paul LoDuca once said, after striking out - "it's like his change-up has a parachute on it!") I like that Livo goaded Lannan into hitting better. I like his pre-game meal of pancakes, and that he watches re-plays of his home runs and shouts, "Throw me that change-up, bitch!" I hope he helps himself tonight, knocks another one out of the park. He has this "everyman" quality, this indomitability, that inspires me to get up off the deck another day and go another round.
Anonymous, whoever you are, knock yourself out. Call me lazy, you'll get no argument from me. It's easy enough to identify yourself - you can choose a profile &post. From your tone, I guess you've p.o'd too many people to identify yourself. I remain serene. As far as Span's stats are concerned, I'm only interested in post-concussion stats. Your optimism tickles me, though. You assume that a ballplayer who is seeing double for two months is going to return to pre-injury form, and would merrily ship off elite talent in that hope. How cute! Let's go eat a dozen hot Krispy Kremes while you're at it so we can lose weight!
Its all in theory and the Nats team ERA is 3.72 vs. the Braves at 3.26 so the biggest difference is actually in the relievers.
I've lost track of your point, if indeed you ever had one - other than to say "Look at me, I'm so smart!" Are you saying the Nats relievers aren't as good overall as the Braves relievers are, therefore that's why the Braves are winning more? If so, then I say "Well, duh." Are you saying that if the Nats relievers were used differently from a situational perspective that the team's record would be better? If so, then I would also beg to differ. It's not as simple as that. You can't just say "never use this guy when runners are on board" and other such bromides, because that would have the same three or four relievers pitching all the innings and the other guys riding the pine. If Riggleman/Davey had done that, those three or four guys would be burned out by now. And if you say "well, just use those guys who suck when the team's behind or in a mop-up role" you can't then claim that the inherited runners they allowed to score in those situations cost the team the game, because in those situations the game was already lost.
Just because you say "it's so simple even a caveman could do it", that doesn't mean it is.
Gecko or Geico? Is it really that easy? Maybe we all should go for a smoothie...
Take the series from these little totem poles!
GYFNG!!!
I love me some flynnie...... :)
"Meanwhile, Morgan continues to tear it up for Milwaukee."
His stats for Milwaukee are virtually identical to the line he put up in DC in late 2009, in pretty much the same number of ABs. So yeah, maybe it would be nice to have some of that, if he can keep it up. But he couldn't keep it up in DC, so why expect he'll be able to do it in Milwaukee?
There is no exact science yet in predicting the future so past stats and due diligence, scouting skills and luck are the main factors.
You know your own Minor Leaguers better than Sickels and Baseball America so trading AJ Morris and Michael Burgess for Tom Gorzelanny is your calculated risk. Nobody wants to go Expos and be the GM that traded Randy Johnson, Larry Walker, Pedro Martinez and Cliff Lee.
The Braves stole Michael Bourn. Ed Wade was rated by Bowden and others a F on that deal.
Span wasn't worth the risk neither was Upton. Bourn was worth the risk.
Why thank you and back at you, United Nations Terrapin!
Worse still, Cliff lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips for....
I wonder if Mr. Rizzo remembered Red Sox Nick Esasky. Wonderful 1st baseman. I used to watch him at Fenway. Unusual stance - batted "sitting in a chair." 277/.355/.500 WAR 3.4. Signed as free agent for $5.5M by the Braves, which they had to pay even though he was disabled by vertigo. When the Braves signed him, I thought it was a steal. You can be too careful, but failing to ship Storen+ to the Twins for Denard Span was not too careful.
Take a second look, Serene flynnie.... That was Unkyd... Not Unterp ;)
I just like seeing a good-humored Anon takedown....Thanks!
I love me some flynnie, too. Viva Livo!
Me, three, Jane and Unk. And some Livo, natch!
"I'm only interested in post-concussion stats."
Then mention that in your original post next time!
I'm honored JaneB! That last start in Atlanta had Livo hating life until he exorcised it with pitching in Houston that had Dave shouting "What a masterful performance!" I hope for his sake that he does well tonight.
"which they had to pay even though [Esasky] was disabled by vertigo."
They never discovered what caused it.
Hey, 1a, you always brighten the corner where you are! An unkyd, were you with the United Nationsas was unterp, or are you protesting the youth culture to which our nation is enslaved?
Esasky's vertigo came from a viral infection in his ear. Span's came from a concussion. No way do I send Storen+ until Span's back to spiffy.
The Livan we have all known and loved the past few years can have several disappointing outings followed by a gem. Its time for the gem as his last two starts have not been that great. There is nothing better then watching that 64 mph curve float over the plate as the batter has already swung twice. A win in the first game in this series would be huge. I am not thinking playoffs but this is a really good Atlanta team and momentum in a series like this is important.
I want to make another point. Jason Werth was quoted talking about making the playoffs. In the last five years has anyone else heard any of our players doing this? I realize he has not had a great or even a good season but I like his attitude. Dunn never talked playoffs, Willingham did not, not even Ryan Z. This guy brings a lot more the batting ave. and ops to our team and if he continues to talk about it, the young guys will also buy in. I for one am impressed and I realize the anons will jump in with stats and moans about how horrible this deal was but I think its turning us in the right direction.
Go Nats Go Flynnie Go everyone!!
"Your optimism tickles me, though. You assume that a ballplayer who is seeing double for two months is going to return to pre-injury form, and would merrily ship off elite talent in that hope."
Where in my post did I say I was in favor of the trade? I would assume the only way you trade for Span, not really knowing how he'll recover, is if you could steal him for next to nothing. The rumors of Storen and Lombardozzi are not next to nothing.
And I don't eat Krispy Kreme.
Unkyd: short for Uncle Dave. I'll be 52, in a few weeks, and ever since my (much) older brother's wife provided me with my first nephew, when I was 3 1/2, most of my acquaintance knows me as Uncle Dave-or Unkyd... I believe the family Doc hung the handle on me.... I WAS born in College Park, though, in keeping with the Terp theme...
GYFNGOGOGO!!!!!
flynnie321 said...
"Esasky's vertigo came from a viral infection in his ear."
Just one of several possible causes and probably the leading "suspect." The cause has never been pinned down.
And the rest of us don't pay attention to RUMORS!
Unkyd - love the nickname - I have two. Grumps or grumpa to my one grandchild and Gruncle to my sisters kids. Guess I am a little gruff at times to earn those but I feel my heart is in the right place. Would be very upset if people started calling me anon or neganon, has to be the lowest of titles.
Go Nats Go Flynnie Go Terps Hell, go anons!
So Unkyd is kinda like Unk Donald (that would be Mr. Duck), as monikers go.
sjm, I would never have pegged you for a grump.
thanks natsfan1a - actually I am the exact opposite which is why I think its funny
Ouch, just did some research on Livan, he has not won since June 26th - lets get the mojo working tonight insiders!
sjm308, Danny also talked about playoffs right after ASB. When we had Dunn or Willingham, we were never close to .500 this late in seasons before to think about playoffs.
Glad Storen is still with us. I don't like to part with homegrown talent of his level.
Seems like I may have heard such talk from Desmond at one point, too. Also Ballester, if memory serves, but that might have been in the spring (the time of baseball hope as opposed to the bitter recriminations of winter).
Balester, rather.
"the anons will jump in with stats and moans"
sjm
Well-said!!! Hear him! Hear him!
"And I don't eat Krispy Kreme."
My guess is that you prefer An Briosca Mor.
I never thought that I'd want to get in the way back machine and return Willingham for Bonifacio, who beat the Braves yesterday with a homer.
sjm308 said...
I want to make another point. Jason Werth was quoted talking about making the playoffs. In the last five years has anyone else heard any of our players doing this? I realize he has not had a great or even a good season but I like his attitude. Dunn never talked playoffs, Willingham did not, not even Ryan Z. This guy brings a lot more the batting ave. and ops to our team and if he continues to talk about it, the young guys will also buy in. I for one am impressed and I realize the anons will jump in with stats and moans about how horrible this deal was but I think its turning us in the right direction.
Go Nats Go Flynnie Go everyone!!
August 1, 2011 3:28 PM
SteveM308, I didn't see the quote of what Werth said about playoffs so if you can paste the link I would love to read it.
One of my business partners knows Jayson from LA and I got to go along for the ride with Werth during the Angels series. He is such a positive person when he talks about the Nats team.
Jayson talked it and I believed it. He compared the Nats to teams he had been on before. His first full season in the Majors he actually went to the playoffs with the Dodgers and had a great postseason. He compared this year's Nats to the 2007 Phillies where 89 wins got them into the playoffs winning the NL East.
So maybe he drank too much Kool-Aid to make that comparison but at that point in June where the Nats needed another winning streak to go for it, they could have been in the hunt.
If players don't believe in their own team, how can they win? I want June 8th 2010 every home game at Nats Park.
This team is closer than many think. The core is there. If Rizzo can get a true #3 starter, 2 more bullpen guys, and LaRoche comes back healthy, this team will compete. Players like Rendon, Marrero, Lombardozzi, Milone and Peacock can impact this team.
Steve M.
Don't forget to include our young Prince Oppo. Boppo when talking players that can soon have an impact on this team? Bryce is the real deal!
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