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Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER
Stephen Strasburg starts today's series finale at Nationals Park.
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And the Nationals better hope the right-hander is a bit more successful today than he was last week in Miami when he was torched for a career-high seven runs in five innings. He'll be facing the Cardinals for the first time, leaving only two NL clubs he's never gone up against (the Reds and Brewers).
Veteran Jake Westbrook gets the nod for St. Louis, which will try to maintain its lead for the final wild-card berth in the NL and salvage a four-game series split.
I'm off today, but never fear: Chase Hughes of CSNwashington.com has the keys to the blog and will be providing updates all afternoon from the park...
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, Ch. 50, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500 AM), XM 185
Weather: Scattered storms, 84 degrees, Wind 4 mph in from RF
NATIONALS (80-52)
RF Bryce Harper
CF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Michael Morse
1B Chad Tracy
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Stephen Strasburg
CARDINALS (72-61)
CF Jon Jay
RF Carlos Beltran
LF Matt Holliday
1B Allen Craig
3B David Freese
C Bryan Anderson
SS Pete Kozma
2B Daniel Descalso
RHP Jake Westbrook
UMPIRES
HP Mike Winters (cc)
1B Mark Wegner
2B Mike Muchlinski
3B Wally Bell
10:58 a.m. -- Chase here at Nats Park getting ready for Cardinals and Nats. The forecast for today says it should just be cloudy with a 10-20% chance of rain, but we'll see. It is definitely overcast, but nothing too ominous.
11:52 a.m. -- Still waiting for the Nats lineups as noon approaches, it sounds like they are being cautious with Jayson Werth after he left last night's game.
1:12 p.m. -- Werth is indeed in the lineup, LaRoche will sit with Tracy at first. The forecast on Weather.com has changed dramatically in the last few hours. It now looks like rain is headed this way. Could be a delay at some point.
1:20 p.m. -- Light rain coming down at Nats Park as the game is set to start in about 15 minutes. Rain is very light, but if it picks up we could have problems.
1:24 p.m. -- Expected start time has been pushed back to 1:45 p.m. now.
1:45 p.m. -- Werth has been scratched late, Harper to RF and Bernadina to CF. Perhaps the wet fields changed their mind about Werth and his hamstring.
2:01 p.m. -- The Nats escaped the top of the first with the score still tied at 0-0, but it was made interesting by two plays. First, Matt Holliday stretched a single into a double off of Strasburg. Then, Ryan Zimmerman made a throwing error to first after a diving stop, instead of the inning being over Strasburg had to face Freese with two men on. Stras was able to strike him out and prevent any real damage.
2:09 p.m. -- Quick inning for the Nats as they are set down in order. Both Harper and Zimmerman flew out with deep balls. Westbrook took half (13) as many pitches as Strasburg (26) did to get out of the first.
2:16 p.m. -- Strasburg moves quickly through the top of the second with his 189th and 190th strikeouts of the season before Descalso flied out to end the frame. Stras has 40 pitches (27 strikes) through two.
2:30 p.m. -- Nats got something going in the bottom of the inning. Tracy hit a one out single and was moved to second on a single to right by Espinosa. Suzuki went down 0-2 with two outs, but worked a walk to load the bases. Strasburg then struck out on three pitches to end the inning. Still 0-0.
2:35 p.m. -- Strasburg gets them out one-two-three in the third. Westbrook flew out to deep center, Jay struck out watching a low fastball, then Beltran grounded out to Espinosa. Only took eight pitches to set them down, he now has 48 with 33 of them strikes.
2:46 p.m. -- The Nats got two men on with some two-out hitting as Zimmerman and Morse each singled to right. The inning ended quickly though after Tracy grounded to short. Made Westbrook work a little as he now has 53 pitches through three.
2:56 p.m. -- The Cardinals got two guys on in the fourth. First Craig got to second on another throwing error by Zimmerman (his second of the game). Then Freese walked on a wild pitch to set up men on first and third with one out. Bryan Anderson then flew out to right and Craig decided to tag up. Harper caught the ball and gunned him out at home and the crowd went nuts. 6th outfield assist of the year for Harper. Still 0-0.
3:01 p.m. -- Kurt Suzuki takes an 0-1 pitch and knocks a solo homer to left field. 1-0 Nats.
3:15 p.m. -- Strasburg gets out of the fifth by striking out two and getting Descalso to ground out. He has thrown 80 pitches (52 strikes) through five innings of work. 7 Ks, 1 H, 1 BB. That's good right?
3:24 p.m. -- Nats go down in order once again, the inning was capped by a swinging strikeout by Michael Morse. Both Strasburg and Westbrook have thrown exactly 80 pitches (52 strikes) through five. Still 1-0 Nats.
3:32 p.m. -- Strasburg let up a single to Matt Holliday in the sixth, but didn't let him advance. He struck out two batters to bring his total for the day to nine. The last was his 195th of the season. Likely won't see him again today as he finished the 6th with 97 pitches. 1-0 Nats with Tracy, Desmond, and Espinosa due up.
3:50 p.m. -- The Nats plate another run, this one off a Kurt Suzuki single to center field to score Ian Desmond. Pretty good day for him, not only the homer and the RBI single but he made a nice scoop on Harper's throw to home in the fourth. The Nats are up 2-0 as the 7th is set to begin, Sean Burnett in to replace Strasburg.
4:05 p.m. -- Burnett had no problem with the first two batters, but with two outs he allowed a single to Kozma and then a homer to Descalso. Descalso tied the game with a shot to right field that fell into the Nats' bullpen. Mattheus replaced Burnett and threw a wild pitch before hitting Jay with another errant throw. He got out of the mess and it is 2-2 as we head to the bottom of the 7th. Lance Lynn takes the mound for St. Louis.
4:37 p.m. -- The Nats scored two in the bottom of the 7th off RBI singles by Ian Desmonda and Danny Espinosa. The Cards got another run in the top of the 8th with a double by Tony Cruz, but were held in check as we head to the bottom of the eight. Nats 4, Cardinals 3. Nats are up with Clippard warming in the pen.
4:44 p.m. -- Ready or not, here we go to the ninth with Clippard on the mound. He will look for the save in a 4-3 ballgame.
4:50 p.m. -- Clippard and the Nats hang on for win No. 81 which ties their best total since moving to D.C.
176 comments:
If you missed it yesterday because the game was still going, the Ryan Zimmerman "My Life" special on MLB Network will be repeated at 12:30 pm.
Thanks I will set the DVD
Regarding our failure to hold runners, a couple of points.
Last night on the post-game radio show, Phil Wood referred to holding runners as a "lost art." The caller was expressing great frustration about the Nats' failure in this area, and Phil seemed to be making the counterpoint that this skill is a lost art in baseball, generally, or that it is especially a lost art among relievers, generally.
I couldn't believe Phil said this. The pitchers AND relievers of 29 teams successfully practice the art of holding runners. It is not a "lost art" at all.
He also said that Davey doesn't want his relievers throwing over, because it messes up their concentration and their delivery to the plate. I know this has been kicked around already, and this is no criticism of Phil, but this is just absolutely the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life. Pitchers can't throw strikes because they hold runners? Because they throw over? Is this really the belief of Davey Johnson? -- That every single or walk against us is effectively a double?
If you check the standings, and of course all of us are doing so, you see that razor-thin winning-percentage margins are going to determine seedings for the playoffs. One win or loss is going to make a huge difference--especially for the most important regular season prize: best NL record and top seed.
I can't believe this team is ready to wizz away 2 or 3 winnable games because we believe it is unimportant for relievers to hold runners, even in close games.
What I saw yesterday, in a tie game in the 9th inning of a pennant race, was this: defensive indifference.
Picking up on the wave discussion from the previous thread: I hate the wave because it discracts me as a fan.
But I note many have said it particularly shouldn't be done when our team is in the field, because it distracts the defense.
If that's true, shouldn't we encourage it when the opponents are in the field?
I guess my overall point is that I doubt the extent to which it distracts the players, even though it most certainly does bug serious fans. I've never observed that basketball players miss more foul shots when the fans are waving snakes, etc behind the backboard, either.
Needless to say NCNatsie, I agree with you 100%.
I hope they took my suggestions on the IVs. Its disgustingly HUMID here!
It should be JFlo's turn at C.
Go strasburg
>>>I hope they took my suggestions on the IVs. Its disgustingly HUMID here!<<<
I blame part of yesterday's performance on a lack of preparation for the humidity by the trainers.
Anyone know why LaRoche is out of the line up
Manassas....I see Osbourn got routed Friday night
Go, SS! Go, NATS BATS!! Do not pass go or collect $200, Cardinals base runners (of which there should not be any, so never mind on that last one :-)).
Oh, yeah, btw, for Chase: Mark also said to make sure the tank is full when you're done and you should buy us all ice cream after the game like he always does. 0:-)
Chase Hughes of CSNwashington.com has the keys to the blog and will be providing updates all afternoon from the park...
Big Cat 1 beat down for and 1 against.
Raining here in Manassas. What is it like at the stadium?
What I saw yesterday, in a tie game in the 9th inning of a pennant race, was this: defensive indifference.
If a base is stolen because a pitcher is 2.0 to the plate like Storen was yesterday, that's not defensive indifference. That base is going to be stolen whether the defense gives a **** about it or not. There's absolutely nothing that the defense can do to stop it.
>>>Anyone know why LaRoche is out of the line up<<<
Rest.
I guess my overall point is that I doubt the extent to which it distracts the players, even though it most certainly does bug serious fans. I've never observed that basketball players miss more foul shots when the fans are waving snakes, etc behind the backboard, either.
Whether the wave distracts the pitcher or not is certainly open to question. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. But that's irrelevant. Home team fans should not be doing things that could potentially be distracting to their players. Can you give me even one reason why they should?
At the very least, when fans behind home plate are doing the wave they should raise the screen so the pitcher will have a clear shot at them. That way he can let them know whether or not it bothers him.
LaRache has not missed many games. He earned the day off.
Pchuck. Nothing on twitter about ALR.
Comak had this on the blog:
Saturday night's 10-9 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals left Nationals' right fielder Jayson Werth cramping and first baseman Adam LaRoche exhausted.
Manager Davey Johnson said last night that Werth "didn't pull nothing," and sure enough the Nats' regular right fielder will occupy his usual spot in the lineup Sunday. LaRoche, who described last night's game as "long, humid [and] draining," has been given the day off.
Yes, the trainers didn't prepare the team for the humidity.
The entire training and medical staffs need to be replaced.
I have a Stras comment not related to Shutdown-Gate..
Opposing hitters often comment on how devistating Strasburg's "Splitter" is. The Nats have always called it a "Change-up". It sure acts like a Splitfinger fastball...Is that what it really is? I ask b/c there are those who say a Split can cause elbow/arm problems...I just wonder what he is actually throwing
I was going to was my car today, but then I saw Stras was pitching, so I thought I'd wait until the rain passed. :-)
GYFNG!
Raining steady here with Nats warming up.
No Werth?
I see Morse Bernadina and Harper
There was the Change/Split...Nasty!
No real info about Werth yet Gonat...maybe the cramps from yesterday are back?
Need that replay to go a little longer, he came off the base as he stood up...Ump called safe a little early...
I actually think that's 2 bad calls this inning...Why are rookie umps doing this series??
I am reading updates as I am my granddaughter'S first birthday party. Said Tracy missed ball. Was it like LaRache makes look easy.
Shark slow to ball allows double. Then Tracy at first?? Why not more? He needs more bats...prob our best pure hitter all directions. Thank God Staus saved inning. #worried
Anyone watching a TV help us out on the 0-2 pitch to Holiday and the Bernadina throw to Espi and the Tracy play at 1st
"Moore" -- on iPhone
Straus
Gonat..the0-2 pitch to Holliday was a touch inside,per Pitch F/X
I thought Holliday was out at 2nd, as he came off the bag as he stood up
The Tracy play was really hard to tell, after 4 replays, it looked like he was out, but it was VERY close
Gonat -- from the turtle TV at my seat it looked like a bad effort by Shark as if he conceded a single. Then Espinoza tag was like slow-mo.
Swift, thanks. After the curve that froze Freese yesterday that changed the game, you hate mistakes.
Straus looks solid so far. How many 300 plus hitters they have??! My Goodness.
Agree Gonat, that blown call to Freese yesterday was a killer...
How is that NOT a split Jack?! That pitch is unbelievable!!
NIce not having Yadier in today.
Wow...A Great X-Mo shot of the Sras grip on that Circle Change...
Let me change "solid" to "silly" this is gonna be fun. That last change up was evil.
The XMo shot clearly showed the Circle Change grip...His middle finger and ring finger on the seams, pinky on the side...that thing just tumbled....
Put some pressure on them, Nats, put some pressure on them.
Wonder if CM Wang can hold runners. After Rizzo's long explanation about why he wasn't calling everyone up Davey brings back Wang? This is pure ego. How is that guy going to help this club down the stretch? He sure as heck can't hold runners if they hit his non-sinkers over the fence.
They changed the channel at green turtle for a Cincy fan...and by the time I got the manager to realize we are in DC!!! ,and put it back, I missed the inning. Can anyone recap?
There you go Jack, how about an 8 pitch 3rd?...Lol
They changed the channel at green turtle for a Cincy fan...and by the time I got the manager to realize we are in DC!!! ,and put it back, I missed the inning. Can anyone recap?
Yeah, its why I gave up ... some jackass tourist wanted to watch NASCAR and doesn't even watch ... then I get the game on .... and lo and behold some other jackass wants to watch some special basketball game. I gave up on that bar. It'll be fun to bring on the red when they are in the playoffs just to aggravate the Cubs, Angels, Dodgers, Phillies, and Giants fans ... except for the Cubbie fans they all just go for the winners ... fair weather fans.
Fielding sub standard today
Rendon looking more and more like the new third base soon.
Another round of cortisone for my friend Ryan....
What a Gift!! Don't they know who's in RF?
Well that certainly saved a few pitches. Now, about that offensive pressure...
Awesome!!!
Bryce, on the other hand, needs no medication. Great throw and great job by Suzuki .
Hah. Whatever else the Cards I offense has, their scouting stinks!
Good job Bryce and Kirk.
I mean Kurt
Great play by Suzuki. That was a very tough play.
I called the doubleplay but not the 9-2.
Capt. Kurt!!! BOOM
That's a start; keep it coming.
I think he should just get a jersey that says Kurt on the back!!!
Haha..Eugene I know you're not comfortable until they reach double figures...and yesterday showed why!...Long way to go
Make a play at the plate then hit a ding dong
Zooook!
Strasburg. stops his 0 for 12
Legion of BOOM
Swift Eagle: I'm not comfortable until the game is over -- in fact, I'm not entirely comfortable until MLB has posted it in their official standings.
Nats Jack - good point, but maybe the shot would give him more confidence in the shoulder. He looks like he's skittish about extending his arm all the way.
Wasn't Godzilla's kid 'zilla sidekick named Godzuki? Hmmmm :)
Lol. Peric. U r right!
Ok. Be honest who just saw Harp in their mind run full steam into the rail and get hurt?? Whew.....
Mr. Westbrook -- according to the TV crew -- has problems in the 4th and 5th innings. Messrs. Harper, Zimmerman, and Morse due up. I know baseball includes a lot of randomness, but this is where they need to focus and, yes, put the pressure on and score some more runs.
Haha Jack...they really should hand out ponchos for every Stras start...
Not what I had in mind.
Hmmm some of these pitches by Westbrook look like "Vaseline Balls" to me...somebody better check
As a team we still swing at a lot of balls in the dirt. Our pitchers get guys to swing at lots of bad pitches too.
I don't know all the numbers, but Stl hitters clearly have a great approach when runners are on base..very easy to see they have a game plan...Stras has had to make good pitches to get out of trouble...
That's 97 pitches. One more full inning, one hopes. Need some offense from the 5-6-7 hitters.
Bit worried to see Burnett warming up, given how he's pitched in his last few appearances.
Burnie coming in relief.
Lol..we have a lot of worrying going on here today...breathe easy folks, we have the best team in baseball...
Great AB by Ian...
Westbrook has been impressive,everything down, lots of movement...he's a pro
Swift Eagle: What, me worry?
Haha, Eugene my friend, I'm a little concerned about you watching post-season games...Happy thoughts!..We all like your posts, don't want you to be on the DL...
Great bounce back start from Stras...Only 97 pitches,but several high stress innings and some shaky defense...Only Holliday had hits
Burnett due a good performance. Last 3 outings poor.
Change of pants leg should do it.
Since others over-react to every Zim error by saying he will be replaced, I've decided to over-react to every good play by saying he is one of the best defensive third basemen ever...
Damn it.
Again as soon as he gave up the hit I had him pulled as until he reverses this terrible habit he has no rope with me.
And many are always complaining about Gorzelanny? Right now after the past two nights Gorzo looks better even as a left-handed short man.
And here comes Davey Natslady ... who do you think he is going to trust?
Not CM Wang hopefully.
My reaction exactly, Scott.
Burnett is really struggling.
Burnett got behind in the count. Credit to the batter.
Davey 0 for 2 this weekend. he allows Burnett to pitch when he is not getting ball over the plate. He did this mid June to mid July last year.
Matthews comes in and continues bullpen melt down.
And you wonder why I worry?
WTH -- anyone worried bout our pen?
First HR by a lefty v. Burnett all season...
Thanks Davey for taking out a guy who had a 2-hit shutout going with 9 K's for loser Burnett. Great move!!! Strasburg is counting the days until he can go to an organization that will just let him pitch.
Burnett does it again, very similar to his bad stretch last year. it seems like every year he has a very bad stretch where he costs games to Nats.
Decals was in a 7 for 56 slump and Burnett because he falls behind 3-1 has to throw right over the middle. Time for him to straighten up. This is not the time to slump.
Just came back from a trip. What happened to the pitching. This organization is so preoccupied with stras and the limit it is a distraction. He should have never been taken out of this game. Especially since the laroche pinch hit was a joke.
Manassas, that's it and the batter played BP with it.
Amen fear and ignorance. Another horrible job by bullpen.
How about a stolen base for the Nats at some point? No Molina today...
Nice hustle Ryan.
Oh come on SWM...you have to be kidding! I've been trying to ignore you guys, but Seriously?
man ... sure didn't take long for the Legion of Doom to show up
Your right swift. Just frustrated
Boot a ball get a double play. Harper should have been running with Zim up.
Morse hit would have knocked in a run.
Now, take advantage of that kind of play (missed foul ball).
Come on Desl
I think peeps are just concerned with poor play....no doom here! Ps: there's your steal.
Good job Desi
Now, more pressure.
There we go....Hang in there boys....And SWM the bullpen implosion frustrates me too, they need to pick it up
Great job des. Lets get a few more.
Bats been pretty good lately. Let's go!
Excellent ab by Ian, after the break on the foul popped up.
A good job by Danny there, Tracy needed a little help to score! Lol
Okay, fair enough.
Very clutch boys!!!
Good good good. Come on bull pen. Finish it
Surprised Cruz could get Desl at second. he must have hesitated around first
I meant Espi
Desi with man on 3rd and 2 outs. DEADLY!!!!
Danny was heads up there, traded an out for the run...and you guys would have been howling if he had not advanced on that throw...Some of you will NEVER be happy...
Shhhh. Let's just win baby!!
What the heck is going on with the bullpen?
I like what FP said. "2-0 feels like 10-0 when Stras was in..."
Wow really. Come on put clip in now
Maalox? Lisinopril? Bourbon? What you got, bartender?
Looks like one of those days where the Cards were happy to see anyone other than Stras...
Can our relievers pitch? This is just not smart pitching. he was ahead of the two guys who hit doubles
Haha...All of the above Eugene...with this bullpen it's going to be a wild ride!
I ordering defibrillators for everyone! It's only early Sept....yet I am concerned with the BP of nats fans. No more hot dogs n fries either!
I think the pen is getting caught up in the moment of September ball meaning something.
DeRosa as the pinch-hitter????????????? When you have Lombo and Moore????
Why Derosa over Moore? Then Moore for shark???
I have lost a few pounds fie to the fact ive been taking walks in the 9th. Btw cant take out Bernie we need him in the field.
Davey would prefer to go with vets like Tracy and DeRosa in late inning PH roles down the stretch, he has to let them hit now to see if they're viable options...
Amen Melissa
Maloox please Clip coming in.no walks please
I'm trying to take deep breaths and stay calm as I tell myself, "Marathon not a sprint, marathon not a sprint."
But I just might have to get some Maalox.
WEB GEM
Great play, Espi!!
Is Johnson nuts? Removing Bernie when we need him for defense in a one run ballgame and allowing the Iron gloved Moore to play in left? He is insane.
Curly W 81!!!! Isn't this great?
Stras deserves this win. Well, him and GODZUKI
Swim - good point about the bullpen feeling the playoff heat. They have been clutch all year, but September baseball is a whole different level of pressure.
And with Matheus on the ropes, why isnt the bullpen working? He didn't get Gonzalez up until Matheus went 3-0 to the last batter.
Davey is good in the clubhouse; and absolute DOLT on field manager. He is rather STUPID.
Somebody check on Eugene..you good bro? 3 of 4 over the Cards...4 games against the Cubs now, shouldn't be too tough...Lol
Great Win Nationals!!!!!
You did it inspite of a Knuckleheaded, too old to field manager Davey Johnson.
Nice quick inning from Clip. 3 out of 4 from the Cards! Way to go Nats!
Stras does deserve this win, but that ain't the way it goes.
Suzuki is starting to pay off -- good job, Rizzo.
Now that was good pitching Clip
Great series, 3 out 4 against the WS champs...Fantastic work from Stras and the Manager of the Year Davey Johnson...
Cue MicheleS...
:-)
Another win, another series win. Work the plan fellas, work the plan. Haven't read game thread, I'm sure there were plenty of histrionics.
Kudos to Zuki. Stepping up just like a good Nat should.
Can someone remind Johnson that you strengthen your defense in the late innings in a close ball game, not the opposite.
Davey sits Werth today when Werth was 4-4 and hits Westbrook like he owns him. Another stupid move.
Had to miss a chunk of the 9th because of a mini-crisis at home, but got to see the final two outs; wow! Wasn't sure that -- the Curly W -- was going to happen.
Scott M: please send one of those defibrillators to Oregon; stat.
Now, as for the Cubs, put some pressure on them early and keep it on.
Thanks Davey for taking out a guy who had a 2-hit shutout going with 9 K's for loser Burnett. Great move!!! Strasburg is counting the days until he can go to an organization that will just let him pitch.
He was at 100 pitches. So, let's listen to a moron with a moron's name like fear and ignorance and ignore world famous orthopedic surgeons. Right and let's go to Disneyland or Fantasy Island.
If we had Showalter, this Nats team would already be at 88-90 wins.
Magic number playoff number 20 for division 23
Can we trade Davey Johnson to the Phillies?
Whoever Johnson yelled "Well, then you come down and manage the team" should do just that. Half a dozen people on this forum could field manage better than Davey.
Now to clarify: There is no one better in the clubhouse than Davey -- he would make a good Bench coach -- or maybe Cheerleader. Otherwise, he is a stupid, stupid ass. Today, this game was won In Spite of Davey, not because of him.
Why Derosa over Moore? Then Moore for shark???
Wanted to get everyone some work.
There's no understanding why he would keep using DeRosa or CM Wang! Who is now also on the roster? Two complete FAILS this season. Davey isn't perfect and both of those players were definitely all his idea.
Swift loves him some Davey. NFJ -- I feel ya , but this board has taught me to be patient with Davey. He looks like a genius at times and foolish at times....but we gotta trust him....GYFNG!
If we had Showalter, we'd be playing in a weaker division, so you are correct.
Peric -- shark n Moore have impressive pinch numbers. Why is Derosa on this team?
NFJ - the team's record indicates that Davey has not cost them many games. You doth protest too much, methinks.
Lol. Natsfanjim--- u crack me up.
Scott, what exactly is foolish about the best record in MLB? Have you watched the Nats in past years? Nobody's perfect, but The guy has been fabulous all year...
Last time I checked, you Can't do any better than 1st...
Natsjack - you are correct that Davey is still developing the players he wants to play well in the postseason. Putting them in new situations is part of that, because it says he trusts them. His influence and patience is the reason why the younger players have shown so much improvement and poise this year.
Swift I agree...mostly. But IMO davey has made some...let's say "baffling" moves. Like Derosa in and Shark out going to one run 9th.
@ NatsFanJim
First clean up your language. This is and will always be a kid friendly site.
Second, I couldn't disagree with you more on Davey. He has these guys playing at a level we did not expect this year. You may disagree with his moves but his results prove you wrong.
I understand if you disagree with him Scott, but he has reasons for those moves...he wants to get DeRosa ABs and he want'sto be able to use Moore as a late inning PH and replacement. So he has to do that now. he can't wait until the playoffs to just throw them out there...
I think after watching that Press address that Davey is an incredible behind the scene and clubhouse manager. I don't think anyone should get upset if some people question field decisions...but since I have a 6 and 8 year old watching this let's all do as djinFl. Says and keep it clean.
I hadn't considered the idea of Davey testing the bench guys to see who can hold up to the pressure--thanks to everyone who offered up that.
Glad for the win in spite of the gut-churningness of it all!
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