Friday, July 12, 2013

Game 93: Nats at Marlins

USA Today Sports Images
Here's the situation the Nationals have put themselves in: After dropping three of four in Philadelphia, they now have to take two of three in Miami or else go into the All-Star break one game over the .500 mark (at best). Considering they were four games over at the start of the week, that would be a significant disappoint.

The Nationals have no one to blame but themselves for this predicament, and they better be careful not to overlook the Marlins, who may own the NL's worst record but who have been playing much better baseball of late. Did you know Miami is 20-16 since May 31, tops in the NL East? (The Nats, if you're wondering, are 20-18 since then.)

The good news: Stephen Strasburg is on the mound for his final start of the first half, and he's facing his favorite opponent. In 10 career starts against the Marlins, Strasburg is 5-2 with a 2.77 ERA, including a dominating performance against them this year on Opening Day.

I'm not in Miami this weekend, taking a couple of days off before heading up to New York for the All-Star festivities. Please enjoy the conversation as always here...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MIAMI MARLINS
Where: Marlins Park
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 185
Weather: Indoors
NATIONALS (47-45)
CF Denard Span
SS Ian Desmond
LF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Stephen Strasburg

MARLINS (33-57)
LF Justin Ruggiano
3B Ed Lucas
RF Giancarlo Stanton
1B Logan Morrison
OF Marcell Ozuna
2B Derek Dietrich
SS Adeiny Hechavarria
C Rob Brantly
RHP Nathan Eovaldi

UMPIRES
HP Jerry Layne
1B Hunter Wendelstedt (cc)
2B Al Porter
3B Mike Estabrook

445 comments:

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natsfan1a said...

Nice pic. I knew their attendance wasn't great but dang. What? Oh. Never mind.

Go, SS! Fry those fish!

Section 222 said...

Cool picture, though the panoramic effect understates the horrificness of that giant green sea sculpture thingy out in centerfield.

Tcostant said...

This is almost a must win, considering the starters the next two days. You want to go into the break with at least a series win and w/o a win tonight that would be hard.

David Proctor said...

I can imagine more than a few players staying in Miami to vacation after this series is over.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Mark writes...I'm not in Miami this weekend, taking a couple of days off before heading up to New York for the All-Star festivities. Please enjoy the conversation as always here...


That is a smart tradeoff.

baseballswami said...

I seriously hope they are not already on vacation mentally. The Marlins are a young and hungry team. Remember when the Nats were like that?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section 222 said...
Cool picture


That's a good picture of what it looks like before the players take the field. Total "real" attendence about 145 people and that includes the fans, ushers and workers.

sjm308 said...

Swami - as Mark noted, the Marlins are playing well lately but in looking at that lineup I am stumped. I try and read box scores on a daily basis but except for Stanton and Morrison I honestly don't have a clue who the rest of these guys are. I will be staying away until after the game but feel like Tcostant that this first game is a must.

Go Nats!!

sjm308 said...

Ghost - just wondering how many games they open the roof for and if there are stats as to how the place plays with it open or closed?

Holden Baroque said...

With the game a few hours away and some time to kill, I seem to have piqued my own interest (if no one else's) in wondering about renting Kendrys Morales from Seattle. He's not even that expensive, I see, and he's only 30.

$5,250,000 (half of which he already has, remember), 3rd-Year Arb Eligible, Earliest Free Agent: 2014

Hmmm.

Holden Baroque said...

So Seattle traded Jason Vargas to get him, who was, roughly, Detwiler, only three years older and more expensive. So that's only a good deal if you don't think much of Detwiler.

Anonymous said...

Tcostant said...

"This is almost a must win, considering the starters the next two days."


Come on, it's not like we're facing the Tigers with Verlander pitching Saturday and Scherzer pitching Sunday. They'll have a pretty decent shot to win each of the next two. Yes, not as good a shot as they have tonight, but it wouldn't exactly be the "Miracle by the Tacky Scuplture" if they won Saturday and Sunday.

Unknown said...

It is a must win kind of game tonight. Silly to say that about a July, pre All Star game, but this is our Ace against a foundering club and we need a statement win. We need this series badly. A sweep would help a bunch.

sjm308 said...

More sucking up:

Just dropped by Natslady's blog and the information was valuable and interesting. How great that you have created and maintained this. Keep up the good work.

Don said...

Really? We're relying on the Nats having a "decent shot" to beat this or that guy after they treaded water aginst a bunch of sub .500 clubs? They gotta win this series, they gotta win with Stras. No excuses. They just need to be the better club, as they are the better club.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

sjm308 said...
Ghost - just wondering how many games they open the roof for and if there are stats as to how the place plays with it open or closed?


I looked for the stats on it and haven't found it. That's a good question.

sjm308 said...

I guess when you are 6 games out and you have one of your 3 aces on the mound, its a critical game. Not sure but I suspect there will be many "must wins" as we try and climb this mountain to the playoffs.

Question - I realize the math says we are closer to the Reds than the Braves but which is our best shot? I think the wildcard since the Reds/Pirates/Cards still have a bunch of games with each other. Want to hear from others.

sjm308 said...

Don: agree completely! It is time to move NOW

Eugene in Oregon said...

Sofa @ 4:37 p.m.,

Kendrys Morales would be great second-half addition -- if the Nats were an American League team. Seattle has accumulated a number of these 1B/DH-types, which is why Michael Morse continues to play LF when he's healthy.

David Proctor said...

It's hard to say at this point which is a better shot. The thing about the WC is that you have to play that stupid 1 game playoff. I'd rather not do that (although with our pitching, I feel comfortable putting any of our 3 out there).

Holden Baroque said...

Question - I realize the math says we are closer to the Reds than the Braves but which is our best shot?

The one they have more wins than, after Sept. 29. There is no shot. They have to beat the teams they're playing.

NatsLady said...

Don't forget a team in the West could come into play, for example if the Dodgers sweep past the D-Backs.

baseballswami said...

One of the things ( the many things) I have found frustrating this week is that we could easily have swept the series in Philly. There were very specific situations in every game where we had the game right there to win. Bases loaded plenty of times and risp. I don't think we scored a run conventionally . Solo homers, sacrifices. Ok, ok- moving on. But the point is we were never, ever out of those games. And should not be in these games either. So sick of watching the " aggressive" one pitch outs.

Holden Baroque said...

Finishing a thought from the last post, The Misperception of Yasiel Puig

Sounds kinda familiar, eh Bryce?

Rabbit34 said...

Move Rendon and Ramos up in the lineup and drop Zimmerman and LaRoche. Shuffle the deck with Zimm, LaRoche, and Werth. Looks like another 8 strikeout night with Zimmerman getting half.

baseballswami said...

Why you picking on Zim? He leads the team in RBI'S.!

Holden Baroque said...

Hey, I have an idea for spotting Nats Insiders at the picnic tables -- we need a big red sign on a stand for the table that says "4.7".

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

We need keep our hitters in and they actually need to hit my weight. Quit hitting their weight.

David Proctor said...

Sounds like JZimm isn't pitching in the ASG, per twitter.

natsfan1a said...

I don't get it (but what else is new?).

Sec. 1 D, seat 10 T, My Sofa said...

Hey, I have an idea for spotting Nats Insiders at the picnic tables -- we need a big red sign on a stand for the table that says "4.7".
July 12, 2013 5:18 PM

natsfan1a said...

Pretty sure everyone's hitting over my weight, except for Det. :-)

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

3 above mine, well I need to look Werth'S up

JaneB said...

4.7...I'm missing it too.
WIN TONIGHT GUYS!

baseballswami said...

Rare social engagement tonight. DVR set so watching is optional. Hope I want to .

Another_Sam said...

There've been a couple of false starts where it looked to the hopeful -- like me -- that this club was ready to snap out of it. Losing three of four has cured me of that feeling. But I still don't get it; you read down this lineup and think "Hey, looks good to me."

Davy of late has changed his model for hadnling pitchers; he's no longer completely averse to yanking someone in the middle of an inning. I applaud that. Too often a reliever clearly doesn'thave it, and he's been allowed to pitch a complete inning and let the game get out of hand.

My take is that if the hitting ever wakes up, they won't need another starter. And I continue to think that the hitting has got to wake up one of these days.

Until that wakeup day, I can say only "Play Ball."

baseballswami said...

Except that when he pulls a starter the reliever immediately gives up three runs, when the starter might have given up one.

Holden Baroque said...

4.7 because that's how many runs, on average, they need to score, to win.
H/T Ghost

I'm 10-7

Steady Eddie said...

Assume 4.7 means average runs per game.

Notwithstanding the angst over our ##4&5, that really is the key, and the way we get 2/3 wins from our three aces and .500 ball from the others.

Steady Eddie said...

Sofa,

Happy to add one to the NIDO spreadsheet if you explain what 1D and 10T are about.

Another_Sam said...

Swami -- are you talking fixes yet? Do you think more pitching or wiat it out? My thinking is that another pitcher wouldn't bail out the aneminc, erratic hitting.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Davey talked to Boche about zim and ASG. Recommended zim attend, but not pitch. Recommended Stras, Gio or Soriano replace Zim.

baseballswami said...

Totally agree- pitching will most likely be fine. Haren and Det win half their games we will be fine. It's the hitting, front and center. No doubt about it. And just which player would we replace? None if them- we are left with the guys we have, just needing to be average instead of poor. That is all. Four runs a game, five maybe. It's right there under our noses.

NatsLady said...

Brewers Player Dev ‏@BrewersPD 19m
The #Brewers have signed RHP/OF Micah Owings to a minor league contract. He will report to our complex in Maryvale

nats guy said...

2 out of 3 in this series is not good enough. They have to sweep. They no longer have any slack. Losing at all in this series is not an option.

David Proctor said...

No they don't have to sweep, yes losing is an option. Stop placing undue significance on a single game. 2/3 is just fine.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Dont need to sweep, but I want one anyways

Ken said...

Mark wrote... I'm not in Miami this weekend, taking a couple of days off before heading up to New York for the All-Star festivities. Please enjoy the conversation as always here...

Rolls eyes... I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure if any of us was being paid to follow the Nats, a day off would be the farthest thing any of us would be thinking about.

I take it from the many days off, that CSN Washington has million dollar dreams on a 10 sent budget.

David Proctor said...

Well of course I want a sweep. But saying we "need" to sweep is silly. 2/3 is good. A sweep would be great.

David Proctor said...

That's pretty uncalled for Ken.

nats guy said...

David if I said yes you would say no.

No they don't have any more slack and certainly cannot afford to lose any more games against teams like Miami. The chances of making the playoffs are already miniscule considering the way they are playing that there can be no tolerance for playing poorly against inferior teams.

I am really tired of being ridiculed for bein pragmatic and realistic. I have been commenting on this blog and watching the Nats and Washington baseball for a very long time and have seen both the good occasionally and the bad often. This team is only fair.

David Proctor said...

Nats Guy,I have nothing against you at all. I don't disagree with you just to be difficult. There's a difference between being realistic and pessimistic. And I realize I'm very optimistic. However, the best of teams is going to lose every now and then to a team like the Marlins. If the Nationals win 2/3, they'll be where they want to be, Their chances aren't minuscule. That's not opinion. Their chances are still pretty good, that's fact. 4 games back of a playoff spot is not bad.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Looked up on deadspin and it list the different umps and which teams have the most negative issues with the ump.

Kerwin Danley plate ump last night most hated by ...... THE phillies.

Make up call? No way call was clise. Interesting.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

At this point they lost more than enough games that they should win.

Time to cut the losses down some.

Not that they cant afford to lose. But why bother, when we could use the win.

nats guy said...

David,

Earlier in the year I would have agreed with you about 2 out of 3. They have pooched way too many games and we are getting way too late in the year to blow any games against teams like the Marlins. Davey at this point should not be tolerating any losses or any stupid baseball like last night. A couple of time Nats base running was something that would not have been tolerated in a High school JV game. They have to sweep this series in order to set a standard for the rest of the year. There can be no tolerance any more for bad baseball.

natsfan1a said...

Ah, 10-4.

Sec. 1 D, seat 10 T, My Sofa said...

4.7 because that's how many runs, on average, they need to score, to win.
H/T Ghost

I'm 10-7
July 12, 2013 5:55 PM

JD said...


I wanted to try to understand the difference between last year 98 win team and this year's almost .500 team based on numbers. to win 98 games the team should be at 55 wins after 92 games but they are at 47, an 8 game difference. I did a little study based on fangraphs WAR understanding that it's hard to take into account last year's injuries vs. this year's. I also found that the overall difference in the pen is negligible so I left that out.

LaRoche -1.5
Espinosa -1.5
Desmond +1
Zim -1
Werth 0
Harper -.5
Span Vs. Morse -.5
Catchers +1
Strasburg -.5
Gio -1
JZim +1
Detwiler 0
Jackson Vs. Haren -1
Tyler Moore -1
Lombo -1
Bernadina -1
Tracy -1

-8.5

Interestingly enough the numbers do tie and they show:

1) LaRoche's decline.
2) Espi's contribution last year vs. this (this should wash eventually once Rendon accumulates enough WAR value with playing time.
3) The Span vs. last year's Morse is an overall negative.
4) The bench either over performed last year or is under performing this year and the difference is stark.
5) the pitching overall is fine.

If we assume that ALR is what he is and the 2nd base situation has been addressed and the bench will at least somewhat balance out I would say the only available action at this time is to move Span the heck out of the leadoff spot to which he is not really showing any aptitude.


baseballswami said...

Lose 3 of 4 to the - gag- Phils and the posters get testy. Story of the season. I do not remember a season where we spent less time talking baseball and so very much with personal spats. Frustration reigns supreme.

JD said...


Swami,

I think we are at a pretty serious cross roads here. I have seen NL examples of teams making up 6 games in August but it doesn't happen often. After the break we get the red hot Dodgers and the surprising Pirates, The Braves get the horrible White Sox and the schizophrenic Mets. This is survival mode.

If we fall behind any further and there will only be 60 games left after the series I mentioned we may be left with only the WC to play for and that's assuming Cincinnati doesn't get hot.

Of course we can go 9 out of 10 and all of this will be moot.

Another_Sam said...

Swami - right on. Thanks, man.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Itis to late yet, but what you said we thrown too many already away so it is time to start being greedy and putting together 7 out of 10 each of the last 10 game sets

baseballswami said...

Who knows? But I will tell you I would rather see our lineup face a fastball thrower like Eovaldi than a soft tossing lefty. We like the fastball- a lot.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I said basically the same, each of the last sets of 10 we win 7 we win. We win 6 then it is close. Win 5 and we are out.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Final tonight Nats 7 Fish 1

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Let's Beat the Fish! Go Nats!

David Proctor said...

Leadoff walk by Span. More of that please.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

My eyesight really gone bad. A wakk.

Where is Bob Davidson.Had 2 balks already.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Keep the line moving.

Watch for balks. He is not setting.

A DC Wonk said...

Mark Z wrote: they now have to take two of three in Miami or else

I'll finish the sentence: or else they will lose their "Wonk series"

Win 2/3 with the big three pitching
Win 1/2 with the other two

So, win tonight to accomplish the first goal
Win one of the next two to get the second one

GYFNG!

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

SPAN WALK SPAN WALK.to lead off the game

David Proctor said...

That is a part of Span's game he can directly control. Sometimes you can't help feeling lost with the bat, but you can maintain a good eye and draw walks. That's been the most disappointing part of Span's game to me (I don't care about steals).

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

This guy being slightly squeezed.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

We better score at least 2...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Barrell the fastball

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Average is close 2.5 in bases loaded 0 out situations

Unknown said...

too close to take Zim...come on.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Zim takes to many close ones. Just tap it foul.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

That wasnt a strike....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Zim has best RISP what would it be if he cut out the ks

David Proctor said...

Harper could've easily scored on that. Not sure why Jewett didn't send.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Why didnt Jewitt send Harper....

Unknown said...

needed that...nice job ALR.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

That ball got stuck, stanton had to chase, why Harper not home,

David Proctor said...

My guess is Jewett didn't see the ball get stuck. He should be looking for that though.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Love a good battle between a batter and pitcher....

David Proctor said...

Even when Werth is making outs right now, he's drilling the balls.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Positive out for Werth

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Productive out for Werth.... Come on Anthony... Take a few pitches next time, please...

David Proctor said...

Woah Strasburg calm down

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Fast ball he thought he could drive. Was wrong.

David Proctor said...

Tight zone, although Strasburg has missed by a lot on some.

David Proctor said...

Is Strasburg okay?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

We just are clueless on how to holf runners.

Lets walk just like they walked us. Our guys who walked both scored.

McCatty are you going to stand by and watch or coach?

MrsB loves the Nats said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Why he has poor control someone always assume he is not fine.

He looks fine, just no control.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Come on Stephen... Throw Strikes...

Unknown said...

DP, he doesn't look okay...he's not a big fan of the 1st inning.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

His curve a tad high. Fix it.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

He loojs fine. He is just not tgrowing strike.

David Proctor said...

Yikes. Strasburg just has no command today. Is he okay?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

That is pathetic...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

He was 0 for his last 18

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I am more pissed at McCaddy

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I called for after second pitch to Stanton. To go do his thing.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Ramos should have been walked out there... What the hell....

This is ridiculous...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Still also mad at zim for taking strike 3

David Proctor said...

This is bad.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

They are rocking SS asz.... Unh...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

His breaking ball not breaking, throwing just fast balls you are no better than Detwiler.

Another_Sam said...

Get the hook.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Dan Haren costume night?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Easy to hit just fastballs

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

He will pitch great after this. Why hook? That seems like a panic move

David Proctor said...

Wow, the pitcher too.

Another_Sam said...

Where's that hook?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Bochie hooked Cain the otger night, which was totally stupid.

The walking people piss more tgan the hits.

Unknown said...

now this is just comical...what is McCatty waiting for?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

This is BP practice for them.... 5 damn runs...

nats guy said...

I think the reason the question about Strasburg being Ok is that sometimes TJ pitchers sometime have control issues when they beginning to have problems with the elbow again.

I suspect he is just having a real bad night.

Anyhoo looks like a very long night. They are killing him and it is probably time to get out the long man. I suspect he won't get by the 2nd inning. Hard to watch.

Joe Seamhead said...

This is painful to watch right now.

nats guy said...

They better score a hell of alot of runs tonight.

David Proctor said...

That was not the first inning I expected.

For people wanting the hook, someone has to warm up. Ohlendorf was warming up. It takes time.

JaneB said...

Okay. The messages to me are: if this was Dan Haren. We would be calling for him to be DFA'ed.
Two. Stras needs to take a break tonight in the longest inning ever.

I hope the Marlins pitcher will continue as he started.

Oy oy oy.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

He will pitch fine after this.

Our hitters who were not nearly as good as tgeirs need to get those runs right back.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

That first inning was brutal... SS doesn't have the command tonight....

He is gonna have to be creative and Ramos will have to call a good game....

David Proctor said...

I would let Strasburg go back out, but with Ohlendorf warmed and ready.

David Proctor said...

This might end up being the sloppiest game ever played.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

We are just missing hits. Fouling balls straight back means just missed.

Once losing you cant just miss.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Bunting is just not that hard.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

There is the difference 2-0 we swing not giving a chance to go 3-1.

They didnt swing. I blame Davey and Eck for the approach

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Why in the heck did Desi swing at that.... Ugh...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Make tge guy throw strikes. My goodness do they think they can hit a ball foot outside. He didnt swing at the one before and the last one was worse.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I explained last night though I was wrong. They don't care a strikeout is not tge stigma it was 40 years ago. The pitch at no time was strike on tge last one.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Put him away, dont screw around like you did Lucas

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

There is nothing wrong he just throwing way too many balls.

David Proctor said...

There is something wrong. I've never seen Strasburg look like this.

Unknown said...

called that unfortunately...Stanton loves Nats pitching.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

This is a test to see if he have quitters on the team.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Hopefully the Nats will continue to be patient... And have better at bats...

Unknown said...

Umm. Maybe he's just not as good as we thought

Unknown said...

yep Bryce, its a yawner.

Jane Elizabeth said...

At some point, we all have to ask ourselves, what if Stephen Strasburg is just a very good pitcher, but that is all.

David Proctor said...

Maybe this is just an elaborate plot to help Haren's confidence. Tomorrow when Haren gives up 6 runs, he won't feel so bad now.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Say he is for trade see how many line up.

Just a bad game nothing more.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Tuned in a little late. Anything much happen?

David Proctor said...

If Strasburg is just a very good pitcher, I'm fine with that. He's better than this, that's for damn sure.

Jane Elizabeth said...

It is pretty common to see first round picks in sports end up just being decent players. Strasburg is obviously better than decent but he has shown me very little this year that makes me think of Tom Seaver or Bob Gibson or what have you.

David Proctor said...

Guys, turning on Strasburg because of one bad start is about as low as it gets on here. Maybe he's not elite, we don't know. To say he's not that good, is just dumb. His floor is very, very good. His ceiling is elite.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

looks like Stras is done after 2 innings, 66 pitches.

Jane Elizabeth said...

There have been no games with large numbers of K's. There have been no games where he has come close to no-hitters. He had a very good record last year, fwiw. I want to find him impressive. I just don't really, since the first year.

Unknown said...

Why does everyone think Bryce is so good? He's just not.

David Proctor said...

Okay, I'm out. You people are ridiculous tonight.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Ladies and gentlemen, I don't often do this but I am invoking the once-a-season "It's OK to drink in the third inning rule." The bar is open. Barkeep, bourbon and Maalox all around for my friend.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Everybody thinks Bryce is so good because everybody watches him and the stats back up what everybody sees. It is pretty obvious.

BigCat said...

Just got home. WTF

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Okay... Ludicrous thinking.... Good lord...

Unknown said...

What a joke. I'm done with this team.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Nobody said Strasburg wasn't good. Where did you get that, D.Proctor? I just think people in DC were expecting another Walter Johnson. He can't stay healthy, but when he does pitch he is generally very good, although not quite Cy Young. Two very poor outings in a row where he couldn't get the ball over the plate. He hit 3 guys on Sunday, so something is off.

David Proctor said...

In 14 of Strasburg's starts this year, he's allowed 2 runs or less. ANY team would love to have him. These games happen to the absolute best. Verlander gave up 8 runs in one inning at one point this year. To say he's not good, or even worse, Harper isn't good, is just stupid. Sorry, it's stupid.

David Proctor said...

WODL, I'm pretty sure Scott said "maybe he's just not that good?" and then said something about Harper not being good as well. That's just ridiculous to the max.

I understand Strasburg may not be Walter Johnson. We don't know. But to say he's not very good is just dumb.

ExposedinDC said...

This Marlin starter is a real warrior.....great example of strong perseverance. The Nats could use some of that makeup.

Unknown said...

good move to get SS out of there, no reason to keep him in...game's still young, this is the Marlins but we can't give up any more runs.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Zimm'nn's hurt, Stras is rocked what's next? We sign Chien Ming-Wang off waivers? Anybody have Daniel Cabrera's cell phone number?

Unknown said...

Ok. This team irks me. Davey is a idiot, that's clear. I look at the lineup each day and wonder how we don't win...but it's down to bad choices. Aleichem, Span, Zim at 3rd, espi, etc. these cost us games. It's just bad mismanagement. Very exasperating. I truly hope things get better.

David Proctor said...

So let me get this straight Scott: Harper sucks, Strasburg sucks, Davey sucks. Why even watch the team?

Jane Elizabeth said...

The guys said "so good" and "very good" in his quotes so you need to read what he wrote so that you are not defending something else. Has Strasburg delivered so far? He sort of did last year. I don't know if Verlander is the standard that people are looking to when you are talking about the "greatest pitching prospect" ever.

I will say that tickets to Sunday's game when Stras was pitching were surprisingly cheap and easy to get. I think people are ready to see him take the next step. His FIPs stats are good but not great this year.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

He is way off as he he said tge same thing about Harper

David Proctor said...

Strasburg is statistically better this year than last (although I suspect this start will change that).

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

We all need a dose of good news. Here it is, courtesy of the AP:

B.J. Upton has left the Braves' game against the Reds with an apparent knee injury, marking the second straight night Atlanta has lost an outfielder. Justin Heyward was held out of Friday's lineup after straining his right hamstring on Thursday night. Jordan Schafer is already on the disabled list.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

If it irks watch a team that doesnt.

Irks me to but I assume we will still winuntil the game is over.

David Proctor said...

I don't find an injury good news, even if it's a division rival. And to be honest, the Braves are probably better without BJ Upton anyway.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I realize code words like he used and read it the same way David did.

ExposedinDC said...

Ollie to the rescue

Jane Elizabeth said...

Gio and Jordan are excellent pitchers and I think it is hard to make an argument that Strasburg is the ace of the staff. Right now, he is a fringe All Star-type pitcher that any team would love to have. Am I disappointed? Yes, but only because everyone said he had the talent to be an all-time great.

Is Strasburg still one of my favorite players? Yes, but we have to try to be honest and loyal at the same time.

BigCat said...

The boat is taking on water. The rats are beginning to jump.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

People getting hurt to me is mever good news.

I want to beat you , but dont want you hurt.

So what is tge good news?

ExposedinDC said...

Chip away.... One or two runs at a time

David Proctor said...

I understand WODL. I'm not saying Strasburg is a once in a generation player (although at 24, he could certainly still develop into one). I think JZimm is clearly the ace of this staff with Gio and Stras tied behind him. Regardless, to suggest he's "just not very good", which is what Scott said, is ludicrous.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

You think like me mostly. Though I do think I hate losing more than they do.

My wife hates it even more as I am not a quiet angry.

David Proctor said...

With any luck, the Reds will hold on and the Braves will bail us out yet again.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Wait 10 years to make a decision

BigCat said...

How much longer before we call it a wrap snd start bringing up the prospects? First one I bring up is the CF in Harrisburg. Lets see what the kid has got

Jane Elizabeth said...

It depends on what stats you look at. Stras has given up a lot of unearned runs this year and that is a hugely problematic stat that no one who looks at advanced stats thinks should be a free ride. He still seems to not deal all that well with adversity. He blew this game all by himself with 7 base-runners in the first inning and then grooved a pitch to Stanton. He walked everybody except the guy everybody walks. Horrible performance, but hopefully it doesn't mean he is tired or whatever.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Finally a hit. None since the first.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I never relish in injury news... But yeah I bet the Braves are better without Bj...

I am, however, thoroughly disgusted with how this game started and is going....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I told you we are winning the division

David Proctor said...

BigCat, you don't give up on a season when you're 4 games out. We're literally 4 games out of a playoff spot.

NatsLady said...

It's too bad the one evening I am home and figure I can watch a game with "friends" here... Oh, well, off to WaPo.

Jane Elizabeth said...

I am not impressed with our batters who seem to have given up for the night, apparently having gotten the three runs that are supposed to guarantee victory....

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

We just need to score. They did why cant we?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Completely understand NL.... But well, when the Nats are losing, this is what we get...

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I am with you. However your man Span leads off the 5th

DJB said...

Strasburg is a good pitcher that the league didn't have time to adjust to last year. The league has adjusted. If he is off now, he gets rocked. More importantly, he is frail and can't be relied upon for a full season. All the more reason why the shut down was a mistake. The "curse of the shutdown" - are we going to be the next Cubs franchise? Why won't anyone call Rizzo out? He's made epic mistakes and everyone is in thrall like he is P.T. Barnum?

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I stand by comment i hate losing more than they do.

I can not make us win, thus I have no control.

They have control but do nothing about it.

David Proctor said...

How often has Strasburg been rocked, DJB? Please do share.

BigCat said...

As usual , we spin our wheels a little in the first inning or 2, now we won't sniff of anything until the 8th or 9th where we will hit a 2 run shot and everyone will talk excitedly.

We need a whole new coaxing staff!

SonnyG10 said...

Well, I'm near Niagara Falls, NY, with no eyes on ears on the game. It sounds like my Nats are not doing so well. I was hoping things would turn around after we got the full lineup back. Wish I could see what's going on. My internet connection is not very good.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Mets look like they will shut down Harvey in September too.

It will become the new normal.

David Proctor said...

What a play by Rendon

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Top of first fine the rest Strasburg didnt tgrow strikes, and then our hitters quit so far after the first.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Indeed

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