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| Photo by USA Today |
Washington has actually won ten of their last 14 games, which is a nice little stretch as they move towards the end of August. The Braves have also started to slip, albeit barely, with two straight losses since losing Jason Heyward to a broken jaw. Atlanta remains 13 games up in the division, but as long as the Nats keep winning they will help their cause.
Today they have Jordan Zimmermann (14-7, 3.37) on the mound against the Royals, looking to tie Adam Wainwright for the National League lead in wins. Zimmermann has had a rough second half of the season with 23 earned runs allowed in 30 2/3 innings, compiling a 6.75 ERA. He hopes to get back on track as he faces Kansas City for the first time in his career.
Pitching for Kansas City is right-hander Wade Davis (6-9, 5.43) who has been the less successful part of their offseason trade with Tampa. Davis has been consistently bad for the Royals all season, and was pulled after just 3 2/3 innings his last time out in Detroit. He has been noticeably better this year at home, with a 3.62 ERA at Kauffman Stadium offsetting his 5.02 mark on the road, but the Nats should still have a good chance for some offense tonight.
Enjoy the game...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Where: Kauffman Stadium
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: WJFK (106.7 FM), WFED (1500), XM 185
Weather: Mostly sunny, 88 degrees, Wind 12 mph in from LF
NATIONALS (64-64)
CF Denard Span
DH Ryan Zimmerman
RF Bryce Harper
C Wilson Ramos
SS Ian Desmond
1B Adam LaRoche
LF Tyler Moore
3B Chad Tracy
2B Steve Lombardozzi
RHP Jordan Zimmermann
ROYALS (64-63)
LF Alex Gordon
2B Emilio Bonifacio
1B Eric Hosmer
DH Billy Butler
3B Mike Moustakas
RF Justin Maxwell
CF David Lough
C George Kottaras
SS Alcides Escobar
RHP Wade Davis
UMPIRES
TBA
192 comments:
No Werth or Rendon in the lineup today and Tracy is at 3B with Zim DHing. Why Davey?
"The Braves have also started to slip, albeit barely..."
*********************************
What slim hopes I retain are based on catching the Diamondbacks (doable) and then the Reds (harder), not the Braves (hard to imagine).
NL, I'm not sure if it's injury or if it's age and decline with Soriano. It seems odd that he would have such a sharp drop-off from one year to next. He's going to be back next year, like it or not, so we'll find out.
Every time a beat writer or commentator says that someone is bad-- well, you know what happens next.
Because this guy's ERA against LH batters is well over 6 and WHIP over 2? (What I said in the last post). Surprised not Hairston in LF instead of T-Moore, though. Werth must be hurt more than we thought.
Wade Davis is a right hander. It would make no sense to start Hairston.
Nats are worst in Majors in leadoff and #2. Hard to believe Nats #2 hitters batting .217 with a .298 OBP. That's baffling. No wonder Davey has RZim batting #2
DP, oh, right. Sorry, you are correct.
I heard Storen had a concentration problem last night because he was so upset after hearing Ben Affleck was going to be the new Batman. ;)
I have no problem with this lineup. Perhaps if our bench players had gotten some playing time back when Espi and ALR were striking out every at bat they would have hit better. Like it or not, they have to play. Any bench player who sits too long will suck. Last year injuries game them playing time. At this point of the season where everyone is banged up, why not?
Because Chad Tracy shouldn't even be on the team, much less replacing Jayson Werth.
Suzuki just botched a hit and run badly. Swung at ball 4 that was nearly in the left hand batter's box and then because the runner was going, he got caught in a rundown.
Got newposted.
Following up on Ghost's comment that they need to score one run per game more, I got curious as to how that arithmetic would look.
2013 to date they are 64-64, but their current Pythagorean W-L = 61-67, so they are +3 there, now.
They have scored 498 runs (3.89/g), and allowed 521 runs (~4.07/game, which would be ~660 over 162 games).
They have 34 games left. If they score at GoSM's suggested rate of 1 more than they have averaged to this point, that would leave them with ~658 runs on the season, or ~4.06/game.
Assuming that the defense stays the same (because Ghost didn't propose a change, just sticking with the premise here), that would be 658 runs scored vs. 660 allowed. They Pythagorean W/L for that would be 81-81, or .500, which is where they are now.
Which probably won't catch anybody.
I can see them going 21-13, maybe finish 85-77. Might keep them in it while longer.
David, yah Zuk. was watching also.
For all who say cut soriano and eat his salary please go back and watch Storen trying to find the strike zone last night.
God bless Wade Davis. May he continue to be bad. GYFNG!
Sofa, on average we just have to hope the offense can continue at this level and the pitching improves. If the team can do both at the same time, watch out world.
Wang vs Peacock today.
GYFNG! At least the beach. Will be watching the Nats!
Well , David , you make an excellent point about Chad Tracy.
I don't really have a problem with Lombo replacing Rendon. If Werth needs the day off, I'd DH Rendon though. But lefties hit Davis very well so I figure that's why Davey went to Tracy.
Hope Werth is okay.
SCNats Fan-- The strike zone can be overrated. Soriano just loves it-- all HIS pitches are big and fat and juicy and most definitely ALL the way IN the strike zone.
"baseballswami said...
SCNats Fan-- The strike zone can be overrated."
Henry Rodriguez will really like you.
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP 2m
Jayson Werth is out because he has an infection in his right foot. First happened in Chicago. He thought it would be better. It's worse.
1997 Jayson Werth photo on Fox. LMAO
Suzuki double
Ghost- that photo was ridiculous.
Disturbing...lombo however is batting 386 since all star break.
See DP answer below.
Tracy is a handicap.
"Jayson Werth is out of the Nationals lineup with an unspecified infection in his right foot, which has led to painful inflammation and could keep the Nationals’ best hitter sidelined at least through Sunday as well.
“I thought it was going to be better today,” Werth said. “I played on it yesterday, and it was pretty sore. Today, I can’t go.”
Werth first felt pain in his right foot Thursday in Chicago. Friday night, he served as the designated hitter to help keep him off his feet and hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the fourth inning. He began taking antibiotics last night and hoped the condition of his foot would improve. Instead, it worsened.
“Today, it’s too much,” Werth said. “It’s really sore.”
Werth walked through the Nationals’ clubhouse with a heavy limp. Werth doubted he would be able to even pinch hit tonight in a key spot. “It’s going to have to get better,” Werth said."
Oh lord please let him get better soon.
Foot infection-- really??
Skins look good. Pre-season but still. This will be a good sports year in DC. I feel it!
I had no idea Coco Crisp has that much power. 13 HRs and just hits a 9th inning HR to go ahead 2-1.
Give me Adam West any day of the week. We're talking Old School Prestigious there. Bang! Pow! :-)
Go, Z'nn! Go, NATS!!
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
I heard Storen had a concentration problem last night because he was so upset after hearing Ben Affleck was going to be the new Batman. ;)
August 24, 2013 4:20 PM
RZim-bruised shin. That's why DH.
GYFNG!!!!!!!!!!
These guys are banged up. I am ready for some FP- spent too much time today hearing Mitch Williams and then Ray Knight do their " in my day" speeches. Hoping JZ has figured things out. Talk about cardiac Nats- this last week has been ccccccrazy.
Throwback Negro League jerseys.
Very cool.
This interview.....
There you go Denard. Now show us some great baserunning.
This pitcher has an odd start to his delivery, it's like he squats.
Not sure why Zim challenged Gordon.
Crap.
Bad baserunning for Zimmerman just because theres no way you get thrown out.
Nice Bryce.
Ramos just got robbed.
Ramos robbed.
Praying.
Yessssss!
Desi just missed two fastballs down the middle. That's odd.
Seems odd. Bernadina leading off in front of Jimmy Rollins.
Make sense, NL. What, with Roger Bernadina's high OBP and all.
Left the Skins game to make it back in time for the Nats game... Not sure how I feel about this line up but as long as we win, idc...
Gotta catch up on the DVR... Brb...
Frickin love the unis.... I can see them play every day...
Harp is heating up.
Uniforms appear to be pretty heavy and hot,though.
Rzim gotta get back in shape. He is slow as a church mouse
Alot of RF dont make that play. Ramos could easily be 2 for 2. Glad he got the Sac Fly as the consolation prize.
OK, Tyler, they're dissin' you. make 'em pay.
I thought Moore got that.
How wasnt that a 3 run HR by Moore.
It just has to frustrate all those in the send TylerMo down to AAA back on May 1st to get him back on track.
Sometimes thats all you need.
Tracy with the bomb...lol. I'll take it.
Now it feels like a 3 run HR by Moore. Contact and BABIP work again for Captain Gooner.
Tracy delivers! With a hope and a prayer!
Nats 128, I don't get frustrated with Moore's success at the plate, I wish him continued great results. On May 1st he was dead weight.
You get a bloop! You get a bloop! Bloops for everyone!
Joe, you dont get my point. Im thrilled what he is doing. I think if he was sent down earlier to restart him he couldve been a real productive platoon player. Instead he suffered for months and the team didnt have him contributing.
What is up with that 3.5 hole? That's 3 rollers thru there.
Ramos needs to learn to block balls.
That was a potential turning point of the game. Good job by JZimm to get out of it.
I guess I did miss it. 128.
With his two RBI blooper Chad Tracy now has the formidable total of nine, count 'em, nine RBI's for 2013
Didn't know the until I just read Kyle Lohse was claimed by the Braves and they couldnt work out a trade.
Two good plays there between Desi and Adam.
DESI!!!
How did Ians get out and Tyler Moores didnt. Nice shot kid!
Unfair what JZim'nn just did to JMax'll.
Bernadina is the leadoff for the Phillies tonite. 0-2
keep this rolling...if nats can sweep at home...we have something going
let's not get ahead of ourselves. let's close out tonight's win without any adventures, especially like last night.
Zim at 95 pitches
faraz
I know
Axford comes in for MIL and gives up a game-tying HR on the 2nd pitch. I remember when he was good.
I assume Zim pitches the 8th?
mick, it is just that this has happened few times this season. we get nice little streak and then get swept by some other team and go back to playing bad baseball.
got my eye on reds game as well
FYI: Suzuki doubled today and scored a run in A's win over O's
Bernadina with a HR
Bernadina with a HR. 7-2 Phils. Remember we are rooting for the Fillies today.
Shark just homered for the Phils.
so it appears Tyler Moore has readjusted...and proved me wrong
I hope he is the real deal
OMG shark..for real?
If Zim can go 8...what rest that would be for BP
And..... a 2-run dinger to Zach Cosart... 4-2 Reds now.
actually...if Zim could go 9...that would be great, but...if he gets in any trouble, please Davey pull him
Dial up the pen
Zim's pitches
105 Pitches: 72 Strikes, 33 Balls
oh well..Reds probably win tonight...but that is fine...nats just have to do their part...Reds will slump
actually, by Sept 1, Nats could be maybe 5-6 over...marlins and Mets this week at Nats park
why not?
Nats after this series play teams with losing records through Sept 16...this where they make a move
The shame is where the Nats were the 1st week of July as they looked to be a couple games of 1st place.
so 7 2/3 tonight...not bad at all
Your job is to get 1 out Abad. Get the damn out.
Ryan Z knows on those plays to stay home at 3rd as Desi will pick the ball and get the runner going around 3rd. Chad Tracy mustve been in the bathroom the 3 times the Nats pulled that off.
agreed Nats128
so...who closes tonight...is it Clip or does Davey give Drew a shot?
Lousy bullpen again.
I really do not like Abad at all... hope he is gone after this season...
Of course Davey doesnt have the righty up for JMax.
Is clippard injured?
I hate Fernando Abad.
Put Zimm back in at 3 rd for D. This is just getting ridiculous. Bring in Clipp before its 7 to 6
Abad needed the 1st lefty he faced.
he is terrible, Davey was not joking when he said a week ago that the bull pen is struggling
Abad is rested and that is what makes it even worse
It's not Daveys fault who he puts in to relieve. These guys are just not doing there jobs. I was nice and calm but once again am pissed.
Abad needed 1 out!
SWM
exactly
My god Abad... Our bullpen loves to make things interesting.
can't really fault Davey...Abad is expected to get at least 1 out..
See what happens when you throw strikes, Abad? Our entire staff needs to learn to THROW strikes. Abad has good stuff, he's just an idiot.
there you go!
SWM, Davey had to think ahead if the 1st batter got on to get a righty for JMax who destroys crappy lefty relievers.
Abad and Davey got lucky.
The off speed pitch that Abad threw on 3-2 to Justin Maxwell was just plumb dumb. He came back pretty good against the lefty.
So mick earlier i stated things aren't over. I said was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Someone actually corrected me and said it was the Japanese. Some of the folks in here don't get out much.
J zim pitched very good tonight
Remember Michael Gonzalez--just came in and gave Votto a HR. His ERA is 4.47.
Yeah, me. I don't watch dumb movies much. Like, not at all.
SWM
ha ha ha
So we are up 7 2. I am already very nervous for the 9th. Bullpen just not making anyone feel confident lately
SWM, the Germans didn't bomb Pearl Harbor!
haha.
Nats lady when the Nats play the way they have most of the year dumb movies is a good alternative for viewing entertainment.
NatsJack? You're echoing tonight.
Everyone with a hit except Lombo and Laroche.
LOL, secret--too true! I do watch dumb old Westerns...
Mick, J Zim did not pitch very good tonight.
He pitched very WELL.
You've been listening to Davey, and bunches of other folks in baseball including FP, butcher the English language with some regularity.
I especially enjoy when people say things like "You can see he's developed a greater level of comfortability at the plate". Comfortability. Right. Based on the word comfort. Sigh.
Alas I guess there's not much we can do to "defense" against this...
Clippard warming for the 9th. Great news. He might give up a solo home run, but I'm not too concerned about him blowing a 5 run lead.
Back to the hotel after the championship games at the LLWS.
Tuned in just in time to here Abad's crap.
Yes, JZim'nn pitched very well tonight. Abad of course let one of his runs score.
FP says Clip hasn't pitched since Thursday night. As if that was a week ago.
The BP is gonna be the death of us...
Nice play Lombo. Would have been nice for Laroche to peal off.
lets go Clip!
The most stress-free inning in forever.
Have to love the no drama 9th. Abad of course made the 8th a little nuts.
Good game!
one more out and that is 5 straight...Nats have yet to win more than 5 in a row this season...Tomorrow is a chance to do it
Oh yeah... Over 500... Loved it!
Well what do you know. The first guy in about 2 weeks to close the ninth quickly and comfortably. Thanks Clipp!!!!!!
welcome to a winning record again!!!
Some one overdid Ray Knights face with makeup.
33 more to get to tie last year. We got this thing.
Ian Desmond is such a leader.
http://wapc.mlb.com/cutfour/2013/08/24/58228260/video-bill-goldberg-spears-catcher-miami-marlins
David, you cant say that enough. Ian Desmond is a leader and from everything Ive seen a real good person.
Nats are going to make this interesting...the one real negative is the bull pen... I know Clip is solid and Roark is an unexpected surprise, Stammen can be shaky but he has been very good lately
Soriano and Abad...will cost the team games and I am not a Kroll fan at all.
So this will get down to Storen, can he get his head on right? I have my doubts.
We won this game with Chad Tracy playing in place of Jayson Werth. Just think about that for a moment.
Just for the record the local Papa John gave me 50% for having the nerve for asking . Nats score 11 I thought I would at least ask.
This is all you can ask right now as a Nats fan.. they have a shot and are in the discussion. This is why I was so mad a few weeks ago when the team fell 6 under 500... I really thought they were done before Sept 1. Now they have chance to take this to the end of season...that is all one can ask. The bull pen has to be dealt with
Clip should be the closer
So.... Apparently this Clippard fellow is able to achieve 3 outs in the ninth inning, with a relative paucity of drama.... Do you s'pose any of the other fellows could emulate him?
Hows about another game we didnt complain about the umpiring.
Soriano is really shakey ight now for sure.
God if I'm not careful I'm going to start believing again
Hochevar wont be available tomorrow. Is Aaron Crow still on there team. Surpized we didnt see him yesterday.
"UnkyD said...
So.... Apparently this Clippard fellow is able to achieve 3 outs in the ninth inning, with a relative paucity of drama.... Do you s'pose any of the other fellows could emulate him?"
I remember Clippard in the 9th inning last year...I remember it too well. He made it every bit the adventure Soriano did. I'd consider making the change, but let's not act like Clippard made everything stress-free.
MNF
100% correct, I think Davey will go with Clip as closer..limited options.
Perhaps Soriano is 8th and Storen 7th, rest of the way, with Stammen and Roark as long relievers.
forget Abad and Kroll...this is probably the way to go
as far as starters..with Jordan shut down, I assume it is Ohlendorf as the 5th the rest of the way and is Det shut down the rest of the season, or if he is healthy, does he come back if nats are within 4-5 of WC by mid Sept?
Krol, not a good job for Syracuse. Came in, let 2 inherited runners score, then contributed 2 of his own in 1/3 of an inning. 3-1 game became 5-3...Mattheus came in and put out the fire.
JZim'nn had that slider where he would start it off the outside of the plate. That was deadly tonight and he resurrected his changeup.
Great game plan tonight.
Funny the highs and lows around here. At 1 point the Morse trade was great bcuz the Nats got Krol. Now the trade stinks and is dependent on how Cole turns out.
To me when Krol was called up it was a great shot in the arm as the pen was hurting. Krol was great. Hes in a tough stretch and I wouldnt throw him under the bus yet.
The official scorer changed that play in the 9th to a hit. That makes it 5 straight multi-hit games for T-Mo since he's been recalled.
Braves lost again.
Phillies just tied it up!
Boy, Arizona's bullpen, P-U. FIllies tied it up, 7-7.
TyMo should have been brought up 30 days ago, the guy can hit but needs to play on a consistent basis...if Ray is correct, 5 straight multi-hit games...impressive.
Re, our closer, that has always been an adventure every year regardless who it is...last and most reliable was probably Chad Cordero!
Santana will be tough tomorrow.
Santana gave up a TON of home runs last year. He's been way better this year, but he's not infallible.
Of course, Dan Haren has given up his share of HRs. But he too has been better lately. Could be a pitcher's duel.
I hope Werth is able to DH.
As for closers-- all closers have some adventures, blow a few, go through a tough stretch. Some of you have conveniently forgotten that Chad Cordero drove us insane at times. It comes with the territory. The problems with Soriano are more than that. He does not have closer stuff- not swing and miss. His BA against is awful. He gives up long balls and runs in bunches, not just one here and there. With his kind of stuff the off nights are magnified. He needs to pull it together really soon as his rough stretch has gone on longer than one or two games. I don't see us contending next season with him as our closer.
Bernadina on deck in the bottom of the 9th. If he hits a walkoff HR.
And Abad is not so good.
Nope. No walkoff for Bernadina
Some idiot on MLB Network just said "Ian Desmond is an impact type player but he can't stay on the field to produce." WHAT??? He's been out there for every game but like 2.
Do these people even do any research?
DP thats just pathetic.
I heard one of them said Clip was struggling this year. Not so much. Their knowledge can be a mile wide and an inch deep.
I hope whoever the next manager is keeps an open mind about the job at 1st base. With 500 ABs, I feel Tyler Moore could break out much the same way Morse did in 2011 (.303 AVG 31 HR 95 RBI). The kid could have sulked and played poorly when he was sent down earlier this year, but he worked hard and showed if given the opportunity, he can deliver the goods consistently, something this team has not received from the streaky LaRoche all year.
I particularly like the big fat zero in the error column.
Bernadina just almost hit a walk off home run. Off the wall.
Bernadina 2-5, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI & a walk...and he is on 2nd with the game in the bottom of 11th with 1 out...next year he will be a Nats killer with our luck.
5 in a row twice in a week. Back over .500 baby! GYFNG!
That was nice, boys. Very nice. Don't they usually do well in the Homestead Grays unis, or am I misremembering?
Swami, the fix was in, because it's really hard to make an error at DH! :-)
Go win one more boys, then one more ...
Oh, my- 18 innings??? Seven hours?? Glad it was them and not us. One way you could tell that JZ was back to normal-- under three hours. Eat your hearts out Philly and AZ!
I'm proud of Roger..even though he's not our shark anymore.
There was no reason to DFA Roger. All they had to do is move Tracy to the DL. Rosters expand on September 1st.
Yes, but Ghost, who would have played 3B so Zim could DH? Oh right, Rendon. Ok, but who would have played 1B to give ALR a rest? Oh right, Moore. So why exactly is Chad Tracy still on the team?
222, bloop single specialist and wall scraper HRs and ambassador for the.Mendozas
Ghost Of Steve M. said...
There was no reason to DFA Roger. All they had to do is move Tracy to the DL. Rosters expand on September 1st.
August 25, 2013 9:36 AM
Probably worked out better for Roger, now that he's caught on with the Phillies.
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