Category Archives: Scherzer

Analysis: Scherzer vs. Zobrist; The at-bat that changed Game #5

The smallest details lead to impactful results. Max Scherzer entered the NLDS elimination game #5 finale as a relief pitcher in the 5th innings with a Nats 4-to-3 lead and would face the meat of the Cubs order: Kris Bryant, … Continue reading

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Anticipating the Playoff Rotation: Who will Be on the Bump When?

A few weeks ago, we had a very active discussion of what might be, or should be, the starting pitching rotation in the playoffs, particularly the pros and cons of pitching Max and/or Stras on 3-days rest at certain strategic … Continue reading

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8th 18-gamer: One goal achieved ahead of schedule, tougher challenges await

For previous 18 gamers, click here. At the end of the 7th 18-game set, the Nats were 26 games over .500 and stood atop the NL East by 12 1/2 games. The division title seemed assured: the question was not … Continue reading

Posted in 18GameRecap, Analysis, Bullpen, Difo, Doolittle, Gio, Giolito, Harper, Jayson, Kelley, Lind, Murphy, OliverPerez, Prospects, Rendon, Roark, RyanZimmerman, Scherzer, Severino, Strasburg, Taylor, TMo, Turner, VictorRobles, Werth | Leave a comment

7th 18-gamer: Near Heartbreak and Unexpected Heroes

For previous 18 gamers, click here. You may recall that the 6th 18-gamer was essentially the Bryce Harper show.  With six homers, five in the first inning, Bryce led the way to a 10-8 set with a lot of help from … Continue reading

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6th 18-gamer: Relief Help Arrives as the Rotation Faces Adversity; and Bryce!

For previous 18 gamers, click here. Another pretty good 18 game set for the Nats, keyed by a newly reliable bullpen.   10-8 put us at 64-44, still 20 games over .500 and 13 games up on the Miami Marlins in the … Continue reading

Posted in 18GameRecap, Analysis, Bullpen, Bullpen, Gio, Harper, Heisey, MikeRizzo, Murphy, Rendon, Roark, RyanZimmerman, Scherzer, Strasburg | Leave a comment

5th 18-gamer: Bryce was Up, Zim was Down, Murph was Murph, TTB was On Fire

For previous 18 gamers, click here. Regular readers know that Game 90 took place when I was out of the country. Putting together a blog post as scheduled was not in the cards, but I did manage to keep tab … Continue reading

Posted in 18GameRecap, Analysis, Bullpen, Dusty, Gio, Harper, Murphy, Rendon, RyanZimmerman, Scherzer, Strasburg, Taylor, Turner | Leave a comment

4th 18-gamer: Fits and Starts

For previous 18 gamers, click here. The fourth 18-game set was the worst of the Nats’ season so far, 9-9. As regular readers of these 18-gamers know, averaging 10-8 in the nine sets in the season gets you 90 wins, … Continue reading

Posted in 18GameRecap, Analysis, Bullpen, Gio, Gott, Harper, JRoss, JZimm, Kelley, Koda, Lobaton, Murphy, Roark, RyanZimmerman, Scherzer, Starters, Strasburg, Taylor, Turner, Wieters | Leave a comment

3rd 18-gamer: A Tale of Two Aces

For links to previous 18-gamers, click here. You will recall that in the second 18-game set this season the Nats managed a 10-8 record despite some pitching woes, because their hitters continued to be on fire. The third set of 18 … Continue reading

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2nd 18-gamer: The Bats Bail Out the Arms

For links to previous 18-gamers, click here. Following up their hot 13-5 start, the Nats logged a respectable 10-8 in the second 18 game set. Their 23-13 record after the first two sets is exactly the same as the record … Continue reading

Posted in 18GameRecap, Analysis, Bullpen, Eaton, Gio, Harper, Jayson, Koda, Murphy, NLEast, Rendon, RyanZimmerman, Scherzer, Strasburg, Treinen | Leave a comment

And they’re back! First 18-gamer of 2017 #Nats

My 18-game posts have a long and sordid history.  For those who are new to this rodeo, check out the first few paragraphs of last year’s first 18-gamer for an explanation of what these posts are all about.  And for links to … Continue reading

Posted in 18GameRecap, AdamEaton, Analysis, Bullpen, Eaton, Gio, Harper, Kelley, Murphy, Rendon, Roark, RyanZimmerman, Scherzer, Starters, Strasburg, Treinen, Turner, Umpires, Werth, Wieters | Leave a comment