by Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang
Photo by Katie Moran for TalkNats
Two games in a row the Nats took a 5-0 lead into the middle innings to see the lead squandered in the bullpen, but on this night in extra innings the combination of Kyle Finnegan (2 IP 0 ER) and James Bourque (1 IP 0 ER) held the Braves scoreless, and Michael Taylor hit the walk-off single to win it in the 12th inning. Continue reading
A familiar scene of a starter departing before the 5th inning; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
It is time for Erick Fedde to show he is ready to be a starter on this team, and tonight is as good as any to show manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo that he is the person for that job. Between Fedde, Austin Voth, and Anibal Sanchez, they have been departing games before the fifth inning. That has to change. Continue reading
Eaton had his best game of the season; Photo by Sol Tucker
This was a gut punch loss. The Nats were in control by a 5-0 lead and slowly the Nats starter Austin Voth was bending and had to be pulled at 4 1/3 inning and 3 earned runs. With a 5-3 lead, the Nats could not hold that and lost it in the bullpen as Wander Suero was charged for one run, Will Harris with two runs and the blown save, and it was Tanner Rainey who took the loss as he gave up the final run of the game. Continue reading
Braves and Nats for a critical 4-game series; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
Earlier today the Washington Nationals made their four-game series rotation against the Braves “official” with Austin Voth scheduled for tonight, Erick Fedde for tomorrow, Patrick Corbin on Saturday, and Max Scherzer on Sunday. We will see if there are short leashes on Voth and Fedde because the previous strategy has not worked. The Nats had an option with the day-off yesterday to skip Voth, but manager Dave Martinez said they did not consider that.
Dave Martinez says there was no consideration to skip Austin Voth tonight after the off day, even though the Nationals could have kept the rest of the rotation on regular rest to face the Braves.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) September 10, 2020
Voth has lost all five of his decisions this year, and the Nats are 1-6 in games he has started. He has one good start on his record, but from a baseball perspective, his starts feel like he is the “opener” of doom as he has lasted an average of less than 4 1/3 innings with an ERA of 8.26. His postgame interviews tell us he has no idea what is wrong — just that it is not working. Sure, we can hope for the best or have a plan in place in case if it is not working. These have to be “must win” games if the Nats truly want to be in the postseason. Continue reading
Photo by Andrew Lang for TalkNats
The number is not zero. The number is 3.6 percent. That is better odds than it was on Friday. Yes, we are talking about the Washington Nationals chances of making the postseason. They don’t have to go 19-0 to make it into the postseason, but they probably need to go 15-4 to make the dance. Their current situation is bleak as they are the third worst team in the Nationals League at the moment. But because it is 2020, there are now eight postseason berths. Continue reading
Photo by Sol Tucker
Time for an off-day fun post: lets talk about rules and what changes we would like to see and what changes we expect MLB will make. I suspect that these two sets of rules will have very little overlap.
In the spirit of brainstorming sessions, no suggestion is too silly or off-beat. You never can tell where a completely impracticable suggestion can lead to. And this post will throw out some ideas that clearly won’t happen as they are written.
Please also consider countering any suggested idea with a modification that limits it use (e.g. I like the idea – but only for extra innings).
So lets get started. Continue reading
Strikeout by Anibal Sanchez; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
The Nats swept the American League’s best team, and have now won four times in five games to make you wonder if this is the hot streak the Nats needed. Anibal Sanchez went five innings of shutout baseball but ran into some trouble in the 6th inning and surrendered three runs. The Nats led the whole game, and everyone contributed to this win. Continue reading
Soto is supposed to return today; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
In this two-game series with the Rays, it looks like a complete mismatch in the ERA comparisons with today’s starters. Anibal Sanchez is at 6.48 for his earned run average, and the Rays have lefty Ryan Yarbrough almost 3-runs better at 3.65. The first place Tampa Bay team had been scoring over five runs a game at a time that the Nats need to go on a prolonged winning streak. Which Anibal Sanchez shows up tonight? Sanchez had that one great start on August 23rd when he held the Marlins to one run over 7.0 innings. The rest of his starts have averaged 4.38 innings and a 7.86 ERA. Continue reading
Is Trea Turner the new face of the Nats?; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
With general manager Mike Rizzo penned for the next three years, what does the short-term look like? Certainly Dave Martinez is the longest tenured Washington Nationals’ manager in terms of full-seasons as he will finish his third season this year. He would have set the mark for most games managed this year if the season was not cut back to 60-games due to COVID. Once Martinez surpasses 410 games, he will set the new record over Manny Acta. That is not much of an accomplishment when you consider that Acta’s mark was just 2 ½ seasons. Continue reading
Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
It was vintage Max Scherzer tonight as he went 7.0 innings of shutout baseball while being pitch efficient to stymie the first place Tampa Bay Rays. It was Scherzer’s 174th career win, and he controlled the game. His offense got him 6-runs of support which is all Max needed although his bullpen loaded the bases in the 9th and with two outs, manager Dave Martinez went to his closer Daniel Hudson who quickly notched his eighth save of the season. Continue reading
"Opening Day should be a National holiday"
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