2017 Baseball Season: Let's Play Two! (2 Viewers)

[lancer]

I think today is the day. The games have been tight and the Nats are playing at home, so advantage Nats. The Cubs are tenacious but this is not the same team as last year; something is missing. In addition, assuming you discount 1981 when they were the Expos, they have lost series in even numbered years so today just has to be different!

I like the logic. Hope it works out like that. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I haven’t been following the Nationals too much lately but I see Murphy is hitting fifth. Is there a reason he’s been dropped? Is it to protect Harper?

 

[lancer]

I haven’t been following the Nationals too much lately but I see Murphy is hitting fifth. Is there a reason he’s been dropped? Is it to protect Harper?

Brad, that's the way Baker runs the line-up when everyone is available. Murphy has batted higher but it's been when injuries necessitated it. Baker just loves the line-up with L Harper at #3, R Zimmerman at #4, L Murphy #5, R Rendon #6 and switch-hitter Wieters at #7, turned whichever way is appropriate. The only real question is R Werth at #2. The pundits don't feel his average warrants it, but Dusty likes the vet there. Taylor has done very well out of the #8 spot so he will probably remain there and Turner is undisputed lead-off. Dusty just loves that R-L-R-L-R-Sw that he has as the heart of his order, as they all protect each other. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks. I think he’d be better at 2 or 3 but they don’t pay me to make those decisions.

 

[lancer]

Having an attack of nerves since finding out Gio Gonzalez was picked as tonight's starter. Gio had a good year but faded from the end of August, going 2-4 over his last 7 starts, including post-season. He just hasn't been the same pitcher that he was in June, July, and most of August. He has given up 24 earned runs over his last 37.1 innings. He actually led the Nats in IP (by 1/3 of an inning over Scherzer) and pitched his most innings since 2011, so it is perfectly possible he is just tired. Whatever the reason for his falloff, I sure hope he's up to the mark tonight. It's a huge game, especially for Gio, who has been known to lose his cool. Got me worried, but he is capable. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Was the other choice Tanner Roark? If so, his ERA was very high this year.

 

[lancer]

Was the other choice Tanner Roark? If so, his ERA was very high this year.

Yeah, there wasn't really a go-to pitcher left so Gio got the call. You are right about Roark. He had an off-year, very inconsistent. You can bet the mint that Dusty was overjoyed with Game 4 being delayed a day, allowing him to start Strasburg instead of Roark. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

The Nats aren’t helping themselves right now. I also thought bringing in Scherzer at this point was odd.

Fortunately, it’s only the fifth inning.

 

[lancer]

Having an attack of nerves since finding out Gio Gonzalez was picked as tonight's starter. Gio had a good year but faded from the end of August, going 2-4 over his last 7 starts, including post-season. He just hasn't been the same pitcher that he was in June, July, and most of August. He has given up 24 earned runs over his last 37.1 innings. He actually led the Nats in IP (by 1/3 of an inning over Scherzer) and pitched his most innings since 2011, so it is perfectly possible he is just tired. Whatever the reason for his falloff, I sure hope he's up to the mark tonight. It's a huge game, especially for Gio, who has been known to lose his cool. Got me worried, but he is capable. -- Al

Gio wasn't sharp, as I feared he might not be, but the Nats are finding another way to throw this game away. First off, I don't understand why Scherzer was brought in. Dusty has a bullpen full of relief pitchers whose job it is to relieve, so why change the way you managed all year? Scherzer didn't have it and the 5th inning is going to go down in infamy in Nats history. UGLY inning. It's that old playoff pressure again. -- Al

 

[Warrior]

Gio wasn't sharp, as I feared he might not be, but the Nats are finding another way to throw this game away. First off, I don't understand why Scherzer was brought in. Dusty has a bullpen full of relief pitchers whose job it is to relieve, so why change the way you managed all year? Scherzer didn't have it and the 5th inning is going to go down in infamy in Nats history. UGLY inning. It's that old playoff pressure again. -- Al

Good Christ was that ugly; the Cubs have 7 runs on what, two hits?

Still a long way to go and two series yet to be played, but if the WS is MFY's/Cubs, I'm rooting for that super volcano out in Yellowstone to erupt and put me out of my baseball misery.........................

 

[jazzeum]

I think he panicked bringing him so early. I could understand the sixth or seventh. I also think it was important to get a run back, at least, to prevent the Cubs from having a lockdown inning. I still think there will be a lot of twists and turns before it’s over.

 

[lancer]

I think he panicked bringing him so early. I could understand the sixth or seventh. I also think it was important to get a run back, at least, to prevent the Cubs from having a lockdown inning. I still think there will be a lot of twists and turns before it’s over.

I agree about the move to Scherzer. I just don't get it. At any rate, the Nats seem determined to blow this. It really seems like the pressure has gotten to them as they are playing like crap. But what can you do when the moves don't work and the players don't execute? -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Now, it’s the Cubs turn to outsmart themselves. Strop was pitching well but Maddon wants to go with the matchups and so forth.

This is going to be tight the rest of the way.

 

[lancer]

For a series that had featured some really good pitching, this game has been the complete opposite, on both sides.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Lobaton’s taking a big lead where there was nowhere to go is potentially the bone head move of the series if the Nats don’t win it. Davis is looking very shaky, though.

 

[lancer]

A hard fought game, with no one giving an inch, but the Nats playoff jinx continues as they lose 9-8. They have no one to blame but themselves. Nats had 14 hits and 9 walks, plenty of chances, but they left 13 men on base and lost 2 men on the basepaths. This one is going to cause nightmares all winter, but we Nats fans are getting used to nightmares.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

That is a tough one to lose. Condolences Al. Maybe next year. That Lobaton gaffe looms large. They had Davis on the ropes.

Have a few stiff drinks.

 

[lancer]

That is a tough one to lose. Condolences Al. Maybe next year. That Lobaton gaffe looms large. They had Davis on the ropes.

Have a few stiff drinks.

Thanks, Brad. I don't feel as bad as I should as I was prepared for this. I don't drink so I'll have to find some other way to deal with it. Oh yeah, Spring Training is just over 4 months away.:wink2: -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

If you ever wanted to start, this would be a perfect opportunity ^&grin

Dodgers must be licking their lips as the Cubs used practically every pitcher.

 

[Warrior]

Tough loss Al, what can you say at this point.

That overturn with replay on the pick off was utter BS, I saw nothing from either angle that was conclusive.

Maddon the genius my ***.....................