Baseball 2015 (1 Viewer)

[lancer]

I stayed up to watch some of the Giants game and it's easy to say that the Nats look lifeless because they're not driving in any runs but they look like a team that just needs that one big hit to get them going and right now they're not getting it. Hitting is contagious and if they can get that hit, they might get out of their doldrums. Of course, I don't mind ^&grin In addition, they have run into some good pitching lately and that will make any team look bad.

As an aside, I don't think Bob Carpenter, the Nats TV play by play man, is very good. F.P. Santangelo is not bad and makes some good points but they don't really talk to each other. The Mets' broadcasters always seem to have a conversation and Gary Cohen sort of directs the conversation with Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling. Gary is an excellent play by play man and Ron and Keith know the game and aren't afraid to criticize the team, which doesn't endear them to management but they are institutions; you can't mess with them.

Hi Brad,
Interesting about your comments regarding the Nats broadcast team. They drive me crazy and have since taking over the job a couple of seasons back. Always the same stuff; this guy is on the verge of a big season, this guy is heating up, and always a lot of past history. No one is ever to blame and it's bad break this, bad break that. Believe it or not, I liked Rob Dibble when he was part of the team. He called things as he saw them and got fired for it. Go figure.
The Nats have been waiting for that one big hit all season. They have had it on occasion but the momentum never carries over. Truth is, this offense has been hit or miss all season. They have played 114 games and in 44 of them they have scored 2 or fewer runs (and are 10-34 in those games). A team just can't win with such scoring inconsistency. Nats are 10-17 since the break and have the look of a clueless team. I made a calculation back on August 4 that at the rate they were going, they might win 85 games. That is beginning to look generous. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Al,

When Taylor got in the 9th and Espinosa came to the plate, I thought this might be the chance. If he could have gotten a hit, I think the dam would have broken.

I don't think teams like outspoken broadcasters. I never watched Dibble but as he didn't have a long term connection to the Nats, he obviously didn't have much leverage. In NY Keith and Ron are gods. If they tried to muzzle or fire them, there would be a revolt. Real fury. The Mets had a good team in the 80s with Steve Zabriskie, Tim McCarver and Ralph Kiner, who were honest. This was when Timmy was at the top of his form. Eventually he left as he was getting a national reputation and Mets management was getting tired of him. Ralph wasn't going anywhere. Again, a God. On the radio side they had Bob Murphy and Gary Thorne, just great broadcasters. Still love listening to Gary. Great announcer. The current radio play by play guy, Howie Rose, is also very good. Knows everything Mets. A local guy. His sidekick, Josh Lewin, is a bit annoying, however. Not my favorite. I know everyone makes fun of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman, who do the Yankees gamesm but I like them. I think they're good.

 

[jazzeum]

Ron Darling was just on the radio. Among other things, he thought there was no excuse for the way the Nats were playing and how they were talking. He also mentioned that Keith thought that the last 3 games with the Mets would be meaningless. Ron wasn't ready to say that -- nor am I -- but he thought that come September the Nats would have one good run in them (it's inevitable) and that the Mets would have to withstand that charge. Good for character building he said.

 

[lancer]

Ron Darling was just on the radio. Among other things, he thought there was no excuse for the way the Nats were playing and how they were talking. He also mentioned that Keith thought that the last 3 games with the Mets would be meaningless. Ron wasn't ready to say that -- nor am I -- but he thought that come September the Nats would have one good run in them (it's inevitable) and that the Mets would have to withstand that charge. Good for character building he said.

Brad, I only hope the Nats are in a position where a September run is possible and can be meaningful. The way they are playing at this moment, they could very well be DOA by September. Someone has to wake up and start playing with some intensity and, more importantly, some urgency. This keep cool and an even keel and we'll get them tomorrow stuff is fine, as long as it works, and right now it isn't. Time to shake things up a bit. -- Al

 

[maddadicus]

Al,

When Taylor got in the 9th and Espinosa came to the plate, I thought this might be the chance. If he could have gotten a hit, I think the dam would have broken.

I don't think teams like outspoken broadcasters. I never watched Dibble but as he didn't have a long term connection to the Nats, he obviously didn't have much leverage. In NY Keith and Ron are gods. If they tried to muzzle or fire them, there would be a revolt. Real fury. The Mets had a good team in the 80s with Steve Zabriskie, Tim McCarver and Ralph Kiner, who were honest. This was when Timmy was at the top of his form. Eventually he left as he was getting a national reputation and Mets management was getting tired of him. Ralph wasn't going anywhere. Again, a God. On the radio side they had Bob Murphy and Gary Thorne, just great broadcasters. Still love listening to Gary. Great announcer. The current radio play by play guy, Howie Rose, is also very good. Knows everything Mets. A local guy. His sidekick, Josh Lewin, is a bit annoying, however. Not my favorite. I know everyone makes fun of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman, who do the Yankees gamesm but I like them. I think they're good.

Its high, its far, its deep, its a double..?^&grin Michael ..I have a man crush on Sterling.:redface2:

 

[jazzeum]

John has missed a few that is true. Before the Yankees moved to WFAN, Boomer & Carton and Francesa would make fun of some of his mistakes. Funny stuff.

 

[jazzeum]

A somewhat aggravating performance by Parnell in an otherwise good game between two good teams. Mets are not having good success with the NL Central this year. Mets had few opportunities and the Pirates held them in check in the third with runners on 2nd and 3rd and no body out. Well, tomorrow is another day :smile2:

 

[jazzeum]

The way Romo dissected Rendon in the top of the 8th was clinical: hitters just have no chance!

 

[lancer]

The way Romo dissected Rendon in the top of the 8th was clinical: hitters just have no chance!

It figures, when you are going bad, your best pitcher gets stomped and then we score more runs then we have in days to get close, and our bullpen just can't hold. SF has some deep power alleys in that park. Once again, why does Williams bat for Robinson, who hits lefties well, and already had 2 hits, with Werth, who is completely lost at the plate right now? I just don't get it. Nats now 10-18 since the break. Smells like collapse to me. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I hear your frustration. Has Scherzer been overworked? I looked at his recent stats and not looking too good. He's 1-2 in the last 30 days with a 5.18 ERA and when you bring the stats forward, it only gets worse.

Yankees had a big win last night. I guess Michael is off the ledge ^&grin

 

[lancer]

I hear your frustration. Has Scherzer been overworked? I looked at his recent stats and not looking too good. He's 1-2 in the last 30 days with a 5.18 ERA and when you bring the stats forward, it only gets worse.

Yankees had a big win last night. I guess Michael is off the ledge ^&grin

Brad, interesting question about Scherzer and one that is being asked here in DC. He is on pace to pitch a career high in innings, but not by much. He is averaging 7 innings a start, so maybe he is getting tired. He throws a lot of pitches/strikeouts, so that may be a factor. At any rate he certainly hasn't been as effective post-break as he was pre-break, but neither has the whole team. Scherzer is a worry and he has to come around for the Nats to have any chance. -- Al

 

[lancer]

Doesn't appear as though King Felix had it working against Boston today. Gave up a TD and FG in just 2.1 innings. Both bullpens should have stayed home, too. :rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[Panzer ace]

The more I watch the Nats falter the more I realize that much of it comes down to Williams. They seem flat and unmotivated despite the fact that they are in the thick of a pennant race.

 

[lancer]

Chris Davis is on fire. Leads the majors in RBI's and is 2nd in Hr's. O's with 2 walk-off wins in a row. Maybe, just maybe, things starting to happen in B-more. -- Al

 

[maddadicus]

The demise of the Yankees, George, might have been a little premature. Michael

 

[lancer]

The more I watch the Nats falter the more I realize that much of it comes down to Williams. They seem flat and unmotivated despite the fact that they are in the thick of a pennant race.

And Williams continues to struggle with his pitchers. Gonzalez tends to lose control fast so maybe it's a hint when he walks the opposing pitcher and gives up 4 runs before recording an out. Roark was brought in after the damage was done, 2 runs too late, at least. What was Williams waiting for? This whole situation is getting away from the Nats. -- Al

 

[lancer]

And Williams continues to struggle with his pitchers. Gonzalez tends to lose control fast so maybe it's a hint when he walks the opposing pitcher and gives up 4 runs before recording an out. Roark was brought in after the damage was done, 2 runs too late, at least. What was Williams waiting for? This whole situation is getting away from the Nats. -- Al

One thing that certainly isn't Williams' fault is the bad bullpen. It sure would be nice if the bullpen didn't actually throw gasoline on the fire game after game. Bad enough we have to play catch-up but that the bullpen continues to deepen the deficit night after night. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

It's obvious that the NL East just isn't as good as the other divisions :redface2:

 

[Warrior]

The demise of the Yankees, George, might have been a little premature. Michael

Yup and in typical MFY fashion, the corpse of Carlos Beltran was the spark that lit the fuse. He's what, 47 now and Friday night, he gets in his scooter, comes up to home plate and crushes a pinch hit three run home run, then yesterday he hits another one.

The Yankees were dead men walking prior to that bomb, now they've got their second wind and are a shoe in now to win it all, another parade, ring #28, it's all coming up roses for you now Mike.

Is there a fountain of youth out in monument park or is he hooked up with the same guy who's taking care of ARoid and Horseface?

Corpses get wheeled into MFY stadium and their careers are reborn...............nothing to see here, move along folks.

Must be those pinstripes...........:rolleyes2:

 

[jazzeum]

That pinch run HR might have changed the season around for the Yankees and sunk it for the Jays.

Although he had a good Mets career and it's probably unfair but Met fans will never forgive for taking the called third strike against Wainwright in game 7 of the 2006 NLCS. I don't, although I know it's illogical to blame him for the loss.