While it is true that my primary rooting interests, the Nats and O's, are about toe-tagged and buried, I still have teams of interest to root for. Always been a closet NYY fan and will also be rooting for the Mets once the Nats are officially DOA. Also still watching the Giants. There is also the old favorite, the Cards, whom always seem to put a good team on the field. While not a favorite team of mine, I am keeping an eye on the Cubs as a feel good story and also because they are being led by an ex-Oriole who I like, Jake Arrieta. Lots of seeming hypocritical rooting interests, but what the heck, baseball is baseball and I want to hang in there with someone to follow.:wink2:^&grin -- Al
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I'm a complicated individual.:wink2:^&grin -- Al
In the category of what might have been: Stephen Strasburg has found his groove since getting healthy and coming off his second stint on the DL in August. He has started 8 games, 7 of them QS, has gone 5-2, and has been very sharp. Prior to August, he was 5-5 with a 5.16 ERA wrapped around the 2 DL trips. Since coming back he has thrown 52.1 innings, allowing only 33 hits, 6 walks, has fanned 72, and has pitched to a 2.25 ERA. He has fanned 37 over his last 3 starts in 22 innings. Glad to have him back in form and leading the way. -- Al
Brutal lose for the O's today as their All-Star closer, Britton, picked a bad game for his 4th blown save of the year. They needed the win to keep pace and keep their WC hopes breathing. The loss leaves them 5.5 games out of the last WC spot, with 4 teams to jump, and only 13 games left. The loss doesn't eliminate them, but it is critical at this stage. Too bad because they had been building a little momentum. -- Al
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A week to forget, culminating in yesterday's debacle. A total embarrassment. Things can change quickly in a week. From looking like world beaters to looking like egg beaters 
This week is another week and by Sunday we will know if the games with the Nationals will be meaningful. At this point it's hard to tell.
This week is another week and by Sunday we will know if the games with the Nationals will be meaningful. At this point it's hard to tell.
Brad, Nats finally had a good weekend. The brutal truth remains that the Nats have to make up 3 games in the next 10 for the final series to mean anything. That is a lot of ground to make up. It is going to be a VERY interesting week. We have the O's for 3 starting tonight. -- AlA week to forget, culminating in yesterday's debacle. A total embarrassment. Things can change quickly in a week. From looking like world beaters to looking like egg beaters
This week is another week and by Sunday we will know if the games with the Nationals will be meaningful. At this point it's hard to tell.
jazzeum
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Nats had a good week Al, 6-1 I think whereas the Mets did not. They stopped hitting and generally pitching. Discounting the Friday night game, they got shut out twice and scored only two yesterday. I don't want to say they revolve around Cespedes but since Tuesday he only has 1 hit.
If they can't beat up on the Braves and Reds, then they don't deserve to win. This Harvey thing has to get sorted out. It's becoming a big distraction. I understand him wanting to protect his economic future but if that's the case, then shut it down for the year and leave.
If they can't beat up on the Braves and Reds, then they don't deserve to win. This Harvey thing has to get sorted out. It's becoming a big distraction. I understand him wanting to protect his economic future but if that's the case, then shut it down for the year and leave.
Agree about Harvey. Is he or isn't he? Someone make a decision and stick to it. When the Nats shut down Strasburg in 2012, it was controversial (still is to a degree), but the decision was made early and stuck to so it wasn't a big distraction/question hanging over the team. It was what it was. Harvey was lights out last night, but the uncertainty around his use needs to end, one way or the other. Should have been decided long ago. -- Al
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It's no coincidence that they both have the same agent, Scott bleeping Boras. In the manager's post game press conference you could tell he was frustrated with the situation as well as having to rest pitchers in a pennant race. One reporter asked him what he was thinking when the game was coming apart in the 6th. He responded that you don't want to know what I'm thinking. He even cursed later on, which I thought I had imagined but then the Mets TV network later apologized after the conference was over.
It's inevitable. Murphy's Law. I write this about what's up with Samardzija and on his very next start he throws a 1-hit, complete game shutout in a 2-0 win over Detroit, and only threw 88 pitches. -- Al
jazzeum
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At Journey's End , an article about Terry Collins from three years ago.
Hate to go against the O's, but tonight it's the Nats, though it's not going well right now. Nats have to try a little harder as they don't play the O's too well, usually. O's have a little wiggle room, the Nats don't.:wink2: -- Al
Nats came a cropper tonight. Needed a good start and offense and came up short on both in a 4-1 loss. Not as if the O's didn't try to give them the game, walking 6 and committing 3 errors, but like good hosts, the Nats refused to take advantage. Idiots. -- Al
Brad, both our teams missed a chance tonight, but it is one more game done without the Nats getting closer. -- Al
Arrieta of the Cubs just wrapped up his 20th win of the season, a 3-hit shutout with 11 k's, and dropping his ERA to 1.88. The NL Cy Young award will be one of the toughest choices in a long time. Greinke's ERA lead over Arrieta has shrunk to the point (0.23) where it simply isn't enough to guarantee the award to Greinke. The other key numbers between them are equally close. There are advocates for Greinke and Kershaw but I think Arrieta has earned the award, if for no other reason than he has carried the Cubs to the post-season almost alone in terms of starting pitching. Greinke and Kershaw play well off each other, Arrieta has no one to carry the load with him. The next biggest winner on the Cubs is Lester at 10-11. -- Al