The last game between the Cardinals and the Nationals was last night and the winner would go onto the face the Giants in the NLCS.
The Nationals would get off to an early start scoring 6 runs over the first three innings of play, which included three home runs. It seemed like too much for the Cardinals with Gio Gonzalez pitching against them. However, they managed to get back in the game scoring 5 runs through 8 innings. Still being down by two in the 9th inning, the Cardinals had to rally.
After a lead off double by Beltran and then a ground out (which moved Beltran to third) and a strikeout, the Cards were down to their last out even strike a couple of times. However, the next two guys managed to walk to load the bases allowing Daniel Descalso to hit a single to center to score two runs to tie the game. After Descalso stole second, Pete Kozma hit a double down the RF line to score in two more runs to take the lead. The Cards were on top. The Nationals went three up and three down in the bottom of the 9th with Ryan Zimmerman popping out to second to end the game. Cardinals comeback and win 9-7 and take the series 3-2.
The Cards manage to comeback from a 6 run deficit and win the game to advance to the NLCS. An amazing game from the defending champs. They now have to travel to San Francisco to take on the Giants in game 1 of the NLCS, The great hitting of the Cardinals got them by the pitching of the Nats but can they stand up against the pitching of the Giants?
P.S. While the Cardinals are a good team and should make for a close series, the Giants might fare better against them than the Nationals. The Giants were 3-3 vs. the Cardinals during the regular season while they were just 1-5 against the Nationals. Whether the Giants take any merit in these numbers for postseason play, I'm sure they will be glad to just start the NLCS at home.
P.P.S. Yankees won? Let's go Tigers.
Showing posts with label Nationals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nationals. Show all posts
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Strasburg Shut Down? Is he Hurt? Just Mentally
The Nationals didn't know they would be in striking distance of a World Series when they started this season. The only thing they did know is that they would shut down their ace Stephen Strasburg after about 160 innings in 2012.
The thought behind the 160 innings limit was seemingly a doctoral prescription. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, the medical staff recommended limiting Strasburg's innings for this season. That would have been fine and probably noncontroversial if not for the fact that the Nationals are good this year. They are currently at least 6 games in front of any team in the NL East and the probability of making the playoffs is a practical guarantee. Despite this outcome, the Nationals have stood by the fact that they will shut down Stephen Strasburg for the year and fairly soon.
Time went on and the shut down date was within a week. Last night Strasburg pitched terribly for the Nationals going just 3 innings and allowing 5 earned runs in a 9-7 loss to the Marlins. Davey Johnson, the Manager of the Nationals, thinks Strasburg was thinking too much about the impending shutdown. So to solve the problem, the team decided to shut down Strasburg's season now than later in week as was expected. Strasburg finishes the year going 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 197 K's. He pitched 159 1/3 innings this season.
And so the stupidest decision in sports history was finally made. I ain't going to sugar coat anything: I think the decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg for the year was the dumbest thing I ever heard of. It would've been one thing if the Nationals as a team still stunk but they don't anymore. They have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and are a fairly good hitting team. They have a real shot to win a World Series now.
Instead what do they do? They choose the side of caution with one of the players (and asset) and are basically pulling punches for playoffs. Sports are about winning titles and going all in when you can. This is the time to go all in. The excuse that this move is to ensure future title runs is dumbfounded. When it comes to predicting the future in sports, nothing is a guarantee. No one can tell how long a team will stay good. Just ask the Red Sox.
Sports are about trying to win titles when you can. I know franchises have to build for the future but what is the point of doing that when you don't go for the titles your building for?
P.S. Also, there could've been other ways to keep this going. They could've sent him to bullpen duty for a while, started his season later, not listened to the docs and go all in.
The thought behind the 160 innings limit was seemingly a doctoral prescription. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, the medical staff recommended limiting Strasburg's innings for this season. That would have been fine and probably noncontroversial if not for the fact that the Nationals are good this year. They are currently at least 6 games in front of any team in the NL East and the probability of making the playoffs is a practical guarantee. Despite this outcome, the Nationals have stood by the fact that they will shut down Stephen Strasburg for the year and fairly soon.
Time went on and the shut down date was within a week. Last night Strasburg pitched terribly for the Nationals going just 3 innings and allowing 5 earned runs in a 9-7 loss to the Marlins. Davey Johnson, the Manager of the Nationals, thinks Strasburg was thinking too much about the impending shutdown. So to solve the problem, the team decided to shut down Strasburg's season now than later in week as was expected. Strasburg finishes the year going 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 197 K's. He pitched 159 1/3 innings this season.
And so the stupidest decision in sports history was finally made. I ain't going to sugar coat anything: I think the decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg for the year was the dumbest thing I ever heard of. It would've been one thing if the Nationals as a team still stunk but they don't anymore. They have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and are a fairly good hitting team. They have a real shot to win a World Series now.
Instead what do they do? They choose the side of caution with one of the players (and asset) and are basically pulling punches for playoffs. Sports are about winning titles and going all in when you can. This is the time to go all in. The excuse that this move is to ensure future title runs is dumbfounded. When it comes to predicting the future in sports, nothing is a guarantee. No one can tell how long a team will stay good. Just ask the Red Sox.
Sports are about trying to win titles when you can. I know franchises have to build for the future but what is the point of doing that when you don't go for the titles your building for?
P.S. Also, there could've been other ways to keep this going. They could've sent him to bullpen duty for a while, started his season later, not listened to the docs and go all in.
Monday, July 9, 2012
2012 MLB Season So Far: BLOODY PIRATES!!!
The first half of the season is over with the arrival of the All Star Break (a break that I am hating more and more with each passing year) and some of the 1st place teams that are currently there are interesting to analyze. Probably the most intriguing of all of them are the Pittsburgh Pirates who just win 2 of 3 from the Giants and are in front of the NL Central by one game. James McDonald and a NY stress free AJ Burnett are pitching well and Andrew McCutchen is on the way to becoming an MVP winner. Pittsburgh seems really excited about them and I have to admit that they look good. They might need a bit more to hold off the Reds and the Cardinals but they look like they can actually pull it off. Despite my recent hate for them, I have some faith in the Pirates this year.
As for the rest of the standings, the Yankees seem like the most comfortable team in baseball with a 7 game lead in the AL East entering the break. Damn Yanks might have aging vets but they are using them well like Andruw Jones who just had a big weekend against the Red Sox with 4 Homers over 3 games. Meanwhile, the Sox are 9.5 back and are tied for last in the division. Lester and Beckett have to get better but that team has to also stay healthy. Despite what has happened so far, they still have a shot but have to start the second half strong.
A couple other surprise teams that are grabbing attention are the Nationals and the Dodgers. The Nats seem like a stronger ball club going forward and seem to be ready for October this year. Meanwhile the Dodgers need more offense if they want to stay in front in the NL West. Hope the Giants get it first. Then the White Sox have control over the AL Central and the no surprise that the Rangers have a tight grasp over the AL West yet again.
The break is here and I have nothing to watch for the next few days. Pity that there is no "actual" baseball on.
As for the rest of the standings, the Yankees seem like the most comfortable team in baseball with a 7 game lead in the AL East entering the break. Damn Yanks might have aging vets but they are using them well like Andruw Jones who just had a big weekend against the Red Sox with 4 Homers over 3 games. Meanwhile, the Sox are 9.5 back and are tied for last in the division. Lester and Beckett have to get better but that team has to also stay healthy. Despite what has happened so far, they still have a shot but have to start the second half strong.
A couple other surprise teams that are grabbing attention are the Nationals and the Dodgers. The Nats seem like a stronger ball club going forward and seem to be ready for October this year. Meanwhile the Dodgers need more offense if they want to stay in front in the NL West. Hope the Giants get it first. Then the White Sox have control over the AL Central and the no surprise that the Rangers have a tight grasp over the AL West yet again.
The break is here and I have nothing to watch for the next few days. Pity that there is no "actual" baseball on.
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