If We Were Starting the Playoffs Today......

[spidernat]

on a different topic, what do you guys think we could get for j zimm in the offseason?

We should wait until we've won the world series before we start talking about trading ZNN.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

And you ESPECIALLY don't want to overtax your bullpen early in a series. I'd be really afraid with Strasburg or Zimmermann that we'd end up using up our best bullpen guys in a losing effort in game 1.

Zimmermann?  did you mean Gonzalez?

I'm OK with Fister ahead of JZ.  There's arguments both ways.  You say throw out the first post season start on Fister.  OK, do that with JZ and you are left with a tough as nails bullpen appearance and his regular season track record.  The guy that both ERA and the defense independent measures agree on as around a 3 run per 9 guy (unlike Roark, who has  a similar ERA but worse dip stats), comparable WHIP (what is the difference between 1.07, 1.09, and 1.13?), and a blow out the water (K-BB)%?

I'm guessing you wrote a typo. 

[More of #34]

I don't want to get anything for JZ.  Let him stay here!

[NJ Ave]

Zimmermann?  did you mean Gonzalez?

I'm OK with Fister ahead of JZ.  There's arguments both ways.  You say throw out the first post season start on Fister.  OK, do that with JZ and you are left with a tough as nails bullpen appearance and his regular season track record.  The guy that both ERA and the defense independent measures agree on as around a 3 run per 9 guy (unlike Roark, who has  a similar ERA but worse dip stats), comparable WHIP (what is the difference between 1.07, 1.09, and 1.13?), and a blow out the water (K-BB)%?

I'm guessing you wrote a typo. 

No, I meant to include Zimmermann. Gio wouldn't even be in my starting rotation - he runs WAYYYY too hot and would be disastrous for the bullpen if he couldn't find the strike zone. Serious candidate for getting the hook in like the 2nd inning.

If I were making a playoff rotation for the Nationals, my first criteria would be that I would want my best chance at a SP giving up 2 runs or fewer. Fister is 14/19 (74%) this year in that regard, Zimmermann is 16/26 (62%), Strasburg is 16/28 (57%), Roark is 18/26 (69%), Gio is 11/21 (52%).

My second criteria would be the pitcher who I feel has the least chance of "blowing up" and giving up like 4+ runs and leaving us behind. Fister is 3/19 (16%), Zimmermann 5/26 (19%), Strasburg 8/28 (29%), Roark 5/26 (19%), Gio 6/21 (29%).

I also don't understand how you can equate Zimmermann's postseason record with Fister's. They are not comparable to me. I'm throwing out one start out of 8, you're throwing out Zimmermann's ONLY postseason start. Fister has demonstrated, with 7 starts in a row over 3 postseason years, that he has the ability to perform. Zimmermann has NEVER done it before except in one inning where 2 of the 3 batters he faced were Pete Kozma and Kyle Lohse.

I'm not saying I don't trust Zimmermann, or that he won't perform. I think he will. But in a divisional series, after what happened last time, I think it's imperative the Nationals get settled in and feel comfortable, and I feel like that's what Fister brings to the table.

[NJ Ave]

Also JCA, I fully concede that you could be right about Zimmermann. Maybe it was just one bad start against the Cards and he'll be a shutdown SP in the postseason from now on. But that's what happens when you blow the only opportunity you've had - why take the chance on it NOT being a coincidence when you have someone like Fister available?

[Mathguy]

Don't even think of such stupidity

on a different topic, what do you guys think we could get for j zimm in the offseason?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Also JCA, I fully concede that you could be right about Zimmermann. Maybe it was just one bad start against the Cards and he'll be a shutdown SP in the postseason from now on. But that's what happens when you blow the only opportunity you've had - why take the chance on it NOT being a coincidence when you have someone like Fister available?

I agree that JZ is inexperienced in the post season relative to Fister.  I do wonder how Fister always ended up at the back of Leyland's playoff rotations, but that should not take away from what he actually did.

Pretty clearly, 3 pitchers are ahead of the other two in terms of performance so far this year, and, of the 3, it's been Fister then JZ/Roark.  My only pause about Fister is some defense independent and batted ball stuff (lot's of pulled flies this year).  I worry about contact against better hitting line ups.  It's only a pause, though.  He probably deserves the start, but I would not be surprised if JZ outperforms him in the playoffs.  But I'm also the guy who wanted to extennd zimmermann after his first couple of starts in 2011.

[zimm_da_kid]

Don't even think of such stupidity

Well we're not keeping Zimmermann, Fister, and Desmond because those are all going to cost $100mm+ and there is no chance in hell we're letting fister go.

[DPMOmaha]

Well we're not keeping Zimmermann, Fister, and Desmond because those are all going to cost $100mm+ and there is no chance in hell we're letting fister go.

There's not?

[varoadking]

There's not?

No...

[HalfSmokes]

Sure, and it will outweight all the good work that Roark did (who has absolutely earned it) from April on. That's my point.

if nothing else, sports writers are probably salivating. They get the initial story about the decision and if the guy chosen posts a loss, a whole lot of column inches second guessing

[HalfSmokes]

No...

apparently players no longer have free will - Fister is no longer going to realize he's one year away from a massive deal and choosing where he plays and decide to take what the nats are offering

[varoadking]

Apparently...

[whytev]

No, I meant to include Zimmermann. Gio wouldn't even be in my starting rotation - he runs WAYYYY too hot and would be disastrous for the bullpen if he couldn't find the strike zone. Serious candidate for getting the hook in like the 2nd inning.

If I were making a playoff rotation for the Nationals, my first criteria would be that I would want my best chance at a SP giving up 2 runs or fewer. Fister is 14/19 (74%) this year in that regard, Zimmermann is 16/26 (62%), Strasburg is 16/28 (57%), Roark is 18/26 (69%), Gio is 11/21 (52%).

My second criteria would be the pitcher who I feel has the least chance of "blowing up" and giving up like 4+ runs and leaving us behind. Fister is 3/19 (16%), Zimmermann 5/26 (19%), Strasburg 8/28 (29%), Roark 5/26 (19%), Gio 6/21 (29%).

I also don't understand how you can equate Zimmermann's postseason record with Fister's. They are not comparable to me. I'm throwing out one start out of 8, you're throwing out Zimmermann's ONLY postseason start. Fister has demonstrated, with 7 starts in a row over 3 postseason years, that he has the ability to perform. Zimmermann has NEVER done it before except in one inning where 2 of the 3 batters he faced were Pete Kozma and Kyle Lohse.

I'm not saying I don't trust Zimmermann, or that he won't perform. I think he will. But in a divisional series, after what happened last time, I think it's imperative the Nationals get settled in and feel comfortable, and I feel like that's what Fister brings to the table.

Zimmermann is not the guy to be gun shy over.

Average IP/start this year:

DF 6.53
TR 6.39
SS 6.25
JZ 6.12
GG 5.71

If longevity is your worry, aside from Gio they are all within 2 outs.

[GburgNatsFan]

1. Not Gio
2. Not Gio
3. Not Gio
4. Not Gio
5. Detwiler

[pazzo83]

Let's stop talking about the playoffs for a while, bad karma.

[spidernat]

In spite of all the hand wringing we're in. Book it!

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Let's stop talking about the playoffs for a while, bad karma.

You're right.  We're definitely affecting the outcome of these games.

We should wait until we've won the world series before we start talking about trading ZNN.

You're going to look really foolish for this later.

[spidernat]

You're going to look really foolish for this later.

It just seems freaking stupid to be talking about off season trades when we're in the thick of a pennant race.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

I'm with you there.  I was just referring to the World Series remark.

[Displaced Bucco]

These discussions are so much more fun than debating what draft position we will get and who will be available in the first few picks!

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

no kidding

These discussions are so much more fun than debating what draft position we will get and who will be available in the first few picks!

[spidernat]

These discussions are so much more fun than debating what draft position we will get and who will be available in the first few picks!

SF may disagree. He loves him some young prospects.

[Displaced Bucco]

SF may disagree. He loves him some young prospects.

"Prospects"...is that what he calls teenage girls??   

[spidernat]

No he don't roll like that. He just likes players under 25.