Catching the Dodgers

[aspenbubba]

They are the only team to win 15 of 16 and lose 15 of 16 in the same season... ever.  I find that somewhat Twilight Zone-ish, don't you?

Bi-polar if you ask me.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

So on balance they are truly average.  Like how one can drown in a stream whose average depth is 4 inches.

They are the only team to win 15 of 16 and lose 15 of 16 in the same season... ever.  I find that somewhat Twilight Zone-ish, don't you?

[NatsAllThe Way]

So on balance they are truly average.  Like how one can drown in a stream whose average depth is 4 inches.

That would have made a good Twilight Zone episode too. 

[dcpatti]

Really interesting FanGraphs article on the collapsing of the Dodgers. Of note: over the last 6 weeks, Alex Wood has been putting up metrics that look kinda like Ubaldo Jiminez' numbers 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-dodgers-look-beyond-terrible-right-now/

[Slateman]

We should lose out and let the Cubs have the number 1 seed. Then we can face the Dodgers in the NLDS

[bluestreak]

We should lose out and let the Cubs have the number 1 seed. Then we can face the Dodgers in the NLDS

I know you’re joking, but Cubs would have to play .800 baseball if Dodgers didn’t win again to get #1 seed.

[varoadking]

I know you’re joking, but Cubs would have to play .800 baseball if Dodgers didn’t win again to get #1 seed.

So you're saying there's a chance?

[Slateman]

I know you’re joking, but Cubs would have to play .800 baseball if Dodgers didn’t win again to get #1 seed.

So you're saying there's a chance?

[spidernat]

Honestly don't want to. Would rather play Cubs than the Diamondbacks. They may be tanking for that reason 

We have such a sissified fanbase. I hope the players aren't thinking like this.

[Count Walewski]

I actually suspect the players respect the Arizona Diamondbacks even more than the fans do: they're more familiar with the game and have more respect for how hard it is to get as hot as the D'Backs are now, and they probably also know some of the guys on the team and are getting first hand accounts of how the D'Backs are rolling.

Also there's probably some portion of the fanbase that genuinely does not follow MLB goings-on from outside of Washington. And with the D'Backs being essentially on the west coast for baseball purposes, that is exacerbated by how far away they are and how the east coast media traditionally does not cover west coast teams as closely.

[DPMOmaha]

Nats match-up with anyone in baseball, even without Harper. There's not a team they should fear. Not peak Dodgers, Indians, Astros, Dbacks or Cubs. Doesn't mean they'll beat any of those teams but they're every bit as good. Since the ASB, they've been playing at a 106 win pace, I don't really care what seed they finish with.

[spidernat]

Nats match-up with anyone in baseball, even without Harper. There's not a team they should fear. Not peak Dodgers, Indians, Astros, Dbacks or Cubs. Doesn't mean they'll beat any of those teams but they're every bit as good. Since the ASB, they've been playing at a 106 win pace, I don't really care what seed they finish with.

Exactly!


All of a sudden people are afraid of the diamondbacks! I don't give a freak how hot they are, you win as many games as you can and whatever seed that earns you you take the field and beat who ever is scheduled.

[dcpatti]

All of a sudden people are afraid of the diamondbacks!

Must be th arrows, cause I don't think anyone's afraid of Fernando Rodney's  4.68 ERA except maybe his agent.

[Ray D]

You know, we took 4 of 6 from the Diamondbacks.

[bluestreak]

Nats match-up with anyone in baseball, even without Harper. There's not a team they should fear. Not peak Dodgers, Indians, Astros, Dbacks or Cubs. Doesn't mean they'll beat any of those teams but they're every bit as good. Since the ASB, they've been playing at a 106 win pace, I don't really care what seed they finish with.

The only reason I care is that I selfishly would like extra games at Nats Park.

[Optics]

I'm not afraid of anyone. I think we're good enough to win the World Series even without Harper.

Bring it on nags.

[Baseball is Life]

The only reason I care is that I selfishly would like extra games at Nats Park.

This. It would also help if they would get by the first round.

[aBaltoNat]

You know, we took 4 of 6 from the Diamondbacks.

You're welcome. My win % for live games is stellar.

[dcpatti]

Dodgers lost *again.*. To the Giants. In a bullpen game after rain limits the Giants starter to one single out.  Let that sink in a minute... the dodgers lost against the Giants bullpen.

[aspenbubba]

Dodgers lost *again.*. To the Giants. In a bullpen game after rain limits the Giants starter to one single out.  Let that sink in a minute... the dodgers lost against the Giants bullpen.

3.5 games behind

[dcpatti]

Huh. Apparently our old friend Denard Span sent one into McCovey Cove last night. Good job Span!

[3bside]

If we get the D-backs or Rockies in the first round, we're going to get the worst starting times.

[spidernat]

If we get the D-backs or Rockies in the first round, we're going to get the worst starting times.

[GNatsNoMore]

Anyone know when they're likely to announce the starters for the Dodgers series? I can only go to the Friday or Saturday game, and I was hoping to see Strasburg or Scherzer pitch, but I know it won't be Max's turn.  It looks like Strasburg's turn would normally be Saturday, but I wonder if they'd pitch him Friday (still on regular rest) to gain ground on/make a statement against the reeling Dodgers. 

[DPMOmaha]

If the pattern holds, it'll be Ejax on Friday, Stras on Saturday and Gio on Sunday.

Could see them throw Cole in there somewhere, too.