Nationals vs. Braves, Game 1

[bluestreak]

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals
September 21, 2023
Nationals Park

Atlanta Braves

Max Fried L
7-1 2.64 ERA

RF Ronald Acuna R
2B Ozzie Albies S
3B Austin Riley R
1B Matt Olson L
DH M. Ozuna R
CF M. Harris L
C T. d'Arnaud R
LF E. Rosario L
SS O. Arcia R

Washington Nationals

Jake Irvin R
3-6 4.34 ERA

SS CJ Abrams L
RF Lane Thomas R
1B Joey Meneses R
DH Keibert Ruiz S
3B C. Kieboom R
2B Luis Garcia L
C Drew Millas S
LF Alex Call R
CF Jacob Young R

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Luis has been hot, but I sort of expected Chavis against the lefty. Good opportunity for Luis.

[imref]

You are a brave soul (no pun intended) for starting this thread Blue.
7:05 start and our ace is on the mound.

[Slateman]

Luis has been hot, but I sort of expected Chavis against the lefty. Good opportunity for Luis.

No reason not to play Kieboom and Garcia for the rest of the season

[welch]

Should have hit Riley square in the back of the neck, just to prove that he was running in fair territory.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

No reason not to play Kieboom and Garcia for the rest of the season

well, Alu needs to play, too.

i'd play Vargas on Rutledge and Adon starts, maybe if Ward starts. They need the better D (and I think better O). The rest don't need babying.

[GataNats]

well, Alu needs to play, too.

i'd play Vargas on Rutledge and Adon starts, maybe if Ward starts. They need the better D (and I think better O). The rest don't need babying.

Vargas never needs to play again.   Guy has 4 home runs on the season

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Vargas never needs to play again.   Guy has 4 home runs on the season

he is their best fielder at 2d and 3d, and even with 4 homers, he's still a better hitter than any of the alternatives. The late call up starters can't afford give aeay defense at this point

[Dave in Fairfax]

Unraveling.

[Natsinpwc]

well, Alu needs to play, too.

i'd play Vargas on Rutledge and Adon starts, maybe if Ward starts. They need the better D (and I think better O). The rest don't need babying.

By the time we settle this discussion the season will be over.

[Natsinpwc]

Nice try Luis. LOL.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Speaking of sloppy d at second ...

[aspenbubba]

Say good night Gracie

[aspenbubba]

Pull him now. Don’t destroy him psychologically.

[welch]

Vargas never needs to play again.   Guy has 4 home runs on the season

Vargas is a fine fielder at 3B and 2B, and can play a decent SS. Kieboom has never hit much. Garcia just bungled that DP, and his hitting died in the middle of this season. Vargas has not hit many homers, but, so what? He hits about .250. That's certainly good enough to be a utility guy. The Nats need someone like Candelario, sure, but that is a different issue.

[GataNats]

Vargas is a fine fielder at 3B and 2B, and can play a decent SS. Kieboom has never hit much. Garcia just bungled that DP, and his hitting died in the middle of this season. Vargas has not hit many homers, but, so what? He hits about .250. That's certainly good enough to be a utility guy. The Nats need someone like Candelario, sure, but that is a different issue.

.250 with zero power and does not get on base.  He’s awful

[Slateman]

Theres the Garcia we know

[welch]

OK. Good move, Davey. Pull Irvin.

It will be tough to win two games from the Barfs.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Calling long distance!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

.250 with zero power and does not get on base.  He’s awful

wOBA - vargas .291, kieboom .280, Garcia. 286.
Honestly, among these 3, none of them shows offense as his calling card.

I agree Vargas shouldn't start most games at this point. Just when Rutledge is on his 3rd start, and Adon /Ward get shots, I'd like the Nats not giving away outs

[Slateman]

Young broke in for some reason

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Young broke in for some reason

same reason Michael Jackson wore a glove

[Natsinpwc]

So Braves had lost 5 of 6 coming in.  Nice if the Nats to help them get well.

[Dave in Fairfax]

So Braves had lost 5 of 6 coming in.  Nice if the Nats to help them get well.

I watched the Marlins series while I was in Memphis this weekend. It was clear they were coasting and their performance was a bit of a wake-up call, especially since they still had home-field to play for. We benefit from that wake-up call. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm getting impressed by Millas.

If we come out of the last couple of months with finding a couple of players who can be as useful as Thomas and Meneses and Riley Adams, along with Herz, that'll be a pretty nice finish to the year. Robert Hunter Jerry Garcia could be one of them, along with Millas and maybe Ferrer