The Former Nationals Watch (2018)

[bluestreak]

Murphy starts at 2B, batted leadoff and had a hit.  Madden sprinkled pixie dust on him to play second.

Addison Russell went to the “DL” today.

[Natsinpwc]

Addison Russell went to the “DL” today.

He even turned a DP.

[bluestreak]

Blake Treinen. Superstar.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-as-changed-baseball-once-they-may-be-changing-it-again/

While WAR may not be the optimum way to measure a reliever’s value, win probability added (WPA) accounts for the change in win expectancy between every plate appearance. According to WPA, Treinen has been the most valuable pitcher in baseball this season — ranking ahead of aces Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom and Aaron Nola. His sinker leads the majors in whiffs per swing, and when put in play, it produces 4.6 ground balls for every fly ball. Per FanGraphs pitch values, it’s the fifth-best sinker in the majors. The pitch, with its combination of elite velocity and movement, can make opponents look foolish.

[KV]

Murphy is absolutely on fire since going to the Cubs

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I missed this when the story broke, but Esteban Loaiza copped a plea and faces 10 to life:

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Ex-All-Star-Pitcher-Esteban-Loaiza-Pleads-Guilty-490589931.html

[Panther Modern]

Murphy is absolutely on fire since going to the Cubs

[Vega]

Anybody remember Xavier Cedeno?

[varoadking]

Anybody remember Xavier Cedeno?

The other new Brewer?

[Natsinpwc]

Daniel Murphy with a home run off Nola.  Murph dawg stays hot.  I'm all in for the Cubbies this October. 

[Panther Modern]

Daniel Murphy with a home run off Nola.  Murph dawg stays hot.  I'm all in for the Cubbies this October.

Danny is in his element.

[varoadking]

I'm all in for the Cubbies this October.

Screw the Cubs... 

[RobDibblesGhost]

Gio's pitching for the Brewers tonight. He's through 5 2/3 with 3 hits, 1 walk and no runs. 7 Ks.

[Elvir Ovcina]

3 different former Nats pitched for Oakland today: Jackson started, followed by Kelley, and Treinen closed.

[blue911]

Gio's pitching for the Brewers tonight. He's through 5 2/3 with 3 hits, 1 walk and no runs. 7 Ks.

1) No earned runs.

2) The Giants starting line up had one batter with an OPS above .700 (Evan Longoria at .709)


Maybe that's the key to Gio's continuing success. Anyway good luck to Gio maybe Milwaukee will put at little steel in his spine.

[varoadking]

1) No earned runs.

2) The Giants starting line up had one batter with an OPS above .700 (Evan Longoria at .709)


Maybe that's the key to Gio's continuing success. Anyway good luck to Gio maybe Milwaukee will put at little steel in his spine.

I likes Counsell's comment when asked what to expect from Gio:  "The only think we know is that he won't be pitching right-handed."

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Now that is a reassuring vote of confidence by your new manager.

[imref]

Mark Melancon gives up a walk-off HR to STL today, officially ending the Nats' playoff chances.

[mitlen]

Gio's pitchin' against the Cards tonight.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Gio's pitchin' against the Cards tonight.

[varoadking]

Gio's pitchin' against the Cards tonight.

What could go wrong... 

[imref]

Gio's pitchin' against the Cards tonight.

last time I checked, he had two pretty good starts.

[Elvir Ovcina]

last time I checked, he had two pretty good starts.

He's had 3 starts with Milwaukee, all at home, two against terrible teams.  The only one against a decent team, he didn't make it out of the fifth.   

Now he's pitching on the road against a contending team in a game his team desperately needs.   Personally, I hope he gives up 11 runs in 2/3 of an inning and Milwaukee wins.  Hate the goddamn little rodent, but hate the Cardinals more.

[imref]

He's had 3 starts with Milwaukee, all at home, two against terrible teams.  The only one against a decent team, he didn't make it out of the fifth.   

Now he's pitching on the road against a contending team in a game his team desperately needs.   Personally, I hope he gives up 11 runs in 2/3 of an inning and Milwaukee wins.  Hate the goddamn little rodent, but hate the Cardinals more.

1 hit allowed in the first two innings tonight.

[Elvir Ovcina]

1 hit allowed in the first two innings tonight.

Then they spotted him a 6-run lead, at which point he gave up a hit, a walk, a 3 run homer, and didn't make it past the 4th.  4 innings, 3 ER. 

[varoadking]

Then they spotted him a 6-run lead, at which point he gave up a hit, a walk, a 3 run homer, and didn't make it past the 4th.  4 innings, 3 ER.

He's hitting his postseason stride...