Worst Offensive Performance in Nationals History - 2014 Edition

[whytev]

It will be interesting to see how the winner of this series collides with the winner of the wide open other series.

[wpa2629]

100% chance crap bag peavy and even bigger crap bag hudson get lit up by any other team

I don't know what it is with crap bag pitchers and this team - it's very frustrating

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Does anyone seriously think Schu said to Span, "hey, you've been a pretty successful leadoff hitter since late June/ July by laying off marginal pitches that dip out of the zone until there are at least 2 strikes on you.  You could do that because you can make contact with anything in the strike zone.  Why don't you start to swing at sinkers that are dipping out of the strike zone?  It's a change from what you are doing, but hope and change is a proven strategy for success."

[wpa2629]

Does anyone seriously think Schu said to Span, "hey, you've been a pretty successful leadoff hitter since late June/ July by laying off marginal pitches that dip out of the zone until there are at least 2 strikes on you.  You could do that because you can make contact with anything in the strike zone.  Why don't you start to swing at sinkers that are dipping out of the strike zone?  It's a change from what you are doing, but hope and change is a proven strategy for success."

Haha

[spidernat]

Watch Span's stance in his last at bat.

[wpa2629]

Watch Span's stance in his last at bat.

after going 0 for a gazilion he probably wanted to try something different - I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing

[PC]

Watch Span's stance in his last at bat.

What am I watching for?

[TigerFan]

Does anyone seriously think Schu said to Span, "hey, you've been a pretty successful leadoff hitter since late June/ July by laying off marginal pitches that dip out of the zone until there are at least 2 strikes on you.  You could do that because you can make contact with anything in the strike zone.  Why don't you start to swing at sinkers that are dipping out of the strike zone?  It's a change from what you are doing, but hope and change is a proven strategy for success."

Yes there are.  Seems many fans want scapegoats and can't fathom the fault laying at the feet of the players themselves. 

[spidernat]

What am I watching for?

his right foot.

[wpa2629]

Yes there are.  Seems many fans want scapegoats and can't fathom the fault laying at the feet of the players themselves. 

Who's not blaming the players?

I think we're ALL in agreement that the offense has been root canal in this series - and that the players are responsible for that.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Does anyone seriously think Schu said to Span, "hey, you've been a pretty successful leadoff hitter since late June/ July by laying off marginal pitches that dip out of the zone until there are at least 2 strikes on you.  You could do that because you can make contact with anything in the strike zone.  Why don't you start to swing at sinkers that are dipping out of the strike zone?  It's a change from what you are doing, but hope and change is a proven strategy for success."

You're overthinking.  I'm thinking it's more along the lines of "he throws strikes.  Be aggressive, swing a lot."  Or, perhaps, it's just a lack of any coherent strategy at all, which is just as bad.

How do you explain nearly the entire freaking line-up doing it besides Werth?

[imref]

You're overthinking.  I'm thinking it's more along the lines of "he throws strikes.  Be aggressive, swing a lot."  Or, perhaps, it's just a lack of any coherent strategy at all, which is just as bad.

How do you explain nearly the entire freaking line-up doing it besides Werth?

Eckstien is back?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

You're overthinking.  I'm thinking it's more along the lines of "he throws strikes.  Be aggressive, swing a lot."  Or, perhaps, it's just a lack of any coherent strategy at all, which is just as bad.

How do you explain nearly the entire freaking line-up doing it besides Werth?

he could have said, "he throws strikes, be aggressive" and it would have been just as wrong.  He beat the Nats outside the strike zone.  My point about Span is he's getting away from what he was doing successfully.  i don't blame the coaches.  there's no way Schu said what I suggested or what you suggested. 

[KnorrForYourMoney]

There's no way Schu said that, so I guess most of the line-up all just happened to have the same crappy hitting approach out of sheer coincidence.  Yeah, right.

Look, he might not have said it, but he also clearly wasn't doing anything to keep them from taking those kinds of at-bats, which is inexcusable given what happened in game 1.

[PC]

From Zuckerman about possible lineup changes:

At this point, they may not have a choice. The club is hitting a collective .160 so far in the series, with a paltry .470 OPS. Five lineup regulars are 1-for-10 or worse (Span, LaRoche, Jayson Werth, Ian Desmond and Wilson Ramos).

It's amazing that this is the case and we've lost both games by one run.

[PC]

Also from Zuckerman:

“I think the guys are pressing a little bit,” hitting coach Rick Schu said. “Culmination of facing some tough pitching. And that can go hand-in-hand with not driving runs in and getting hits. We just have to get back to relaxing and doing what we’ve been doing all year: Going in with an offensive gameplan, sticking to it and not pressing as much.”

So there is a gameplan?  That's good to know.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The "sticking to it" is a not so subtle jab at the guys who were tapping out and swinging at junk Hudson was throwing below the strike zone.  Yes, there was a game plan, which you can find in Zuckerman and Kilgore's tweets (those are posted in various threads).  The jab is at guys who changed their approach and did not stick to what made them successful.  Look at that pitch chart you put up.  No one got a hit below the strike zone, but look at the swing and misses.  I get you need to expand the plate with 2 strikes and you aren't going to hit pitchers pitches.  But before two strikes, you don't offer at Hudson crud at the bottom of the zone.  No walks by Hudson when he lived outside the zone?  Pathetic.  Take and make him start saying, "they're taking, so I better get the ball in the strike zone."  Then you pound him. 

I can accept Ian's Ks.  That's part of the Ian Desmond package.  What I can't stand is guys who have decent eyes and good contact skills swinging at low pitches when they do not have 2 strikes. 

[whytev]

The "sticking to it" is a not so subtle jab at the guys who were tapping out and swinging at junk Hudson was throwing below the strike zone.  Yes, there was a game plan, which you can find in Zuckerman and Kilgore's tweets (those are posted in various threads).  The jab is at guys who changed their approach and did not stick to what made them successful.  Look at that pitch chart you put up.  No one got a hit below the strike zone, but look at the swing and misses.  I get you need to expand the plate with 2 strikes and you aren't going to hit pitchers pitches.  But before two strikes, you don't offer at Hudson crud at the bottom of the zone.  No walks by Hudson when he lived outside the zone?  Pathetic.  Take and make him start saying, "they're taking, so I better get the ball in the strike zone."  Then you pound him. 

I can accept Ian's Ks.  That's part of the Ian Desmond package.  What I can't stand is guys who have decent eyes and good contact skills swinging at low pitches when they do not have 2 strikes.

This. I have to say I'm pretty shocked and disappointed where Span is concerned.

[wpa2629]

From Zuckerman about possible lineup changes:

It's amazing that this is the case and we've lost both games by one run.

Our pitching is amazing


That's why if the bats can come alive, even a little - we're in business

[tomterp]

Ramos has looked lost for weeks. Way past time to give Lobaton a start.

[UMDNats]

Honestly, Saturday is probably the worst offensive performance in Nationals history. I think you can lock this thread.

[spidernat]

Let's hold off for one more game.   

[whytev]

Ramos has looked lost for weeks. Way past time to give Lobaton a start.

Once more just because!

[KnorrForYourMoney]

The "sticking to it" is a not so subtle jab at the guys who were tapping out and swinging at junk Hudson was throwing below the strike zone.  Yes, there was a game plan, which you can find in Zuckerman and Kilgore's tweets (those are posted in various threads).  The jab is at guys who changed their approach and did not stick to what made them successful.  Look at that pitch chart you put up.  No one got a hit below the strike zone, but look at the swing and misses.  I get you need to expand the plate with 2 strikes and you aren't going to hit pitchers pitches.  But before two strikes, you don't offer at Hudson crud at the bottom of the zone.  No walks by Hudson when he lived outside the zone?  Pathetic.  Take and make him start saying, "they're taking, so I better get the ball in the strike zone."  Then you pound him. 

I can accept Ian's Ks.  That's part of the Ian Desmond package.  What I can't stand is guys who have decent eyes and good contact skills swinging at low pitches when they do not have 2 strikes. 

It appears as if you were right, but it begs the question why the players won't listen to the coaching staff.  Still troubling.