Nationals vs Rangers, Game 3

[ronnynat]

Pure coincidence? I think not.

This is getting pretty funny. If it's not a coincidence, what is it?

[shoeshineboy]

Easy.  The Nationals are the WORST hitting team in all of baseball.  Lannan faces the other team's #1 or #2 pitcher, who EASILY shuts down our weak-hitting team.  If Redding faces a #4 pitcher, we are more likely to hit him, score runs and win for Redding.  Also, Lannan had Flores today, but on other Sunday games he rests, like most MLB catchers.

The last point definitely needs to be considered as well. Until today, I believe that Wil Nieves was paired exclusively with Lannan, while Flores has been the team's most productive hitter on the season. If you drop Flo and add, say WMP, you hurt whoever is pitching as was evidenced on Saturday night with Mock. This is also a very small statistical sampling and it is just the way things sometimes work out. If the team could will the scoring of runs, they would do it more often. The team does not have a grudge against Lannan. They just stink alot. Perhaps Manny should be blamed for having this grudge for not having Flores in the lineup for so many of his starts.

[PatsNats28]

Easy.  The Nationals are the WORST hitting team in all of baseball.  Lannan faces the other team's #1 or #2 pitcher, who EASILY shuts down our weak-hitting team.  If Redding faces a #4 pitcher, we are more likely to hit him, score runs and win for Redding.  Also, Lannan had Flores today, but on other Sunday games he rests, like most MLB catchers.

Well put.

[ronnynat]

How did Orr look in the field today anyways? I missed the game.

[MrMadison]

How did Orr look in the field today anyways? I missed the game.

great.

he made two plays that neither Lopez or Belliard would have made.

[Obed_Marsh]

This is getting pretty funny. If it's not a coincidence, what is it?

It is the curse of Brain Schneider. His vengeful ghost of offense has cursed us for not letting him catch in the new stadium. As a pitcher from last year, Lannan is particularly vulnerable to the evil spirits and thereby more effected. The curse cannot be lifted until Brian Schneider catches a game and hits a home run at least three separate times in Nationals Park! I'm telling you we're doomed forever. Stupid curse.

[JMUalumni]

great.

he made two plays that neither Lopez or Belliard would have made.

He probably saved a couple runs as well.  Bob/Don were pointing out when there was a run on second how he kept playing "cat and mouse" with the runner to keep him closer to the base, thereby making it less likely that he would score if there was a hit (something I have never seen either Belliard or Lopez do).

[sportsfan882]

And one last parting shot by Tim Cowlishaw on his latest entry on his Texas Rangers' blog:

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/

And by the way: The Nationals? Seriously. They have the worst record in baseball and their players are doing shtick when they round third base on homers? If you missed it, their players took "handoffs" from the third base coach when rounding the base. It's silly shtick. Play the game at a higher level; then worry about the panache.

 

[spidernat]

That dude is an idiot. Isn't that the same dude from Around the Horn? The same clown that is only interested in hockey and NASCAR. Why is he whining about what the Nats do rounding the bases? Is this another one of the old school jokers that thinks it's disrespecting the game?

I don't know if anyone else saw this but there was a piece on BBTN where Tim Kurkjian referenced Lastings Milledge sharing a high five with Reyes last season (second to last game). He went on to suggest that this angered the Marlins so much that it led to their scoring 7 runs in the 1st inning the next day. Give me a break. If this petty bullcrap is the impetus for scoring runs, not a bad outing by an aging pitcher or good at bats, then these clowns need to pretend someone showed them off every game. 

[ronnynat]

But they'd be called fairweather shticky players if they only did it when the team was winning.

[JMUalumni]

And one last parting shot by Tim Cowlishaw on his latest entry on his Texas Rangers' blog:

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/

 

F#@$ Tim Colinshaw, ive never like him and what the hell is a shtick? 

[ronnynat]

F#@$ Tim Colinshaw, ive never like him and what the hell is a shtick? 

1. "A characteristic attribute, talent, or trait that is helpful in securing recognition or attention."

2. "An entertainment routine or gimmick."

99% of Major Leaguers are shticky in some way.

[OldChelsea]

(sorry if this was already posted but)

Going to the match yesterday there was someone in Half Street handing out free samples of new Alka-Seltzer Wake-Up Call, the new hangover-targeted version already much advertised in Nationals Park loos...was somebody trying to tell us something?