Nationals vs Phillies, Game 2

[EdStroud]

JMax bullett to hard to handle

[UMDNats]

Does he really think the team can do worse than losing 9 in a row?

Maybe he thinks that by playing Desmond over 1-20 Guzman would damage our playoff hopes

[sportsfan882]

I once had respect for Riggleman but now I will always remember him as just another mediocre loser during these years of shame.

He's clueless.

[sportsfan882]

Maybe he thinks that by playing Desmond over 1-20 Guzman would damage our playoff hopes

so dumb.

i'm stunned rizzo didn't tell him who to play.

[The Chief]

Maybe if you play some of the call-ups, they'll be better than the regulars and we'll actually win instead of losing!

[UMDNats]

Maybe if you play some of the call-ups, they'll be better than the regulars and we'll actually win instead of losing!

And maybe...just maybe...they'll TRY 110% because they know this might be their only chance to play?

[PANatsFan]

[sportsfan882]

And maybe...just maybe...they'll TRY 110% because they know this might be their only chance to play?

exactly. Desmond has worked so long and hard to reach this point. He hit his ass off in AAA over the last few months just to earn the right to play up here.

How dare Riggleman deny him the right to prove himself.

[EdStroud]

And maybe...just maybe...they'll TRY 110% because they know this might be their only chance to play?

In your opinion which of the Nationals players in the game tonight are not trying?

[UMDNats]

In your opinion which of the Nationals players in the game tonight are not trying?

It's not that they're not trying, it's that I think younger kids who may never have a shot again will play harder more consistently in September than veterans who are just playing because it's their job.

[UMDNats]

exactly. Desmond has worked so long and hard to reach this point. He hit his ass off in AAA over the last few months just to earn the right to play up here. join Mike Morse on the bench

How dare Riggleman deny him the right to prove himself.

[mitlen]

JMax bullett to hard to handle

May I digress ... Otis Redding "Too Hard to Handle" ... Tx Ed

[EdStroud]

It's not that they're not trying, it's that I think younger kids who may never have a shot again will play harder more consistently in September than veterans who are just playing because it's their job.

I get your point, but believe all the veterans know they are playing to keep their jobs.  I think that the younger players should be worked into the line-up(2nd,SS and OFers) maybe even every other day.

[NatsDad14]

We are already being fair to the other teams by sucking and giving them free wins. They don't need anything more.

[UMDNats]

I get your point, but believe all the veterans know they are playing to keep their jobs.  I think that the younger players should be worked into the line-up(2nd,SS and OFers) maybe even every other day.

I disagree. Veterans like Zimmerman, Dunn, and Willingham have cushy jobs locked up for next year. Guzman has never, ever been challenged for a job and knows the team is hesitant to move him anywhere in the lineup or even off the field. And for those guys, the last month is just to go through the motions and get to October. They're playing for, at the most, statistics. We have younger guys who have a chance to push the veterans for jobs but Riggleman is more concerned about being fair to all the other teams we play.

For the most part, players like Gonzalez, Bard, Nieves, etc just flat-out suck and I can't really blame them for that.

[UMDNats]

Is there a reason the team isn't going to play Flores? (Did he have a rehab assigment?)

[sportsfan882]

just another pathetic offensive performance by the Nats. they score early and then punt the rest of the game.

Is there a reason the team isn't going to play Flores? (Did he have a rehab assigment?)

I wouldn't start him at this point but there is no reason not to give him some ABs. thanks Jim.

[EdStroud]

I disagree. Veterans like Zimmerman, Dunn, and Willingham have cushy jobs locked up for next year. Guzman has never, ever been challenged for a job and knows the team is hesitant to move him anywhere in the lineup or even off the field. And for those guys, the last month is just to go through the motions and get to October. They're playing for, at the most, statistics. We have younger guys who have a chance to push the veterans for jobs but Riggleman is more concerned about being fair to all the other teams we play.

For the most part, players like Gonzalez, Bard, Nieves, etc just flat-out suck and I can't really blame them for that.

The being fair to other clubs is the only thing a manager in Riggleman's situation can say.  If he said that the Nats should only play the kids then the vets would revolt.  By using the we have to play our best players he keeps the vets happy and hasn't degraded the youngsters by saying they are not ready or good enough.  Riggleman (stay or go) can't win in this bad a situation.

[mitlen]

Serve up them taters boys.

[EdStroud]

Babe Ruth isn't dead he is RAUL IBANEZ

[UMDNats]

The being fair to other clubs is the only thing a manager in Riggleman's situation can say.  If he said that the Nats should only play the kids then the vets would revolt.  By using the we have to play our best players he keeps the vets happy and hasn't degraded the youngsters by saying they are not ready or good enough.  Riggleman (stay or go) can't win in this bad a situation.

He doesn't have to say anything about "being far to the opposing teams." He can just say he thinks the veterans deserve to play because they give us the best chance to win. My response to that is that the veterans, namely Guzman, have been around all year and have slumped like crazy the last 2 weeks. They have one win in the last 2 weeks. Sweet!

We're the only terrible team in baseball that trots out veterans like Pete Orr every night.

I bet Desmond gets a MAX of two starts by October.

[sportsfan882]

man Mock is bad.

wow. Ibanez would be the MVP if he played the Nats every game.

[PC]

Isn't swinging more dangerous than catching?

[sportsfan882]

AlGo 2/2 with 2 doubles

[UMDNats]

nice work by maxwell