Spring Training Game Threads (2010)

[Minty Fresh]

This game is turning into an ass-whoopin'.  The Mets didn't have three starters, but we're still takin' it to them!

[Lintyfresh85]

It's time for Adam Fox to shine!

Play the man Riggs! Play him and let him shineeeeeee!

[hammondsnats]

Burgess

i like these types of wins (knock on wood)

[wpa2629]

Bang Zoom nages!

[CJames0569]

Most baseball managers will not start a rookie at the top of the lineup, no matter how well they are hitting in ST.  Riggs will start Desmond in the bottom half opening day and will force him to work his way up.

I think it was Dave B who mentioned it the other day, but by putting Desmond in the 2 hole won't he see a steady diet of fastballs? I thought it was pretty solid reasoning and made sense to me batting between Tony Plush and Zimm. If you move him down in the order he would see a lot more junk, which hasn't he somewhat stuggled with breaking balls? I think it would do him a lot of good to get off to a good start and keep his confidence up, if he gets into a hole early it could really snowball and force Guzman back into the starting role.

[blue911]

I think it was Dave B who mentioned it the other day, but by putting Desmond in the 2 hole won't he see a steady diet of fastballs? I thought it was pretty solid reasoning and made sense to me batting between Tony Plush and Zimm. If you move him down in the order he would see a lot more junk, which hasn't he somewhat stuggled with breaking balls? I think it would do him a lot of good to get off to a good start and keep his confidence up, if he gets into a hole early it could really snowball and force Guzman back into the starting role.

Any benefit would be canceled by having to take pitches to allow Morgan a chance to run.

[Evolution33]

Not too bad after starting 0-11. Since we trimmed the fat we haven't looked half bad.

[hammondsnats]

Not too bad after starting 0-11. Since we trimmed the fat we haven't looked half bad.

Exactly.  There was no need to panic, we were playing guys that aren't ever going to see the light of day in a Nats uni. 

I'd rather start off slow and finish up hot going into the season, anyway. 

[DPMOmaha]

Exactly.  There was no need to panic, we were playing guys that aren't ever going to see the light of day in a Nats uni. 

I'd rather start off slow and finish up hot going into the season, anyway. 

10-7 since then and beat Adam Wainwright twice.

[shoeshineboy]

I'd rather start off slow and finish up hot going into the season, anyway. 

And play the Mets every day

[KnorrForYourMoney]

I'd rather start off slow and finish up hot going into the season, anyway. 

Yep, we all know that leads to a respectable regular season.

Just like in 2007

and 2008

and 2009

[JMUalumni]

I think it was Dave B who mentioned it the other day, but by putting Desmond in the 2 hole won't he see a steady diet of fastballs? I thought it was pretty solid reasoning and made sense to me batting between Tony Plush and Zimm. If you move him down in the order he would see a lot more junk, which hasn't he somewhat stuggled with breaking balls? I think it would do him a lot of good to get off to a good start and keep his confidence up, if he gets into a hole early it could really snowball and force Guzman back into the starting role.

He will see more fastballs batting behind Morgan, but Morgan is only going to be on base once or twice out of every 4 or 5 at-bats a game.  Desmond will still have to hit breaking balls and the Nats are going to make sure he can before they move him up.  He only saw 41 sliders and 14 curveballs last season in September against weaker competition.  He earned his way on to the roster with his spring training performance, now they will let him earn his way up the lineup.  If he lives up to the billing, he probably will be batting #2 within a few weeks.

[Minty Fresh]

Yep, we all know that leads to a respectable regular season.

Just like in 2007

and 2008

and 2009

Win.

[hammondsnats]

Yep, we all know that leads to a respectable regular season.

Just like in 2007

and 2008

and 2009

yeah we didn't in those years ... i said yesetday it's imperative we don't start out 0-7 again this season.

[DPMOmaha]

Just got home and am watching the game.  It's pretty impressive the Nats won the way they did.  They got completely screwed on two very obvious calls.  Adam Kennedy made an absolutely brilliant turn on a double play with Desmond.  It was a hit and run, Kennedy broke to cover the bag, the ball was hit behind him, he stopped, fell grabbed the ball, and flipped to Desmond beating the runner by a step at the bag and flipping to first for the out.  The runner at second was called safe, rather inexplicably causing Rigs to come out and argue the call, it wasn't really close.  Fortunately Marquis is able to get the next batter out and dance around the call.

Then on Hammer's rbi double in the 5th, he just crushed it to center.  Gary Matthews got turned around and is lucky to be alive, frankly.  The ball nearly hit him in the face on the way down, bouncing on the track, off the wall.  Zim and Dunn scored easily, but the same ump, I think, called it a ground rule double so, instead of a 5-3 lead, they only had a 4-3 lead.  Riggs argued that one too.  He was right on both calls.  The Mets announcers agreed with Rigs, that's how obvious the calls were.

They really did look great today.

[The Chief]

Game starts at 1:05pm EST.  Olsen pitching.

[PANatsFan]

Game starts at 1:05pm EST.

Tomorrow.

[DPMOmaha]

Nope, they play them today too in Fort Meyers.  The game tomorrow is at 4.

[PANatsFan]

Nope, they play them today too in Fort Meyers.  The game tomorrow is at 4.

I thought they had a travel day.

[hammondsnats]

I don't understand why this afternoon is highlighted?

[The Chief]

Joke on PANats

[hammondsnats]

Joke on PANats

gotcha

ah, ben and mark aren't in florida anymore, how are we going to get our updates?!?!

[DPMOmaha]

From the Nats website:

Morgan, DH 
Harris, W, RF 
Guzman, C, 2B
Morse, 1B 
Bernadina, LF 
Gonzalez, Al, 3B 
Nieves, C 
Bruntlett, SS 
Taveras, CF 

Olsen


Ellsbury, LF 
Pedroia, 2B 
Martinez, V, C 
Youkilis, 1B 
Ortiz, D, DH
Beltre, 3B 
Drew, J, RF 
Cameron, M,
Scutaro, SS 

Buchholz
 

[CJames0569]

Looks like they're going with their opening day lineup while we are throwing out the scrubs. It will be interesting to see how Olsen fares against them today, if he has a bad start it could push him out of the 5th rotation spot.

[Galah]

Looks like they're going with their opening day lineup while we are throwing out the scrubs. It will be interesting to see how Olsen fares against them today, if he has a bad start it could push him out of the 5th rotation spot.

I suspect a lot of the team is already back in DC.
Dang, we seem to be ahead after 1 and with Olsen striking out Youklis for the last out of the 1st inning.