Nationals vs Braves, Game 3

[Baseball is Life]

We were at the game tonight.  Does anyone know why the at bat music was that awful Frank Sinatra all night ?

It was ratpack night. I liked the change of pace. If you go to as many games as i do, you get tired of the same music all the time.

[spidernat]

We were at the game tonight.  Does anyone know why the at bat music was that awful Frank Sinatra all night ?

It was Rat Pack night. Anything to deflect from the awfulness of the team. But with this organization what matters most is the bottom line not the standings. 

[Baseball is Life]

It was Rat Pack night. Anything to deflect from the awfulness of the team. But with this organization what matters most is the bottom line not the standings. 

You are not handling this well. I suggest alternative coping strategies.

[Mathguy]

Thanks - so as Rat Pack night, were there giveaways or anything special ?

It was Rat Pack night. Anything to deflect from the awfulness of the team. But with this organization what matters most is the bottom line not the standings. 

[spidernat]

Thanks - so as Rat Pack night, were there giveaways or anything special ?

Yeah today the clock struck midnight and they handed over the NL East crown to the braves on a silver platter. 

But I don't really know Mathguy. They didn't go into details on the TV broadcast.

[NatsAllThe Way]

Couldn't let him get the last word 

[OldChelsea]

The announced attendance of 29,114 snaps a string of nine consecutive Nats Park matches drawing over 30k...honestly, things are going so badly we can't even paper the house properly.

[madj55]

You know, bitterness is one thing, denying the obvious is another. Braves are a very good team. "totally unspectacular" teams do not win 13 games in a row. Hell, just last week you guys were talking about how the Braves couldn't replicate the 12-2 run they were on to start the season, and they immediately turn around and win 13 in a row no sooner than that thread got started.

You're talking about a ball club that has dealt with injuries all year long and somehow has managed to not only stay in the lead of their division, but increase that least to now over 15 games in early August. This after losing two of the big arms in the bullpen early in the year, and the veteran in the starting rotation. Maybe.... just MAYBE the Braves are pretty damn good and you need to quit letting your butthurt get in the way of your vision. If you're still one of those haters clinging to the "Braves aren't that good" argument, then you're either just being stubborn or you're completely ignorant.

The Braves are good, but there isn't anything spectacular about this team. Do you pay attention to who they've gone on these runs against? Every single team except for the Cardinals they've beat in both winning streaks are under .500. The Phillies, Nats, Cubs, Rockies, and Marlins all suck. Sweeping these teams isn't impressive, it's what good teams should do. There isn't anything spectacular about this team which is why they actually could go on a deep playoff run since all bets are off in October. However, I highly doubt it happens and I really hope they get swept in the first round.

[OldChelsea]

Braves have, in fact, only played 34 of their 115 matches to date against teams with current .500 or better records (record in those matches a good if not overwhelming 19-15).

They are also only 8-9 in interleague (three of those losses coming in a sweep by the Tigers). They'll get their comeuppance in the post-season - slapping round the NL East and other also-rans like the Brewers and Rockies is not necessarily the best preparation.

[welch]

I won't belittle the Braves. They are playing well, playing with the confidence the Nats had last season but lost somewhere. Maybe it takes a downer season to harden a team?

Player-by-player, the Nats are about as good as the 2012 team. Not dramatically better, and maybe a bit weaker but not much different. Striking difference is that the Nats are not playing well.