The Matt Williams Effect

[mitlen]

Zuck noted that Williams went and rewatched the pitch to Ibanez before coming out to talk to the press last night, he said it was a good pitch, out of the zone, low and away, and Ibanez just got to it.  It wasn't as if Clippard left a ball hanging over the plate.  Still, hard to understand why he left Clippard in given he was struggling and his history against Ibanez.

When I heard Williams' comment, I remember thinking "Yeah, right  ...  of the whole game, you watched that pitch before coming to the post-game press conference."

[skippy1999]

I've studied Matt Williams for a month now and he's about to double-down and bat Clippard 2nd.

[Lintyfresh85]

I don't really think Clippard was the problem yesterday. Error on Desmond, a soft hit (that's an out with fielders at normal depth with no one on), a pop up and the one good hit. He's been struggling but last night wasn't really his fault.

[nobleisthyname]

As much as people are saying that Clip's just not missing bats anymore he's still inducing swinging strikes at his career rate (13% which is well above average) and has struck out 35% of the batters he's faced (Kimbrel struck out 38% last season, yay small sample size).

[TigerFan]

I've studied Matt Williams for a month now and he's about to double-down and bat Clippard 2nd.

Ron Rivera style!

[wpa2629]

I don't really think Clippard was the problem yesterday. Error on Desmond, a soft hit (that's an out with fielders at normal depth with no one on), a pop up and the one good hit. He's been struggling but last night wasn't really his fault.

He walked the 190 hitter to load the bases and bring up Ibanez who owns him - that's unforgivable - at that point Williams HAS to pull him.

[Lintyfresh85]

He walked the 190 hitter to load the bases and bring up Ibanez who owns him - that's unforgivable - at that point Williams HAS to pull him.

Shouldn't have came to that. Defense and fluke hits are what did him in.

[blue911]

He walked the 190 hitter to load the bases and bring up Ibanez who owns him - that's unforgivable - at that point Williams HAS to pull him.

considering there are 3 lefties in the bullpen.

[wpa2629]

Shouldn't have came to that.

While I agree in concept, that's not relevant because it did come to that. crap happens all the time. You have to man up and get the out. You cannot walk the 190 hitter in that situation - you simply cannot. That's on Clippard, completely.

But there's lots of blame to go around in that inning - Williams, Desmond, Clippard - one big crap bag full of FAIL

[comish4lif]

He walked the 190 hitter to load the bases and bring up Ibanez who owns him - that's unforgivable - at that point Williams HAS to pull him.

The Nats need to come up with a plan for Ibanez. He's always killed us and slashes 287/336/583 at Nats Park lifetime....

[tomterp]

While I agree in concept, that's not relevant because it did come to that. crap happens all the time. You have to man up and get the out. You cannot walk the 190 hitter in that situation - you simply cannot. That's on Clippard, completely.

It's not like he isn't trying hard enough, he's just making way too many mistakes at the moment.  Of course he should have been pulled, his body language screamed "no confidence" after the Pujols steal.

[wpa2629]

It's not like he isn't trying hard enough, he's just making way too many mistakes at the moment.  Of course he should have been pulled, his body language screamed "no confidence" after the Pujols steal.

I'm quite certain that Clippard doesn't wake up in the morning and thinks - Gee I hope I suck today!

I put the walk on Clippard
I put the Ibanez double on Williams for not pulling Clippard after the walk

It's obvious he's trying and he's been a total beast for the Nats for years. But he does this, he has really bad patches. He needs to be put in low leverage situations until he gets his mojo back - I'm sure that he will at some point.

[HalfSmokes]

Lineup needs more shuffling

[tomterp]

Lineup needs more shuffling

 

[BigMeech]

I'm convinced that Williams was only hired b/c he was working for the Diamondbacks.  Rizzo couldn't resist.

[imref]

i caught part of Williams on WJFK this morning, he said his two biggest worries right now are the defense and falling behind early in so many games.  Couldn't really explain the defensive woes, said everyone is working hard and he's afraid of the team tightening up because they are so afraid of making an error.  Also said they are stretching out Trienan at Syracuse so he can be ready to start.  He didn't give much of an endorsement of Jordan, it wouldn't be surprising to see Trienan take Jordan's next turn in the rotation; 4-5 innings of Trienen > 4-5 innings of Jordan right now.  He picked Werth as his breakout player of the week (two previous week's picks were Harper and RZ, so get ready for a Werth trip to the DL).

[WhiteWhale]

...We have talent, and IMO we have a Manager who is straight with the guys...I trust Rizzo, and by proxy trust Matt Williams....Where we are, is a lot better than where we were, and I think that trend will continue.

yeah, F all that S, what was I thinking. Meds must have been working overtime yesterday.

[imref]

the matt williams effect:

2013: 10-11
2014: 11-10

Williams is a +1 WAR manager.

[mmzznnxx]

the matt williams effect:

2013: 10-11
2014: 11-10

Williams is a +1 WAR manager.

I know you're being facetious but I could easily see someone saying that.

[imref]

I know you're being facetious but I could easily see someone saying that.

[welch]

- I liked FP's comment last night: someone bunts and the defense goes crazy. That's the right idea, and better than Earl-Weaver-Homer-Ball. 
- The push-it base running is also good. (I hate the 1950s AL style station-to-station game.)
- Fielding: Unbelievable. Desmond and Rendon are not really this bad, but right now I want Espinosa at 2B, Espinosa at SS, and a third Espinosa at third. Maybe, more seriously, put Espi at SS, Walters at 2B for a few games, and let Desmond practice his swing?
- Taylor Jordan needs some work at AAA. Post says Fister will return about May 7? Syracuse had a report that Treinen would start one of the next games. So...

[DPMOmaha]

- I liked FP's comment last night: someone bunts and the defense goes crazy. That's the right idea, and better than Earl-Weaver-Homer-Ball. 

Only if it's unexpected. Sacrifice bunts rarely take anybody off guard and rarely cause chaos. The bunt can be an effective weapon, but the sacrifice bunt not as much as the old guard yells that it is.

[Ray D]

Only if it's unexpected.

Or if the defense is not up to the task of handling it, expected or not.  Bunting can be an effective tool at lower levels - high school, etc.  But few major league teams are ill-prepared to handle it.

[spidernat]

So the bunt can be an effective tool against Washington.

[Ray D]

So the bunt can be an effective tool against Washington.

I am not ready to accept that the Nats cannot handle the bunt, based on one or two mishandlings so far this season.  Until proven wrong, I cling to the belief that they practiced it endlessly in spring training.