Nationals @ Phillies, Game 1

[PC]

Yea, because throwing his guys under the bus would make for a GREAT locker room.

Or he could learn the limitations of his players and not use him in close games where he pitches to right handed batters.  There are managers who understand what a left handed specialist is.  Davey never understood it either.

If you have a left handed specialist, he is what he is.  Don't try to make him into something he's not. 

[varoadking]

Johnny Holliday hoping we go 1-8 on this road trip... 

[Count Walewski]

Imagine if Harper had bunted in the 7th with Desmond on second and nobody out. Entire game takes a different tone.

Of course, try telling Bryce Harper to bunt, that conversation probably ends poorly.

[Slateman]

Or he could learn the limitations of his players and not use him in close games where he pitches to right handed batters.  There are managers who understand what a left handed specialist is.  Davey never understood it either.

If you have a left handed specialist, he is what he is.  Don't try to make him into something he's not. 

Blevins was not brought here to be a lefty specialist.

[Kevrock]

I hate Williams.

Then stop watching his post games.

[BigMeech]

Lost a GDT.  This is freaking bullcrap.

[PC]

Another thing that came out of this presser when he was talking about having used "the good" part of his bullpen a lot so he had/wanted/needed to use Blevins.

It completely shows his inability to think big picture.  Tomorrow's starters are Gio and Hamels.  From either side(Gio pitching for us or Hamels pitching for them), there is a substantial likelihood that tomorrow's game will be a loss.  If that's the case then he still wouldn't use "the good" bullpen whereas tonight he could have used them in a game that was winnable.

[PC]

Blevins was not brought here to be a lefty specialist.

But that's what he's become.

[pazzo83]

Another thing that came out of this presser when he was talking about having used "the good" part of his bullpen a lot so he had/wanted/needed to use Blevins.

It completely shows his inability to think big picture.  Tomorrow's starters are Gio and Hamels.  From either side(Gio pitching for us or Hamels pitching for them), there is a substantial likelihood that tomorrow's game will be a loss.  If that's the case then he still wouldn't use "the good" bullpen whereas tonight he could have used them in a game that was winnable.

This is the game we were least likely to win given Burnett's record against us when he's the home pitcher.  We are going to be fine.  We nearly tied the damn game twice and we played horribly.

[skippy1999]

Will this be a Skippy-free GDT??  Hoping for a win tonite!

Why yes, yes it was a Skippy-free GDT and look where it got ya, a loss to the philthies!!

[pazzo83]

Why yes, yes it was a Skippy-free GDT and look where it got ya, a loss to the philthies!!

You better be in the thread tomorrow night then!

[skippy1999]

You better be in the thread tomorrow night then!

I will be a bit late but I will definitely be there

[Optics]

Another thing that came out of this presser when he was talking about having used "the good" part of his bullpen a lot so he had/wanted/needed to use Blevins.

It completely shows his inability to think big picture.  Tomorrow's starters are Gio and Hamels.  From either side(Gio pitching for us or Hamels pitching for them), there is a substantial likelihood that tomorrow's game will be a loss.  If that's the case then he still wouldn't use "the good" bullpen whereas tonight he could have used them in a game that was winnable.

Why is tomorrow's game a substanial likelihood of a loss? We've beaten Hamels twice this year at least if memory serves correct. The Phillies aren't some juggernaut team. They beat us tonight, whoopdy doo, even we had our fair share of wacky wins against elite teams in the 100 loss seasons(I distincty remember John Lannan pitching a gem in Yankee Stadium in 09 to carry us to victory).

[whytev]

Why is tomorrow's game a substanial likelihood of a loss? We've beaten Hamels twice this year at least if memory serves correct. The Phillies aren't some juggernaut team. They beat us tonight, whoopdy doo, even we had our fair share of wacky wins against elite teams in the 100 loss seasons(I distincty remember John Lannan pitching a gem in Yankee Stadium in 09 to carry us to victory).

Because we have about as much faith in Gio pulling one out as we do in Espinosa cranking a homer from the left side of the plate.  It can happen, but it probably won't.

[whytev]

Because we have about as much faith in Gio pulling one out as we do in Espinosa cranking a homer from the left side of the plate.  It can happen, but it probably won't.

Don't lump me in with the pessimism crowd, by the way.  I'm excited for some baseball tomorrow, but I can't pretend I don't get nervous when Gio is handed the ball.

[Slateman]

But that's what he's become.

But that's not what he is. 8 games up on the Braves, Blevins needs work, perfect time to get it to him.

[Slateman]

Burnett does this occasionally, he is a poster child for unrealized potential.  I mean, you look at his career and it's nothing special, a .500 record, an E.R.A. around 4.00, and his seasonal average WAR is around 1.7.

 

But the specific accomplishments...the guy has a no-hitter and has taken at least two others deep into games.  He led the league in strikeouts and complete game shutouts in different seasons.  Hell, he had the highest average fastball velocity in the entire league when he was younger.  He has over 2,300 career strikeouts.

 

And he has occasional games like this.  Say what you want about the umpire's zone, but when Burnett's curveball is on, that thing drops like a hammer.  His fastball is still potent.  And there are times, like yesterday, when he looks like one of the best pitchers in the game, when everything is working.  The thing is, it isn't a flash in the pan type thing, Burnett looks like that 3-4 times every season, making you wonder how the hell he never put it together on a consistent basis.

[mitlen]

Woke up this morning going through my daily inventory  ....   Do I hit golf ball this morning and go to the pool this afternoon?    Or, do I play 18 and forget the pool?   Damn, I need to go get milk and play Powerball.    Do I need beer too?    BAM !    Right between the eyes.    This game was a stinker and we still almost pulled it out.     It's skippy's fault.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Shake it off man...it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! 

Lost a GDT.  This is freaking bullcrap.

[varoadking]

Woke up this morning going through my daily inventory  ....   Do I hit golf ball this morning and go to the pool this afternoon?    Or, do I play 18 and forget the pool?   Damn, I need to go get milk and play Powerball.    Do I need beer too?    BAM !    Right between the eyes.    This game was a stinker and we still almost pulled it out.     It's skippy's fault.

I know...yesterday was exhausting...registered for German classes with my wife (had to drive clear across the County to do that); replaced the headlamp bulbs in the Tahoe (twice, because the gave me the wrong ones initially); sorted and shredded the mail (actually had a refund check for $41.00).  By then it was almost game time, and I had totally missed my nap...

[stealyerbase]

You better be in the thread tomorrow night then!

^ THIS! You might need to go swimming if the boyeez fall behind early...

[skippy1999]

Woke up this morning going through my daily inventory  ....   Do I hit golf ball this morning and go to the pool this afternoon?    Or, do I play 18 and forget the pool?   Damn, I need to go get milk and play Powerball.    Do I need beer too?    BAM !    Right between the eyes.    This game was a stinker and we still almost pulled it out.     It's skippy's fault.

^ THIS! You might need to go swimming if the boyeez fall behind early...

lol I've got to figure out the proper timing to enter/exit the game thread since the fate of the Nats apparently rests squarely on my shoulders

[Mathguy]

You know Skippy - it's nice to be wanted

lol I've got to figure out the proper timing to enter/exit the game thread since the fate of the Nats apparently rests squarely on my shoulders

[spidernat]

lol I've got to figure out the proper timing to enter/exit the game thread since the fate of the Nats apparently rests squarely on my shoulders

You're the rare female who enjoys hit and run. 

[skippy1999]

You know Skippy - it's nice to be wanted

Very true Mathguy and I know everyone here is just teasing, even Spidey