Fire Dusty Baker!

[spidernat]

Belisle has pitched several times this month.

[RobDibblesGhost]

Belisle has pitched several times this month.

Has he?  Last appearance was 9/8, also came in 9/3 and 9/6.  Been over two weeks since he's last pitched.

[whytev]

Has he?  Last appearance was 9/8, also came in 9/3 and 9/6.  Been over two weeks since he's last pitched.

He's probably nursing something. I have no issues with secrecy.

[RobDibblesGhost]

He's probably nursing something. I have no issues with secrecy.

I do. Regardless, Petit's last appearance was also September 8 and that's his only appearance this month before tonight's debacle. You can't expect him to be sharp when he never plays.

[whytev]

I do. Regardless, Petit's last appearance was also September 8 and that's his only appearance this month before tonight's debacle. You can't expect him to be sharp when he never plays.

I think he's getting more work in for Ross, Cole, Glover, and the lefties to really see what he has in them. He knows what he has in Petit and he's probably trying to find out if the other options are better.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

After Whytev, I might be one of Espinosa's stronger supporters here over Revere in CF and Turner at SS, but I have to wonder a bit about Dusty's avoidance of Revere late in games in CF.  Especially with Murphy out, you would think you'd see Turner to 2d and Revere in CF more often as the defensive move, rather than Difo at 2d.  Maybe he doesn't want to move too many pieces, but I buy what Hattori has been saying about learning CF on the fly.  Last night's misplay by Turner in the 9th cost the game, literally, right after that crazy stretch by DE to get the 2d out.

[whytev]

After Whytev, I might be one of Espinosa's stronger supporters here over Revere in CF and Turner at SS, but I have to wonder a bit about Dusty's avoidance of Revere late in games in CF.  Especially with Murphy out, you would think you'd see Turner to 2d and Revere in CF more often as the defensive move, rather than Difo at 2d.  Maybe he doesn't want to move too many pieces, but I buy what Hattori has been saying about learning CF on the fly.  Last night's misplay by Turner in the 9th cost the game, literally, right after that crazy stretch by DE to get the 2d out.

Let him make the mistakes now. Games barely matter. It's a crash course that could make all the difference.

[Slateman]

On top of that, Revere is bad in CF. I'd rather have Taylor.

[aspenbubba]

I think he's getting more work in for Ross, Cole, Glover, and the lefties to really see what he has in them. He knows what he has in Petit and he's probably trying to find out if the other options are better.

That would be ....doesn't have in Petit

[BrandonK]

On top of that, Revere is bad in CF. I'd rather have Taylor.

I know you're just being an ass, but I'd agree. Taylor > Revere as a late inning sub.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

On top of that, Revere is bad in CF. I'd rather have Taylor.

that works too. 

I wonder if the players he's playing now give you a clue about the playoff roster?  For example, is Difo ahead of Revere for a bench role?  Would the go Robinson, Heisey, Difo, Drew, and Lobaton, plus an 8 man bullpen?  If not Difo, could Goodwin be ahead of Revere?

[mimontero88]

that works too. 

I wonder if the players he's playing now give you a clue about the playoff roster?  For example, is Difo ahead of Revere for a bench role?  Would the go Robinson, Heisey, Difo, Drew, and Lobaton, plus an 8 man bullpen?  If not Difo, could Goodwin be ahead of Revere?

Revere almost has to be on the playoff bench.  The Royals have shown over the last couple of seasons just how valuable a good pinch runner can be in the right spot come playoff time.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Revere almost has to be on the playoff bench.  The Royals have shown over the last couple of seasons just how valuable a good pinch runner can be in the right spot come playoff time.

while I'm not a Revere fan, there are parts of his game that are good for the playoffs.  His contact generally is weak, but, next to Murphy, he's probably the most consistent contact guy on the team.  Dusty has let Espinosa bat late in tied or trailing games at least a couple of times this month when even weak contact was likely to score the tying or go ahead run.  That's why his use of Revere is puzzling.

[mimontero88]

while I'm not a Revere fan, there are parts of his game that are good for the playoffs.  His contact generally is weak, but, next to Murphy, he's probably the most consistent contact guy on the team.  Dusty has let Espinosa bat late in tied or trailing games at least a couple of times this month when even weak contact was likely to score the tying or go ahead run.  That's why his use of Revere is puzzling.

Dusty is an old school guy but I think he will be more creative in the playoffs when every game is so magnified.  Why not let Danny try to make something happen in the regular season and see if you can count on him when the games really matter?  What's puzzled me so much about his use of Revere is the fact that Revere has been a better hitter against lefties in his career, yet Revere has been given 299 PA against RHB compared to 60 against LHB.  That's a little too old school when it comes to matchups.  Revere's career is a large enough sample size to say that he definitely hits lefties better.

[Slateman]

Revere almost has to be on the playoff bench.  The Royals have shown over the last couple of seasons just how valuable a good pinch runner can be in the right spot come playoff time.

Taylor can't pinch run?

[Slateman]

Dusty is an old school guy but I think he will be more creative in the playoffs when every game is so magnified.  Why not let Danny try to make something happen in the regular season and see if you can count on him when the games really matter?  What's puzzled me so much about his use of Revere is the fact that Revere has been a better hitter against lefties in his career, yet Revere has been given 299 PA against RHB compared to 60 against LHB.  That's a little too old school when it comes to matchups.  Revere's career is a large enough sample size to say that he definitely hits lefties better.

Dusty is old. In his mind, lefties can't hit LHP unless they are superstars

[whytev]

Revere almost has to be on the playoff bench.  The Royals have shown over the last couple of seasons just how valuable a good pinch runner can be in the right spot come playoff time.

Difo might be a better runner than Revere at this point.

[whytev]

Taylor can't pinch run?

He TOOTBLANS more than any fast guy I have ever seen.

[OldChelsea]

! No longer available

[HattoriHanzo]

I prefer Revere over Taylor in CF as a late defensive replacement if the nats have a lead in the 8th.

Revere's only weakness is a weak arm. His strength is that he does not let balls drop behind him. Revere has taken at times some really sketchy routes, but he has always made the play on line drives over his head this season including at least 2 home run robberies. He knows where to place himself and knows his speed so like any good outfielder he probably knows how far in he can play but if a ball is hit over his head, he knows how many steps it will take to get to the wall.

I don't think that Turner has done this and probably needs to play back a few more steps because he freezes for a second on those balls which negates his speed and which is why balls go over his head even though he is faster than Revere. Revere just has better reaction to the balls hit in his path. Taylor is my second option for a defensive replacement. He's not as good as Revere at catching balls hit over his head, but has the better arm. I just hope that all of the rust won't hurt him when he does need to make a play.

[whytev]

I prefer Revere over Taylor in CF as a late defensive replacement if the nats have a lead in the 8th.

Revere's only weakness is a weak arm. His strength is that he does not let balls drop behind him. Revere has taken at times some really sketchy routes, but he has always made the play on line drives over his head this season including at least 2 home run robberies. He knows where to place himself and knows his speed so like any good outfielder he probably knows how far in he can play but if a ball is hit over his head, he knows how many steps it will take to get to the wall.

I don't think that Turner has done this and probably needs to play back a few more steps because he freezes for a second on those balls which negates his speed and which is why balls go over his head even though he is faster than Revere. Revere just has better reaction to the balls hit in his path. Taylor is my second option for a defensive replacement. He's not as good as Revere at catching balls hit over his head, but has the better arm. I just hope that all of the rust won't hurt him when he does need to make a play.

Taylor's arm has made a couple outs this year, but realistically, whoever is carried will have a plate appearance at some point. I vote Revere with strong consideration for Goodwin if he keeps doing what he has been doing.

[HattoriHanzo]

What revere needs to do is be late with his bat and all of those weak grounders to second start going to short and if there's a runner on then just call a hit and run and he'll get a hit through the 5 hole when the shortstop is forced to cover 2nd. At least with him you can move the runners over if you're willing to call the hit and run. You can't do that with some of the other hitters like zim and espy who don't make contact.

[whytev]

Taylor's arm has made a couple outs this year, but realistically, whoever is carried will have a plate appearance at some point. I vote Revere with strong consideration for Goodwin if he keeps doing what he has been doing.

Oh hello.

[Natsinpwc]

What was Ramos doing in the lineup?

[rbw5t]

What was Ramos doing in the lineup?

He was off yesterday and we're fighting for home field advantage. No reason he wouldn't be playing.