Fire Dusty Baker!

[Smithian]

I expect any decision made about Turner is just as driven from the top than the bottom. This isn't a Dusty only decision.

[whytev]

He should be taken to task for no Turner today

There is really no excuse. A day off for Espinosa and a day off for Rendon would do it without upsetting anyone.

[Ray D]

I expect any decision made about Turner is just as driven from the top than the bottom. This isn't a Dusty only decision.

I'm sure it's a Dusty only decision, and right or wrong it's based on what he thinks gives us the best chance to win.  Playing turner last night against the lefty was a no brainer.  Dusty likely thinks that Robinson will hit better than Turner  against a righthander.

[whytev]

I'm sure it's a Dusty only decision, and right or wrong it's based on what he thinks gives us the best chance to win.  Playing turner last night against the lefty was a no brainer.  Dusty likely thinks that Robinson will hit better than Turner  against a righthander.

That might be true, but will Danny?

I predict some double switching shenanigans as soon as we're into the bullpen. Trea will play.

[HalfSmokes]

I'm sure it's a Dusty only decision, and right or wrong it's based on what he thinks gives us the best chance to win.  Playing turner last night against the lefty was a no brainer.  Dusty likely thinks that Robinson will hit better than Turner  against a righthander.

Apparently he also thinks Espinosa will hit better.

[Ray D]

Apparently he also thinks Espinosa will hit better.

No. I don't think Turner at shortstop was an option this trip.  Now, *that* may have been a corporate decision.

But what do I know, Turner will probably be at shortstop tomorrow.

[whytev]

No. I don't think Turner at shortstop was an option this trip.  Now, *that* may have been a corporate decision.

But what do I know, Turner will probably be at shortstop tomorrow.

That's dumb. I love Espinosa but he has had only one day off all year.

[mmzznnxx]

[tomterp]

 

[aussienatsfan]

he tried his best, but the nats refuse to lose

[tomterp]

he tried his best, but the nats refuse to lose

 

[HattoriHanzo]

he tried his best, but the nats refuse to lose

Today's game reminded me of his playoff managing with the giants. Total freaking crapshow

[Optics]

I really didn't like going with Belisle to open the 9th. You do NOT put a P fresh off the DL in a 1 run game against the best team in the league. Kelley pitched great in the 9th on Monday, why not go with him?

[Squab]

I want to talk about this for a second. I watched this team (in person and close up) for three days in Milwaukee, two just awful losses, and a near miss on the third.

FP touched on this a bit, but they didn't look worried. They were relaxed, obviously frustrated, but there wasn't really the weird pressing scared feeling of a team on a huge skid. This is the thing that I didn't reckon for when Baker was hired. As fragile as these guys psyches are, Bakers excellent people managing skills are already paying dividends. We've heard it in bits from Gio and others, but seriously, credit where it is due.

Also, his bullpen management hasn't been as bad as advertised, and his use of the bench guys has been masterful.

I've been really happy with him thus far.

[whytev]

I want to talk about this for a second. I watched this team (in person and close up) for three days in Milwaukee, two just awful losses, and a near miss on the third.

FP touched on this a bit, but they didn't look worried. They were relaxed, obviously frustrated, but there wasn't really the weird pressing scared feeling of a team on a huge skid. This is the thing that I didn't reckon for when Baker was hired. As fragile as these guys psyches are, Bakers excellent people managing skills are already paying dividends. We've heard it in bits from Gio and others, but seriously, credit where it is due.

Also, his bullpen management hasn't been as bad as advertised, and his use of the bench guys has been masterful.

I've been really happy with him thus far.

His bullpen management is well above average.

[aussienatsfan]

I suppose this kind of backing may be invaluable


Baker made the long walk to the mound in the top of the third, causing momentary panic from Ross.

“At first, I was kind of like: ‘Well, I don’t think anyone’s in the bullpen,’ ” the right-hander said. ” ‘Hopefully I’m not done yet.’ “

He wasn’t. Baker simply wanted to convey a message to his pitcher.

“I just told him: ‘Hold the game where it is right there, and give us a chance to come back,’ ” the manager recalled.

“He came out there, had the confidence in me, let me keep going, work my way through it, and it worked pretty well,” Ross said.

[whytev]

I suppose this kind of backing may be invaluable


Baker made the long walk to the mound in the top of the third, causing momentary panic from Ross.

“At first, I was kind of like: ‘Well, I don’t think anyone’s in the bullpen,’ ” the right-hander said. ” ‘Hopefully I’m not done yet.’ “

He wasn’t. Baker simply wanted to convey a message to his pitcher.

“I just told him: ‘Hold the game where it is right there, and give us a chance to come back,’ ” the manager recalled.

“He came out there, had the confidence in me, let me keep going, work my way through it, and it worked pretty well,” Ross said.

"Please stop allowing runs."

Why didn't MW think of that?!?

[whytev]

Taking Strasburg out: 

Maddon left Arieta in for like a 130 pitch no-no earlier this year. Dumb.

[Ray D]

Taking Strasburg out: 

Maddon left Arieta in for like a 130 pitch no-no earlier this year. Dumb.

You know, I was actually rooting for him to give up a hit in the sixth inning.  That's how afraid I was that they would feel pressure to let him try for a no hitter, which I think could have been disastrous.

[aspenbubba]

IIRC if Stras didn't WP with the runner advancing to 2B the next batter would have hit into a DP and the inning would have been over with no hits thru 7.

[mitlen]

"Please stop allowing runs."

Why didn't MW think of that?!?

MW and think in the same sentence?     

[varoadking]

Rusty isn't happy with the fans...

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-nationals/dusty-baker-nats-nationals-fans-mets-cubs-white-sox-indians-sf-giants

[spidernat]

They want the crowd to be enthusiastic and animated in the freaking heat while the team is sleeping through the effort.

[BrandonK]

Rusty isn't happy with the fans...

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-nationals/dusty-baker-nats-nationals-fans-mets-cubs-white-sox-indians-sf-giants

He's not wrong?

[GburgNatsFan]

Really sort of tired of Nats fan shaming. freak it. We are what we are. We'll get better with time. Until then, stop worrying about us.

Want more enthusiastic fans? Lower beer prices to $7.