Sept 30th - 82 -80, the 6-month crapshow is finally over

[rbw5t]

The Nats have won every game that Tommy Milone has ever started for them (7-0).  That's weird, especially almost 7 years between starts.

We should have never gotten rid of him -- imagine all those years worth of wins we left on the table!

[UMDNats]

The Nats have won every game that Tommy Milone has ever started for them (7-0).  That's weird, especially almost 7 years between starts.

[Count Walewski]

With love and an unbalanced schedule, all things are possible.

[imref]

4.5 back of the WC.

[catocony]

Jimmy Cordero's run to the Hall of Fame takes off with stumble, but he didn't throw his glove nor spoke to the press.  A nice 10-4 win makes it 3 in a row. 

[imref]

gained some WC ground last night, now tied with the Giants

Milwaukee   63   49   .563   +1.5   -   6-4   L2   8/2 @ LAD, L 5-21   8/3 vs COL, 8:10 PM
Atlanta   58   47   .552   -   -   5-5   W4   8/2 @ NYM, W 4-2   8/3 @ NYM, 7:10 PM
----
Arizona   60   50   .545   0.5   55   6-4   L1   8/2 vs SF, L 1-8   8/3 vs SF, 9:40 PM
Colorado   58   50   .537   1.5   55   5-5   L2   8/2 @ STL, L 2-3   8/3 @ MIL, 8:10 PM
Pittsburgh   56   53   .514   4.0   52   6-4   L1   8/1 vs CHC, L 2-9   8/3 vs STL, 7:05 PM
St. Louis   56   53   .514   4.0   52   6-4   W2   8/2 vs COL, W 3-2   8/3 @ PIT, 7:05 PM
Nationals   55   53   .509   4.5   52   6-4   W3   8/2 vs CIN, W 10-4   8/3 vs CIN, 7:05 PM

[RiotAct]

screw the race for the WCG, let’s win the division!

[nfotiu]

screw the race for the WCG, let’s win the division!

It seems pretty unlikely that we could play well enough to get the wildcard, but not well enough to win the division.  Although, I suppose we could enter the final week with both races down to the wire.

All 3 NLE teams are playing 4 game sets against crappy teams.  Everyone probably goes 3-1, so likely not much movement in the standings this weekend. 

[Natsinpwc]

It seems pretty unlikely that we could play well enough to get the wildcard, but not well enough to win the division.  Although, I suppose we could enter the final week with both races down to the wire.

All 3 NLE teams are playing 4 game sets against crappy teams.  Everyone probably goes 3-1, so likely not much movement in the standings this weekend.

You are correct. There are just too many teams ahead of or about even with the Nats to have much of a chance at the wild card. Looks to me like the NL East will have only one team in the playoffs.

[Natsinpwc]

Seriously, Rizzo done freaked up. Did nothing to improve the team, but more importantly, if he had gone all in on selling we wouldn't have had to do a true rebuild, just retooled and brought in some youth, could have been back in the mix by 2020 if we didn't just completely waste all the human capital on the field...now its just going to be a slow decline with no end in sight.

I agree they should have sold some. But they would have gotten at best mid level prospects and probably at the lower minor league levels. Therefore it really had nothing to do with contending in 2019-2020. That will depend on the development of Robles and Soto. And Eaton's health. And finding a catcher and starting pitcher.

[imref]

screw the race for the WCG, let’s win the division!

I'll take any entry at this point.

[UMDNats]

The biggest thing is we need to make up a game or two on our own and then dominate Atlanta and Philly down the stretch. We can do it, we'll just need some luck.

[welch]

Just win tonight. Cannot give back a game to Phillies/Braves. Just win.

[Smithian]

The biggest thing is we need to make up a game or two on our own and then dominate Atlanta and Philly down the stretch. We can do it, we'll just need some luck.

Win more than we lose on our own, win some games head to head.

Stay hot Harper

[nfotiu]

Could this be the year that we finally have a fun pennant race that goes down to the wire?   I don't think this team has ever played truly meaningful games in the last 2-3 weeks of the regular season.  We have lots of games left with the Phillies and Braves, and they play each other  7 or their last 10 or so.

Would it be considered a good choice not to sell if we end up in a pennant race but fall short on the last day or 2 of regular season?  I think it would be, but I'm sure lots disagree.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Could this be the year that we finally have a fun pennant race that goes down to the wire?   I don't think this team has ever played truly meaningful games in the last 2-3 weeks of the regular season.  We have lots of games left with the Phillies and Braves, and they play each other  7 or their last 10 or so.

Would it be considered a good choice not to sell if we end up in a pennant race but fall short on the last day or 2 of regular season?  I think it would be, but I'm sure lots disagree.

I don't think most people on here are capable of enjoying anything.  They'll just get even more stressed out, if that's even possible.   As for the merits, we're a ways away from an exciting race.  Get it down to 2 games or so with Atlanta and Philly and then it's something, but right now those two are in the middle of something exciting (winner gets the division, loser is clawing for the second WC spot) and we're in the also-rans with mediocrities  like the Giants, Cardinals, and Pirates.

[bluestreak]

Could this be the year that we finally have a fun pennant race that goes down to the wire?   I don't think this team has ever played truly meaningful games in the last 2-3 weeks of the regular season.  We have lots of games left with the Phillies and Braves, and they play each other  7 or their last 10 or so.

Would it be considered a good choice not to sell if we end up in a pennant race but fall short on the last day or 2 of regular season?  I think it would be, but I'm sure lots disagree.

I actually think it’s fun watching the game and watching the out town scoreboard like a hawk. It will actually be nice. Especially if you were one of those folks who had given up on the season.

[bluestreak]

I don't think most people on here are capable of enjoying anything.  They'll just get even more stressed out, if that's even possible.

Truth.

[nfotiu]

I actually think it’s fun watching the game and watching the out town scoreboard like a hawk. It will actually be nice. Especially if you were one of those folks who had given up on the season.

Something that gets lost in the whole "sell" discussion is the players and fans.  Fans are still paying money for the tickets.  Guys like Scherzer, Rendon and others have played very hard and have done their parts.  Is it really worth sending the message to them that they are punting the season with still a somewhat realistic chance of making the postseason just to pick up a couple prospects that may or may not work out?   

The more teams that tank on purpose, or go into full sell mode if they're not in first place at the trade deadline, the more it cheapens the sport in my eyes.  Rebuilds and sell offs are no guarantees at all.  I'd be happy watching meaningful games for the next couple months even if it doesn't quite pan out vs watching a team without Harper, Murphy and a bullpen.  Who knows, they could go into full sell mode, and still not sniff a division for 5-10 years.

[wj73]

I actually think it’s fun watching the game and watching the out town scoreboard like a hawk. It will actually be nice. Especially if you were one of those folks who had given up on the season.

This.

[raleighnat]

Win more than we lose on our own, win some games head to head.

Stay hot Harper

Win.  Do it enough and we'll be in first.  We control our destiny. 

[mitlen]

I actually think it’s fun watching the game and watching the out town scoreboard like a hawk.

That's what baseball is all about.     However, if ya ain't kvetchin' about your team, you ain't enjoyin' the season.        In my Army days, we had an NCO who used to say, "If you ain't nagin', you can't be happy."   

[imref]

4.5 back of the WC, 6 back of the division. 

[catocony]

Harper is playing a lot better, as is the team overall.  Now they need the Phillies and Braves to play some sub-.500 ball to see if they can get back into the race.  Six games back with 52 games to play.

[catocony]

Roark has his third very strong start in a row.  Going 5-1 for the week is nice, but they didn't pick up a game on the Phillies.