PB69 presents "Fire Dave Martinez" (2019)

[expos1994]

No. The offensive prowess of this team is vastly overblown due to current offensive climate and facing a ton of bad teams in the middle of the season. The Dodgers are much better than them, offensively.

I don't know about that. They have put up some crooked numbers in this series but just looking at the season numbers, the Nationals have a better hitting offense. The Dodgers played in a weak division and their lineup is still filled with .250 and below hitters. The Nats have several guys in the .280-.300+ range.
They just need to get it done in the playoffs. Starting today.

[van lingle mungo]

I heard on the way home that it was likely determined by the analytics side of the house that Sanchez would at best go five, as percentages suggest a harder time around in the sixth. How about with all of the known bullpen issues, you override the analytics, observe with your own eyes that Sanchez's pitches are working against a potent lineup -- having only thrown 87, and let him go (with a quick hook) until you hopefully clear off another three outs?

Exactly. I'll spare you my rant against the analytics side, but they flashed through my mind instantly as soon as Sanchez got the hook.

[varoadking]

lil' d was not very convincing when he spoke about pullin' Sanchez because he was up to 87 pitches...I don't think he believe it either...

[van lingle mungo]

lil' d was not very convincing when he spoke about pullin' Sanchez because he was up to 87 pitches...I don't think he believe it either...

Yeah, well... he bought into it, and has made no secret of his fondness for analytics. The "real" Davey would never have pulled him, I can assure you.

[PowerBoater69]

No. The offensive prowess of this team is vastly overblown due to current offensive climate and facing a ton of bad teams in the middle of the season. The Dodgers are much better than them, offensively.

The offense did rise with the league, but 54 more total runs than the second highest season for a 51 year old franchise can't be dismissed as insignificant.

[PowerBoater69]

Also, Sanchez' spot came up with a runner on. Do you just give up on scoring that run and let Sanchez hit/sacrifice?

Gomes, since he was going in anyway.

[Slateman]

Gomes, since he was going in anyway.

Then you may as well leave Sanchez in and not care about scoring a run.

[PowerBoater69]

Then you may as well leave Sanchez in and not care about scoring a run.

I definitely would have left Sanchez in, and even if I went with Corbin I would not have pulled Suzuki, and even if I pulled Suzuki I would not have had Zimmerman hit for the pitcher instead of Gomes. Unforced error upon unforced error.

[Slateman]

I definitely would have left Sanchez in, and even if I went with Corbin I would not have pulled Suzuki, and even if I pulled Suzuki I would not have had Zimmerman hit for the pitcher instead of Gomes. Unforced error upon unforced error.

Except they're not … ?

You should stick to ranting about HBPs.

[UMDNats]

I definitely would have left Sanchez in, and even if I went with Corbin I would not have pulled Suzuki, and even if I pulled Suzuki I would not have had Zimmerman hit for the pitcher instead of Gomes. Unforced error upon unforced error.

Corbin has literally thrown 100% of his pitches this season to Gomes, and you want him to change that in Game 3 of the NLDS out of the bullpen?

[spidernat]

Corbin has literally thrown 100% of his pitches this season to Gomes, and you want him to change that in Game 3 of the NLDS out of the bullpen?

Gomes is really good at blocking Corbin's pitches in the dirt.

[nfotiu]

Gomes is really good at blocking Corbin's pitches in the dirt.

Yeah, watching him block those balls in the dirt, it was pretty obvious why Gomes needed to be in there.  Although he could have let in 5-6 runs with Suzuki catching too.

[PowerBoater69]

Corbin has literally thrown 100% of his pitches this season to Gomes, and you want him to change that in Game 3 of the NLDS out of the bullpen?

How much do Corbin and Suzuki get paid to throw and catch? They can't handle working together? Sanchez can't work with Gomes? Pretty damn bad planning. I remember Johnson and Baker not wanting pitchers to have dedicated catchers. In any case, you bat Gomes there if he's going in the game. Zimmerman can be saved for the next time the pitcher's spot comes up.

[djbaseball13]

Exactly.
There are no low level situations in the playoffs. What's the point of having a larger bench in the playoffs if you don't use it? No problems with that move.
Opponents against Sanchez are hitting .286/.357/.532/.889 the third time through the order (pitches 76-100+). And so what, he goes one more inning? You're right back where you started, having no way to get through the 7th and 8th to get the ball to Hudson.

This game is on the hitters and their inability to capitalize with runners on.

I do think Sanchez could have went 1 more inning, BUT Davey wanted Corbin to pitch for sure, so last night's game was doomed either way.  I think if we extend the postseason, we should consider using Voth (either starting of relief)? 

[djbaseball13]

How much do Corbin and Suzuki get paid to throw and catch? They can't handle working together? Sanchez can't work with Gomes? Pretty damn bad planning. I remember Johnson and Baker not wanting pitchers to have dedicated catchers. In any case, you bat Gomes there if he's going in the game. Zimmerman can be saved for the next time the pitcher's spot comes up.

and, we could use Zim defensively at first base 

[UMDNats]

How much do Corbin and Suzuki get paid to throw and catch? They can't handle working together? Sanchez can't work with Gomes? Pretty damn bad planning. I remember Johnson and Baker not wanting pitchers to have dedicated catchers. In any case, you bat Gomes there if he's going in the game. Zimmerman can be saved for the next time the pitcher's spot comes up.

Gomes catches Corbin because Suzuki can't block pitches like Gomes can.

[djbaseball13]

I heard on the way home that it was likely determined by the analytics side of the house that Sanchez would at best go five, as percentages suggest a harder time around in the sixth. How about with all of the known bullpen issues, you override the analytics, observe with your own eyes that Sanchez's pitches are working against a potent lineup -- having only thrown 87, and let him go (with a quick hook) until you hopefully clear off another three outs?

On the other side of the field, Russell Martin of all people was talking about scouting info they had on Corbin's two-strike tendencies. They do common sense baseball prep while the Nats do what they do, and we have the final score. So thrilled the Lerners go the penny saver route on the managerial side, with such consistency in results when it counts.

GREAT POST!  I have said that Davey manages like he has these moves pre-planned anyway. He seems to have bought into "moneyball" statistics big-time. But as you said, we need to think outside the box with this team because we have a AA bullpen.  On a related note... apparently Max told Davey that he really wanted an extra days rest to pitch game 4 rather than game 3. I like hearing that, but the payoff is winning tonight!

[PowerBoater69]

Great IBB, now their pitcher won't lead off the third

[imref]

Great IBB, now their pitcher won't lead off the third

Oh come on. That was absolutely the right call.

[Slateman]

Oh come on. That was absolutely the right call.

Shhhhh ... PB is on a roll. Wait until someone gets plunked. Then it's all Daveys fault.

[PowerBoater69]

Are the Nats going to attempt a steal this post season?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Are the Nats going to attempt a steal this post season?

Taylor was running on a foul

[PowerBoater69]

Taylor was running on a foul

Not that we've had a a lot of spots to run, just thought it was curious that a team that spoke so much about being aggressive didn't have an attempt.

Great win tonight, time to ride Strasburg to victory.

[sixthree175]

Not that we've had a a lot of spots to run, just thought it was curious that a team that spoke so much about being aggressive didn't have an attempt.

Great win tonight, time to ride Strasburg to victory.

Part of it is that getting picked off is more likely against lefties.  I thought Turner would steal in Game 4 after the lead-off single.

If Stras cannot make it deep into the game, there would have to be a bridge to Doolittle and Hudson.  Would it be better to open with Corbin for three innings, then switch to Stras?  The leash on Corbin would be short. 

[djbaseball13]

If Stras cannot make deep into the game, there would have to be a bridge to Doolittle and Hudson.  Would it be better to open with Corbin for three innings, then switch to Stras?  The leash on Corbin would be short.

No Corbin.  Stras is well rested and should be able to go deep. I think we could use Voth or Rainey if needed.  Corbin or Sanchez can start game 1 of NLCS