Nationals @ Mets, Game 2

[Dave in Fairfax]

   

       @       

Washington Nationals @ New York Mets
Where: Citi Field
When: October 4, 8:10 EDT
Weather: 55°F, 50% chance of precipitation, windy
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 FM

Pitching Match-Up:

Paolo Espino (RHP, 0-8, 4.30) - versus - Taijuan Walker (RHP, 12-5, 3.59)

Batting Line-Ups:
   

Washington Nationals 1. Lane Thomas (R) RF 2. CJ Abrams (L) SS 3. Joey Meneses (R) 1B 4. Luis García (L) 2B 5. Luke Voit (R) DH 6. César Hernández (S) 3B 7. Alex Call (R) CF 8. Josh Palacios (L) LF 9. Tres Barrera (R) C

New York Mets 1. Brandon Nimmo (L) CF 2. Francisco Lindor (S) SS 3. Jeff McNeil (L) RF 4. Pete Alonso (R) 1B 5. Daniel Vogelbach (L) DH 6. Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B 7. Mark Canha (R) LF 8. Luis Guillorme (L) 2B 9. James McCann (R) C

   

[Dave in Fairfax]

Was there a post-game 1 announcement re Robles' leaving the game?

[Dave in Fairfax]

This one is off to a great start. 

[Slateman]

Was there a post-game 1 announcement re Robles' leaving the game?

Nope

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I had really wanted Espino to get a win this year.  Most of the time, he's not been awful.  Before I check, I'd say probably most of his starts were winnable if not quality starts. 

I just can't believe how many guys who aren't rotation quality starters have had to start this year.  I also think there was a little failure of imagination not to manage these guys better.  This is a team that should have been using 1-2 inning openers before having these guys go 4-6 innings.  Time through the order penalty, using short, max effort guys against the top and heart of the order to save these soft starter a time facing them. It's not like what I'm saying is out of nowhere.  Lot's of folks have said this.

[Elvir Ovcina]

I had really wanted Espino to get a win this year.  Most of the time, he's not been awful.  Before I check, I'd say probably most of his starts were winnable if not quality starts. 

I just can't believe how many guys who aren't rotation quality starters have had to start this year.  I also think there was a little failure of imagination not to manage these guys better.  This is a team that should have been using 1-2 inning openers before having these guys go 4-6 innings.  Time through the order penalty, using short, max effort guys against the top and heart of the order to save these soft starter a time facing them. It's not like what I'm saying is out of nowhere.  Lot's of folks have said this.

On the plus side, Espino won't set the record for most innings in a season without a win.  All he needed to do was get an out in the fifth to tie it.  At least he safely avoided even getting close?

[Dave in Fairfax]

I think Espino was expected to be around eighth in starters on the depth chart. Once healthy, Strasburg, Corbin, Fedde, Ross and Gray would have been the main rotation, with the two Sanchezes and Espino as depth/injury replacements. I suppose Rogers and Adon were in there somewhere, too. And then guys like Abbott and Cavalli waiting in the wings.

[welch]

Atlanta leading 2 - 1 going into the top of the 9th. Miami had bases loaded, 2 out, and failed to score.

Mets are so close to winning NLE, but...

[aspenbubba]

I came home to hear this game ?

[welch]

Miami's ballpark is so empty that I can hear that pathetic chop song from two or three Barfs fans.

[imref]

Just tuning in what happened to Abrams?

[welch]

That's it: Barfs beat Miami, so they win the NL East. So sad for the Metsies.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I came home to hear this game ?

may you be sealed for a better year than the Nats.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

That's it: Barfs beat Miami, so they win the NL East. So sad for the Metsies.

did you skip the going to the game or is the double header last night's tickets?

[Natsinpwc]

That's it: Barfs beat Miami, so they win the NL East. So sad for the Metsies.

I was hoping the Barfs would lose tonight so they would pitch DeGrom tomorrow and then lose the division anyway.

[Dave in Fairfax]

Regarding the discussion we had a few GDTs ago, about whether MLB could try to schedule the final series in covered stadiums or milder climates to avoid these bad fall weather issues, my brother pointed out a flaw in my thinking. Teams are supposed to alternate ending their seasons at home every other season, so you have to schedule end-of-season games in these rain-prone cities in alternating seasons. So the only solution would be to make every team build a controlled-environment stadium.

[Dave in Fairfax]

Made Game 1 look like a nail-biter.

[Elvir Ovcina]

Regarding the discussion we had a few GDTs ago, about whether MLB could try to schedule the final series in covered stadiums or milder climates to avoid these bad fall weather issues, my brother pointed out a flaw in my thinking. Teams are supposed to alternate ending their seasons at home every other season, so you have to schedule end-of-season games in these rain-prone cities in alternating seasons. So the only solution would be to make every team build a controlled-environment stadium.

Or fix the issue one out of every two years and hope for the best.

[English Natsie]

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse...never underestimate our 2022 Nationals...

11th shut-out of season. 

Booth - 'he's not thought of as a strike-out pitcher'...'and there's his 10th strike-out!...'   

[sixthree175]

That's it: Barfs beat Miami, so they win the NL East. So sad for the Metsies.

Thereby sparing the feeble, woeful Nationals from the embarrassment of allowing two different division rivals to skate into the post season or into a bye position.  Now everyone can "relax and enjoy" the final, anticlimactic day of season.  Be prepared for multiple antics out on the field and in the dugouts...wouldn't be surprised to see  Robles tracking down fly balls with an official, Nationals emblem lampshade on his head.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/263171176/washington-nationals-lamp-shade

[welch]

did you skip the going to the game or is the double header last night's tickets?

Yes. We were at the Nats 2014 18 inning loss in the playoffs. That was pretty miserable. It was raining all morning and into the afternoon, temperature was about 50, wind was waving the trees in Ft Tryon Park below our windows. Just seemed like more misery, and all to say farewell to a bad season.

[welch]

Forecast is for rain to start today about 4pm. Another dreary day.