Nationals (55-59) @ Cubbies (49-66)

[Rafael122]

Nats continue their road trip by visiting the Cubbies for 3 games. Wang goes against Garza tonight, another series that the Nats could conceivably win, but we'll see. I like the fact that they're still hovering around the .500 mark.

[pineappleheadindc]

I really hope that:

1. Wang gets his stuff back, AND;
2. He signs a deal with the Nats (with his good stuff) as loyalty for us paying for his rehab the last two years.

Strasburg
JZim
Lannan
Wang
Who cares


That's a pretty good rotation. Add to the fact that (if we don't do anything stupid in the off season), we got an all-star set-up man and a real closer. That's a pitching staff.

[Rafael122]

We need pitchers who can go six innings at least, b/c the bullpen set up with Coffey/Rodriguez/Clippard/Storen is filthy.

[Jollay]

Me Jollay bet on Cubs tonight.

I do hope Wang rediscovers his stuff and stays. At a discount.

[Jollay]

I really hope that:

1. Wang gets his stuff back, AND;
2. He signs a deal with the Nats (with his good stuff) as loyalty for us paying for his rehab the last two years.

Strasburg
JZim
Lannan
Wang
Who cares


That's a pretty good rotation. Add to the fact that (if we don't do anything stupid in the off season), we got an all-star set-up man and a real closer. That's a pitching staff.

Nats are really hoping Detwiller can earn a spot. He has looked better.

[pineappleheadindc]

^
I hope he progresses. Actually, not too much pressure as the #5 starter (assuming Wang is part of the lineup next year).

May be a really good situation for him.

[Rafael122]

No game tonight. Doubleheader on Thursday.

[pineappleheadindc]

wang pitching very, very well through 5.

Very well, if you know what I mean.

[Rafael122]

Good while it lasted. Very good outing for Wang. Morse smoked that ball.

[pineappleheadindc]

Dang, I hope I didn't JInx Wang's no-no.



Well....a win is a win.

[Jollay]

I am so tired of Carpenter/Santangelo's superlatives. Always with FP it's the biggest or best he's ever seen. Never seen a blast like Morse's last night in Wrigley.

I myself don't believe it should be superstition on the no-no until it at least gets into the 7th.

Great win, Detwiller goes tonight.

[Rafael122]

FP says he played a lot of games at Wrigley and he's never seen a ball hit that far. How many games did he really play at Wrigley? He played for 6 years.

[pineappleheadindc]

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I don't need to see lotsa scoring in baseball. 2-0, 3-0 is fine with me.

But IMO, there's nothing more exciting than seeing a pitcher toy with a no-no. About the 5th inning or so, you start thinking about it. You hear game announcers (if you're at home watching on TV) start to talk around things and not mention the only thing you're thinking about.

If I'm at a ballpark, I watch the dugout when the pitcher's team is batting. About the 5th inning or so, they kinda stop talking to him. But the 8th or 9th, he's sitting all alone. Ain't nobody talking to him about nothing.

Then, every single pitch counts. You kinda suck in your breath even for foul balls. You start to think about some underserved bloop or bad hop that you somehow just *know* is coming and will ruin the no-no. Every swing by the opponents is almost an opportunity for doom.

Watching a pitcher carry a no-no deep into the game is the most exciting baseball to me. More exciting than a triple or inside-the-park HR. More exciting - because it lasts so long and every pitch is so important - than a suicide squeeze.

[Jollay]

Well said Pine.

I agree completely, and that's why Strasburg starts are unbelievable, especially his debut.

Nats lose and go today with JZ, who can't have many more starts left...