Nats (12-4) at Pads (5-12)

Post #1 » by **Jollay** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:32 pm

Tuesday, 10:05 PM: Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 2.04 ERA) vs. Clayton Richard (1-1, 5.89 ERA)
Wednesday, 6:35 PM: Jordan Zimmermann (0-1, 1.29 ERA) vs. Joe Wieland (0-2, 5.73 ERA)
Thursday, 10:05 PM: Edwin Jackson (1-1, 4.26 ERA) vs. Edinson Volquez (0-2, 4.30 ERA)

Can the Pads score even five runs this series? Bet the under with Nats pitchers holding batters to around a .200 average and the Pads batting just slightly better than that as a team.

Bats just need to produce at a decent level in this series. LaRoche and Werth are hitting and Zimmerman seems to be coming around.

Desmond is hitting but still rarely takes a walk. He's batting .294 but only has an OBP of .319. Contrast that with Espinosa, batting only .218 but with a .323 OBP....

Those two really are the keys to the season. If the starters pitch like they have it'll be playoffs regardless, but without top of the lineup getting on base it'll be close getting in and a quick exit.

Post #2 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:22 pm

I smell a lot of 3-2 ball games in this series. Pads are AWFUL offensively so it's one of those series where the Nats are clearly the better team and must play like it. I'm almost giving up on Espinosa. Would much prefer Lombo.

Post #3 » by **Jollay** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:29 pm

There is much money to be had betting the under with the Nats, no matter what the number is.

Nats take the first game 3-1, but bad news concerning Ryan Zimmerman, whose MRI results on his shoulder are "not favorable."

He can't seem to stay healthy, and if he's out an extended period of time, the Nats' lineup is looking VERY weak without him and Morse. I know there were some that were reluctant to give him the money he got because of health concerns, although I wasn't one of them.

Hopefully Nady and DeRosa can hit. Nady's batting like .150 but I think he's been making pretty good contact. And if the Nats' starters continue to perform at a historic pace, it won't even matter.

Somewhat earlier start today, with JZ on the mound.

Post #4 » by **Jollay** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:31 pm

I want to add I'm loving Gio Gonzalez. Not only has he been dominant, he seems like a really cool guy, giving alot of autographs and making alot of local appearances. Always smiling.

Thought the Nats gave up a ton to get him, but it is definitely working out.

Post #5 » by **Rafael122** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:02 pm

Millone pitched really solid last night I saw, but its only a matter of time before they start to figure him out.

BTW, this is why I was against giving Ryan the extension when he had 2 years left on his contract. Injuries. He's already hurt and we're only 3 weeks into the season. Is his body breaking down or is the guy just made of glass?

Post #6 » by **Rafael122** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:39 am

Jordan Z finally got some run support, and he and Gonzo managed to drive in a run each.

Ryan Z's MRI came back and it doesn't look like he's going on the disabled list, but he has shoulder inflammation nonetheless. They look for the sweep tomorrow.

Post #7 » by **Jollay** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:12 pm

Rafael122 wrote:Jordan Z finally got some run support, and he and Gonzo managed to drive in a run each.

Ryan Z's MRI came back and it doesn't look like he's going on the disabled list, but he has shoulder inflammation nonetheless. They look for the sweep tomorrow.

Wow, that's good news about Zimmerman.