The Nats are rolling now...
Finally the Nats have begun to play solid baseball.
The most improvement in my opinion has been in the defense and in the number of clutch hits that the boys have put together recently.
The starting pitching hasn't been real consistent lately, but with the offense scoring more runs than anyone in baseball over the last 10 days, they haven't had to be.
The bullpen has been solid for the most part. MacDougal has shut down the opposition four straight times. You have to go all the way back to 2003 to find a stretch where he was as effective.
Clippard and Bergmann have been eating up innings, both men going two-plus and putting up nothing but zeros. Clippard has shown an uncanny ability to elevate his fastball to punch out guys at a clip of better than 10 per nine innings. Bergmann's power slider and 94 mph fastball have been equally impressive.
Villone has been a Rock. Burnett has had only one bad outing since the trade, showing why the Pirates rated him their best prospect for three straight years. He seems to be all the way back from the Tommy John surgery.
Speaking of the trade, kudos to Mike Rizzo--in my opinion he has done a fantastic job weeding out people who do not fit into his philosophy as character people. He realizes more than anyone that MAKEUP is as strong a factor as tools.
Nyjer Morgan is a prime example...He has made the difference on this ballclub. Since he's been here, the energy level looks as if it's doubled.
I believe that Jim Riggleman has had a lot to do with that too. Jim is a no nonsense guy. I managed against him for two years, and I promise you that he excels at running a game.
He runs a game much differently than Manny. The biggest difference that I have noticed is that Riggs is more of a match-up guy, a gut manager. He will stay with a reliever as long as he feels that his stuff is there. When he does make a change, you can bet that he finds the best possible match-up available.
Manny, on the other hand, had a tendency to set his bullpen up with a reliever ear marked for a specific inning.
I have always strongly believed that if you depend on four relievers for four innings that at least one of those guys is going to have an off night. With match-ups, you read your man's stuff and make a move as soon as you see it change.
Furthermore, Jim does not tolerate bad defensive plays, nor does he allow his team not to be fundamentally sound. It's not always about how much work you do. Sometimes - or maybe I should say most of the time - it's about how you go about your work.
You must have high expectations and not make excuses for failure--It's all about attitude.
On one final note, I'll miss Nick Johnson. He goes about it all the right way.
Keep swing those bats Men...
-Ray
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Categories (click for archive)MASNblogs | Ray Knight |
Ray, glad to hear you say what you said about Nick Johnson. He has been my favorite player since 2005 by far. It has been really hard for me to watch the Nats since the trade. He's such a stand up, play the game the right way guy and is greatly missed by this fan. I am happy for him though to be with a contending team. I hope all the best for him and his family - he deserves it. And I will continue to follow him where ever he plays.
I also really enjoy and respect your game analysis. Keep up the good work. Carolyn
Ray,
Many thanks for continuing to "tell it like it is"! We appreciate your candid insights and perspectives on the Nats and baseball. What continues to concern me is the "interim" tags on Mike Rizzo and Jim Riggleman. Surely Stan Kasten understands that they need more predictable futures to maximize their effectiveness. What's he waiting for? (Maybe this can be the subject of one of your future blogs.) Thanks again for giving us a great angle on Nats baseball.
Riggleman has this team on the right path. Since the break you can see a more competive team. The Nat's have taken giant steps in improving the two things you kept preaching about before the 1/2 way mark... pitching and defense.
I enjoy reading baseball history and ran across a comparison that made me stop and think on Riggleman at this time in his managing career.
My readings was about a manager who came to his team with an attitude, and took over at a time talent was beginning to build up on the team. It was time for this team to win. After his take over, the improvement was there but did not show too clearly in the standings. But, the next season.....
Well, maybe I'm getting ahead of the situation.
The young manager was Gil Hodges of the 1968 NY Mets. And we know what happened in 1969. I'm not wanting to put that kind of pressure on the young Nat's or Riggleman but it does have some of the same traits doesn't it.
Good job Jim !!!! Let's keep playing like it means something.
Go Nat's!!! RR-Winchester, VA
I'm sure not Dr.James Andrews, nor am I such a fan to jeopardize a young arm just to grab a win or two. Statements have been made previously that all of the young Nat's were on inning counts. So my vote goes to putting Jordon Zimmermann on the shelf the remainder of this season. We sure do not need to damage his/our future. The team has several young pitchers who could eat up any obtainable innings that Zimmermann absents may make available.
Go Nats!!! RR-Winchester, VA.
How can I get your baseball coverage in Montezuma, Georgia? Would love to watch you and the team.
Ray
Three words: Strasburg! Strasburg! Strasburg baybee!!
Had him all the way. I knew it was cinched when the old man flew out there to see him. There isn't a 20 year old in the world Ted Lerner couldn't sell.
You were saying before that SS probably wouldn't contribute much if at all next season until he got some work in the minors. Arizona fall league isn't long enough for him to really get a foothold, he'll definitely need some more time, right? Of course, if he starts knocking bats out of people's hands in spring training it might get interesting. I just hope they de-emphasize his slider because we don't need another elbow on the DL. He can smoke you just by locating the 2 and 4 seam fastball, like you say, he can get by with mistakes because he throws so hard, especially up in the zone. Reminds me of Mel Allen on TWIB > IT'S FANN-TASTIC
Also looks like McCatty's gotten everyone's else attention too - Mock seems like he's not fighting himself as much and is focusing on the mitt and just letting the ball go. That curveball is almost unhittable, especially when he locks you at the knees. Ballester too. And Stammen. They're still going 5 or 6 even if they don't have great control, so maybe the light is going on with them, it's got less to do with the hitters, the only thing that really matters is their confidence. Ballester only gave up 4 hits the other night. That's tough man. I think it would be a real plus to get those three a full slate of innings this year to go into spring training that much tougher.
Ray
Do you think that getting Livan might possibly take some big league lumps away from the rookie pitchers this year? I mean, we're seeing signs with the young guys, but Stammen and Mock seem like they're at the cusp of the first big hill, trying to keep your pitch count down so you can go 6 or 7, or possibly longer. What do you think is the correct approach with, let's face it - a couple of big, strong guys who seem to be getting sharper toward the end of the season?
Thanks
I have Nats front row season tickets over the opposing bull pen and although I am envious of the area right behind home plate with its free food and up close view, I get a unique perspective of the game. It's both entertaining and telling to watch the interaction of the players below me. Teams like the Red Sox and Cubs seem to know that fans are the fuel that keep their engines running and interact a lot---but of course that is probably because their loyal fans grab all the seats around me for their games so they can see them up close and personal. The Phillys have a pitcher who rewards kids with balls if they answer trick questions correctly. Even though I am an older fan and the bull pen seems to have an eye for attractive young women and children, I frequently end up with a ball in hand.
My favorite bull pen/spectator experience occurred at the game on Friday against the Marlins. Pinto, who has always been one of the nicest players---interacting with fans before and throughout the game and providing lots of little kids with a baseball---worked hard to remove the seams of a baseball with his pocket knife and then carefully painted the ball red and blue with markers, carefully outlining the curly W, and writing Nationals in red. He then added his number, 37, and printed his name. He walked over and tossed the ball up to me.
Of course the Marlins ended up beating us that night---partly because Pinto was sent to the mound and quickly disposed of my favorite player Adam Dunn---but I felt like a winner with my piece of baseball art in hand.
Ray
What an outta site game from Desmond last night! Felt like '05 for awhile. You're right, that was a massive shot to center. On a breaking ball! What does that say to you in general? How do you project Desmond at this point in his career? I mean, you talk about value to a club - even if he doesn't start next year, he's a commodity off the bench. He can play the middle infield positions as well as probably be a backup outfielder in certain situations. He could surely play 1B because he's 6'2". He was talking about how bright and clear everything was, sounds almost like the new frontier for him. You can't play in a major league stadium until you're in the majors. Like you're saying, he was aggressive and hungry in all facets. Kind of like Morgan when he came over. You know that stuff rubs off. Didn't they draft him when he was 17? That's a lot of bus rides.
Brue
Thanks for your contributions this year. I will miss my Nats over the winter!