Official 2012 Washington National Season

[Santheb]

Originally Posted by cal_junior

Clippard looked good last night in the 9th. The only problem with having him close, of course, is you lose arguably the best set-up guy in baseball.

Take Stammen out of his long reliever role then. He's been lights out this year. I'd feel way better going Starter > Stammen > Clippard than anything involving Henry. I like Henry, don't get me wrong, but I'm also scared ishless when be comes in. Burnett can close on days when Clipp doesn't.

Edit: I forgot they just called up Chien Mien Wang too, giving them another arm for the bullpen.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Seems to me the Nats have a pretty good bull pen even without Storen. A few guys could close right now including Burnett, Stammen, Rodriguez, or Clippard. Rodriguez needs a short leash. But when he's on his stuff is nasty! Davey Johnson maybe made a mistake giving him the closer role at that time. Perhaps it was too much pressure.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgundy

Seems to me the Nats have a pretty good bull pen even without Storen. A few guys could close right now including Burnett, Stammen, Rodriguez, or Clippard. Rodriguez needs a short leash. But when he's on his stuff is nasty! Davey Johnson maybe made a mistake giving him the closer role at that time. Perhaps it was too much pressure.

You might have something here. I assume his thought process was not messing with Clippard, and just having H-Rod sub until Lidge/Storen get back. But it's possible the smarter move would have been to have H-Rod do the 7th or 8th and have somebody with better command (i.e. Clippard) pitch the 9th.

It's so frustrating watching that guy not be able to find the zone. His stuff is ridiculous.

[Santheb]

I personally think last nights win versus the Mets was a huge game for the Nats last night, and exciting to boot. The way they refused to quit (and the Mets refused to win) and the kids first walkoff. Pretty exciting stuff these Nationals are doing, despite a rash of injuries.

Real tough stretch coming up though. I think this could be the contender or pretender test.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by Santheb

Real tough stretch coming up though. I think this could be the contender or pretender test.

Agreed. And it sure would have been nice to have Werth and Storen available over this next month.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Santheb

I personally think last nights win versus the Mets was a huge game for the Nats last night, and exciting to boot. The way they refused to quit (and the Mets refused to win) and the kids first walkoff. Pretty exciting stuff these Nationals are doing, despite a rash of injuries.

Real tough stretch coming up though. I think this could be the contender or pretender test.

Yep ..... last year was looking up about this same time when they got to the inner-league play. But this year's squad - the pieces seem to be falling into place nicely and players are excited about their play (to date). Come away this road trip .500 or better and that WILL be saying something - IMO.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Yep ..... last year was looking up about this same time when they got to the inner-league play. But this year's squad - the pieces seem to be falling into place nicely and players are excited about their play (to date). Come away this road trip .500 or better and that WILL be saying something - IMO.

This time last year the Nats were in last place, about 10 games out of first.

But I absolutely agree with your point about the pieces being in place. Until Strasburg gets shut down this is nice-looking little team.

[Emmanouel8]

Originally Posted by cal_junior

Until Strasburg gets shut down this is nice-looking little team.

That's the gut-wrenching thing. I think we have a shot at the whole thing this year, but the shut-down is inevitable.

It's painful listening to these idiots who don't know much of anything outside of chewing tobacco to campaign and keep him throwing if they're in a position to play in the post season. I'd rather be in contention the next 10 or so years rather than just one. If we go for it all and fail we can't just control-ALT-delete what was done.

It's easier to retool with Stras and I think we're built to make a run for the next 3 years at least. Without him we're a slightly above average club looking for another ace.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by Emmanouel8

I'd rather be in contention the next 10 or so years rather than just one.

Totally agree.

Strasburg: 23
Grio: 26
Zimmermann: 26

If those three guys stay healthy the Nats will have one of the league's best top-of-the-rotation for at least five more seasons, maybe more. That's a great way to stay relevant in professional baseball.

[dj_stouty]

I must say...I really don't enjoy watching baseball, but I've been compelled to tune into every other game just to see an inning or two of Strasburg and Harper.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by dj_stouty

I must say...I really don't enjoy watching baseball, but I've been compelled to tune into every other game just to see an inning or two of Strasburg and Harper.

Tomorrow night: Strasburg vs. the Red Sox in Fenway. Should be an awesome environment.

[Santheb]

Originally Posted by cal_junior

Tomorrow night: Strasburg vs. the Red Sox in Fenway. Should be an awesome environment.

Turned out to be a pretty awesome game! Can't wait to see Gio out there today.

As far as the Stras shut down goes, it's going to suck but Gio is really just Ace B, and they can just pull Detwiler back up from the pen. Personally I hope Rizzo pulls a Sike! moment and lets him keep rocking.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by Santheb

Personally I hope Rizzo pulls a Sike! moment and lets him keep rocking.

I think the Nats are pretty happy with how Zimmermann bounced back from his Tommy John, and they shut him down at 161 last year.

[Santheb]

Originally Posted by cal_junior

I think the Nats are pretty happy with how Zimmermann bounced back from his Tommy John, and they shut him down at 161 last year.

They weren't even close to contention though either. It'll be a hard decision if they're in the thick of it come August - September

Edit: Great weekend for the Nats. Swept Boston while the rest of the division lost today. The AL East helped put some cushion in the standings between the Nats and the rest of the NL East too.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by Santheb

They weren't even close to contention though either. It'll be a hard decision if they're in the thick of it come August - September

Based on what I know about Rizzo it won't be a hard decision at all, regardless of where they are in the standings. He doesn't think one playoff run is worth risking the team's franchise ace.