Nats (21-25) at Brewers (24-23)

Post #1 » by **Jollay** » Mon May 23, 2011 6:51 pm

Nats continue to survive, although they've lost four of their last five, scoring a total of four runs in those four losses. Jordan Zimmermann was the latest starter to be victimized, giving up two runs in just over six innings Sunday, looking dominant early, but taking the loss.

Brewers are red-hot of late after a dismal start. They're getting healthy and are probably none too pleased about getting swept by the Nats last month at Nats Park. This'll be a very tough series for Washington.

Brewers generally murderilize left-handed pitchers like Gorzelanny, but he lowered his career ERA to 4.66 ERA against them by only giving up a couple runs to them in April. he goes against Yovani Gallardo tonight in Game 1.

Nats see Zach Greinke for the first time as a Brewer, after he spurned coming to DC.

Post #2 » by **Rafael122** » Tue May 24, 2011 12:23 pm

Can you imagine a rotation with Greinke and Zimmerman at the top? Then you add Strasburg next year, it'd be just as good as the Phillies rotation IMO.

Tough loss last night, and LaRoche was placed on the DL. Eventually the pitching can't do all the work, we have to start hitting as well.

Post #3 » by **Jollay** » Tue May 24, 2011 12:36 pm

Rafael122 wrote:Can you imagine a rotation with Greinke and Zimmerman at the top? Then you add Strasburg next year, it'd be just as good as the Phillies rotation IMO.

Tough loss last night, and LaRoche was placed on the DL. Eventually the pitching can't do all the work, we have to start hitting as well.

That would be sweet. I never got a straight answer, but apparently the Royals were asking for some combination of Zimmermann, Storen, and Desmond (perhaps Espinosa)--the actual deal was never leaked, but you have to think it included Zimmermann at least.

I feel like bad times could be ahead for the Nats. You had to figure LaRoche's bat woulda come around sometime, and his defense is invaluable. Last night after the game was obviously already lost, Alex Cora came in and played first on a double switch. Ugh.

Nats got punished last night, now they get their best chance of the series to win a game, with Narveson going up against Livan. Nats handled Narveson in DC and you would think they have a reasonable chance to do so again, although he can be tough.

Name of the game is just survive right now.

Post #4 » by **Rafael122** » Tue May 24, 2011 2:39 pm

By the way, I've been meaning to rant on this for awhile now, but Matt Stairs is probably the most worthless player they have right now. He is 43 years old, he can't play the field so what's the point of keeping him on the roster? It's not like a pitcher is afraid of him.

Post #5 » by **Jollay** » Wed May 25, 2011 2:27 pm

Rafael122 wrote:By the way, I've been meaning to rant on this for awhile now, but Matt Stairs is probably the most worthless player they have right now. He is 43 years old, he can't play the field so what's the point of keeping him on the roster? It's not like a pitcher is afraid of him.

Yeah, I've been trying to watch him lately to see if he has anything left. He hasn't hit anything, but his bat speed and mechanics look okay.

It'll be interesting to see if he sticks.

Nats blew a big one and lost 7-6 in Game 2. Big blow was a two-run shot off Tyler Clippard by Rickie Weeks to close the Brewers to within 6-5.

Brewers are hot right now. Marquis versus Greinke in a pleasureable afternoon game.

Nats better make this up in the homestand coming next versus San Diego and Phily or they might really dig themselves a hole by the time Zimmy gets back.

Post #6 » by **Rafael122** » Wed May 25, 2011 3:09 pm

I'm just putting it out there but it makes you wonder if Rizzo should have focused more on strengthening the bullpen. It's what...3 deep? Maybe 4 with Kimball?

Post #7 » by **Jollay** » Wed May 25, 2011 6:20 pm

Rafael122 wrote:I'm just putting it out there but it makes you wonder if Rizzo should have focused more on strengthening the bullpen. It's what...3 deep? Maybe 4 with Kimball?

Well--not many teams have quality talent beyond that. Trying to sneak by with Broderick on the roster initially was a bad idea, but other than that, can't really complain. Burnett's been hit a little bit but you have to figure he'll get better. Slaten was a great left-handed specialist last year, and Rodriguez had under a 1.00 ERA before last night.

God Mike Morse just hit another bomb to tie the afternoon game at three. He's been red-hot, at least in Milwaukee, with homers in every game.

Scabs304 · Post #8 » by **Scabs304** » Thu May 26, 2011 4:23 am

I still don't understand how we weren't able to find Morse more at bats last year and then how he has such a short leash to start this season. He can just be a game changer at the plate.

Post #9 » by **Jollay** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:59 pm

Scabs304 wrote:I still don't understand how we weren't able to find Morse more at bats last year and then how he has such a short leash to start this season.

Yeah, weird. I guess with Nix being about the only hot bat on the team early on, but still.

Nats get swept by the Brewers. Day off and then six against the Padres and Phillies at home. Now at 21-28, a bad showing this homestand could be an early KO to the Nats' chances at respectability this year.

Post #10 » by **Rafael122** » Fri May 27, 2011 2:06 pm

They gotta sweep the Pads, and maybe take 1 against the Phillies but yeah, seems like this could be the weekend where the Nats could put themselves in a hole.