Comments on: Nationals have all of the pieces for a longer run in 2013

By: jl9830

jl9830 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 21:27:16 +0000

I don’t think it’s necessarily a guarantee that Harper only gets better next year; he’s only 19 and teams will adjust to him. Let’s see how he adjusts back. A sophomore slump is not out of the question.

By: nicosamuelson2

nicosamuelson2 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 20:15:44 +0000

The Nationals got what they deserve.

By: theawesomersfranchise

theawesomersfranchise — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 16:35:42 +0000

Iceburg Strasberg

By: Kevin Gillman

Kevin Gillman — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 15:05:13 +0000

Matt, I want to remind you that the 2007 Cleveland Indians won 96 games, and were one win away from reaching the World Series. And this was a team that featured Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia anchoring their rotation, yet the very next season, they won 77 games and haven’t been back to the postseason since. The Nationals can easily fit that bill. Will they? Who knows, but for everyone that believes going back to the playoffs will be easy, I remind them of that Indians team, because as good as Strasberg and Gonzalez are, they still haven’t reached Cliff Lee and C.C. yet. We’ll find out though, but that is the very reason why you pitch Strasberg throughout the season, just limit his IP, and skip his starts every now and then.

By: Chip Caray's Eyebrows

Chip Caray's Eyebrows — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 14:24:08 +0000

Yeah, they kinda did. Sorry.

By: stex52

stex52 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 14:07:51 +0000

Something we talked about last week. If you want the championship to go to the “best” team, then play 162 and give it to the winner. When you open it up to short series between ten good teams, all sorts of stuff can happen. So it goes.

By: yarguy

yarguy — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 14:05:13 +0000

In Pouliot’s world it is impossible for the Cards to have won on their talent, so the only possible explanation is the Nats lost.

By: stex52

stex52 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 14:05:10 +0000

I’m with you, kel. Look to the longer run. It’s no fun now, but it will get better. And Houston can compete on salary in the AL West. (God, I hate DL Ball!)

By: chico54

chico54 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:45:43 +0000

I’m not saying Edwin lost last night I think storen and Gio are main two culprits. I was stating that Rizzo knew he was going to shut down Stras he should have tried to get an ace or possible a no 2 or no 3, I see Jackson as either a no 4 or no 5, an inning eater who at times shines but is too inconsistent to be counted on. But I have to agree with a lot of what people are writing about Johnson, he trusted his young players all year long but he should have played the game smarter last night. Jackson numbers against Cards were not good, why go to him. After the hit that knocked in 2 runs to tie it, why not walk Kozmo to face with T cruz or Motte, either way you give your team a better chance to win. And to not even have a lefty warming up to possible face the cards no 2 hitters is unacceptable in a do or die game. If storen was sharp against Molina and Freese,but they got hits, then I would understand going with Storen, should have gone to Gonzo to get Decalsco

By: haligert

haligert — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:37:11 +0000

Agreed ! Plus playing that position is “grueling” ….time will tell.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:23:44 +0000

It’s entirely possible he made a change in his approach, and he’s now a .540 slugging hitter; however, one year isn’t enough of a sample size to say, moving forward, this is his true talent level. If he puts up another .500 SLG year next year or at least the first few months, we can say this is his new, true talent level.

But to avoid it completely, along with the other comments I made smacks of hypocrisy.

By: haligert

haligert — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:07:20 +0000

Most of your comment makes sense, yet the last part about Chooch (Ruiz) I would challenge. ONLY because he made changes in his “approach” at the plate over the off season last year. Will he hit the same next season? That’s just not ever a guarantee with any player, and yet if he continues with the same “go with the pitch” approach I believe he can still deliver a better than average plate appearance.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 12:56:35 +0000

with either a starter better then Edwin Jackson

Maybe a nats fan can help me out, but what’s with the blame on Jackson (both here and on ESPN/Baseball Tonight)? Looking at the box score, I’d put it like Storen > Gonzalez > Clippard/Jackson. How Jackson is taking the brunt of the blame with Clippard who also gave up a run, Storen obviously should take most of it for giving up 4R in an inning, but taking 100 pitches to throw 5 innings and 3 ER when you are up 3-0 in the first and 6-0 after 3? Gonzalez should also get some major blame.

By: chico54

chico54 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 12:46:19 +0000

I understand everyones point about strasburg not pitching, but the easy thing was to let him continue to pitch. Wether they make it or not next year or near future to the world series its good to see the GM look out for the player and hold to what he believes what is best for his organization then to listen to others who I am sorry don’t have all the information that Rizzo has about his medical condition. Rizzo said from day one of spring training he was going to hold stras to a 160 inning. It wasn’t arrogant it was what rizzo believes is best for his player and the organization. If he was wrong so be it, I would be more upset that they didn’t improve the organization at the all star break, with either a starter better then Edwin Jackson or a left hand bat better then Tracy off the bench. And for National Fans I don’t think there were many who thought they would win 98 games or win the division so yes they can do it again but then again they could become the Braves whom so many people like to use as an example of how to run an organization, oh yeah only one world series win with maddox, smoltz and Glavine and the great pitcher Avery(who Leo and the braves ruined by over pitching him) or the last two years the phillies who still have a little window open but lets be serious, Utley will get hurt again and Howard struggles against lefties, So next year its anybodies game.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 12:44:05 +0000

I know nothing is guaranteed, but I will take this young roster over Phillys anyday of the week

Personally, I love the comments from people like wetmorepsu12 up above, talking about all the regression that will hit the Nats and mentioning none of it in regards to the Phillies. “If Utley is healthy?” He hasn’t been in 4 years, and next year will be his age 34 season. “If Howard is healthy?” He’s been reduced to a platoon 1b with a $25M/year contract. How about a regression for Ruiz, who slugged almost 100 pts higher than his career best?

It goes both ways.

By: buzzjunior42

buzzjunior42 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 12:37:10 +0000

It’s funny seeing so many idiotic comments from bitter Philly fans. Being a DC fan, anytime I hear the word “choke” come out the mouth of any Philly sports fan I chuckle. It was a gut wrenching loss, but one they gained experience. I know nothing is guaranteed, but I will take this young roster over Phillys anyday of the week. Plus a strong farm system to boot…anyone who says the Nats had a disappointing year is nuts!! Great season Nats. Can’t wait til the 2013 season.

By: blacksables

blacksables — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 12:19:37 +0000

How about that choke job by Molina? Drawing a walk with 2 outs in the 9th inning of the most important game they played all year.

Says choke artist to me.

By: willclarkgameface

willclarkgameface — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 11:48:49 +0000

Eat my shorts, Rizzo.
Eat my shorts.

This league is all about staying healthy over the 162. Can Morse do it next year? How about Werth? Is Bryce REALLY going to get better? What if the kid has hit his mark in the big leagues and he never fulfills his expectations? Mike Trout laughed when Harper was on the cover of SI – JINX MODE!

This is what happens when you take things for granted, thinking you can just win because being short only one man isn’t the whole team, right Riz?

FOOL.

By: husky2score

husky2score — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 11:46:22 +0000

Great job Matt for finally realizing a team that had a decent and surprising year. O’s and A’s are next right?

By: dondada10

dondada10 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 11:30:24 +0000

Especially with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley entering their prime years.

By: haligert

haligert — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 11:16:01 +0000

Every season is “up for grabs”…sure on “paper” some teams wll look the best, but what it comes down to is staying healthy and “mentally tough” for 162+ games. (and yes, getting “hot” at the end of the season along with “lady luck” by your team’s side can only help too)

By: db105

db105 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 10:12:15 +0000

Agree. Not the best teams but are teams that get hot and lucky at the same time. Nothing wrong with that.

By: mattw70

mattw70 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:51:47 +0000

How can you have the best record over 162 games and be over-rated? And never heard anyone say they were bestowed the championship. Strange comment.

By: yousuxxors

yousuxxors — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 08:56:06 +0000

cardinal baseball is like giants football

By: btwicey

btwicey — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 08:19:05 +0000

Sailcat54 … Worst.comment.ever

By: creek0512

creek0512 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 08:18:34 +0000

I hope the Nationals miss the playoffs for the next decade after their arrogance with Strasbourg. First time ever in the playoffs and they refuse to use their best player, as if they are guaranteed to make the playoffs again. That decision tells you everything you need to know about that organization. They deserved this defeat for insulting and not respecting the game.

By: dcfan4life

dcfan4life — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 07:19:45 +0000

I have no idea where anything you said came from. The Nats never expected anything. They fought to get where they were, with the Braves never going away, a late push by the Phils, all the controversy behind shutting down Strasburg, and then pushing the defending champs to the brink. No team in Washington EVER expects anything. Ever. Period. Asshole.

By: kelshannon19

kelshannon19 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 06:49:56 +0000

Keep kickin the Stros while they’re down…

By: craigmaitland

craigmaitland — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 06:48:20 +0000

What happens if next yr Strasburg actually gets hurt, or Gio gets hurt, or Harper? All the pieces were healthy and in place this year. You don’t just throw away those chances.

By: creek0512

creek0512 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 06:41:40 +0000

Nationals did not choke, they were beaten by the Cardinals.