This comes down to which set of young talent handles their respective pressure better: the potential expectation of a win with the Bucks leading the division (!) and their ace on the mound at home versus the chips-on-their-shoulders Nats wanting to show their recent upward trajectory isn't a fluke.
Great work overall Mark.. One the days that you are not here, have you considered any AI automation solution to recap the game. I think it would be a good way to supplement your work.
NO, you can read an AI type from AP on many sites, but what is always missing is the feel of the game. It is just a laying out of facts not capturing the roller-coaster feelings each game features.
As an alternative, I would suggest a student studying journalism from a school such as Maryland's Merrill School. I have seen them take an entire class to a ballgame to cover it as graded project. That is a win-win.
We are underway on a gorgeous, 79-degree Monday evening at PNC Park. For those who haven't seen it, I've got a full article with injury updates on Ken Waldichuk (not good) and Cole Henry (doesn't appear to be serious) and an explanation what Mitchell Parker is doing here: https://natsjournal.com/p/second-tommy-john-surgery-recommended
Well, that was an eventful top of the first. The bad news: Skenes struck out Wood, Garcia and Lile. The good news: He gave up a homer to Abrams in the middle of all that. CJ had already turned on an inside curveball and hooked it just foul, but with plenty of distance. He then got a 99.5-mph fastball over the plate and demolished it to right for his fifth homer of the young season. Impressive.
painful to watch every time despite his attempt at taking accountability. It’s small stuff like that which makes me nervous about a long-term extension with other parts of his game that still needs to develop.
I thought the same thing. But here's where I would push back against the school of thought that says to always wait for a late-inning, high-leverage situation for challenges. If you as a catcher need to get your guy a strike, go get him a strike.
Yeah, it's been spotty. MLB.tv still has it.
Sputtering and freezing on and off. Kolko/Frandsen apologized for it but it's happened a couple of times since.
Real test for Cade to better manage pitch count and limit high pressure innings
Have the Nats ever faced Skenes?
I believe only once, almost exactly a year ago on April 14, 2025.
6IP, 3H, 2R, 1ER, 0BB, 6SO
Got the win. Final score 10-3
Thanks for the 60 sec pause before publishing! Darn feed delays!
This comes down to which set of young talent handles their respective pressure better: the potential expectation of a win with the Bucks leading the division (!) and their ace on the mound at home versus the chips-on-their-shoulders Nats wanting to show their recent upward trajectory isn't a fluke.
Great work overall Mark.. One the days that you are not here, have you considered any AI automation solution to recap the game. I think it would be a good way to supplement your work.
NO, you can read an AI type from AP on many sites, but what is always missing is the feel of the game. It is just a laying out of facts not capturing the roller-coaster feelings each game features.
Did you see where I said "On the days you are not here"..... and "supplement"
Yes, but those AI articles exist already. Most of us are here simply to read Marks take not a computer version.
And yes, I am very anti-AI, it replaces human emotions in news articles.
As an alternative, I would suggest a student studying journalism from a school such as Maryland's Merrill School. I have seen them take an entire class to a ballgame to cover it as graded project. That is a win-win.
I definitely think this as a good idea.. Internships are great way to learn skills.
Customer saying what the journalist should do. Families saying to the teachers how to teach the children. Please, stop
What a pitty of comment :)
I agree but it was funny. Wasn't it..
Skenes is a super tough pitcher. Eek.
Mark, why is Parker on the taxi squad? Thanks.
We are underway on a gorgeous, 79-degree Monday evening at PNC Park. For those who haven't seen it, I've got a full article with injury updates on Ken Waldichuk (not good) and Cole Henry (doesn't appear to be serious) and an explanation what Mitchell Parker is doing here: https://natsjournal.com/p/second-tommy-john-surgery-recommended
Holy Cow CJ
Well, that was an eventful top of the first. The bad news: Skenes struck out Wood, Garcia and Lile. The good news: He gave up a homer to Abrams in the middle of all that. CJ had already turned on an inside curveball and hooked it just foul, but with plenty of distance. He then got a 99.5-mph fastball over the plate and demolished it to right for his fifth homer of the young season. Impressive.
CJ getting a quick start on his POW award
CJ: It won’t happen again
*rocks one*
CJ: 👀
Once a gawker, always a gawker, I guess.
painful to watch every time despite his attempt at taking accountability. It’s small stuff like that which makes me nervous about a long-term extension with other parts of his game that still needs to develop.
Both pitchers needed a batch of pitchs to get through the 1st.
Not what we wanted
I think he’s hurt 😬
I hope not but something is off
I think Keibert is a bit gun-shy with his challenges. That 3-1 pitch to Davis looked good.
I thought the same thing. But here's where I would push back against the school of thought that says to always wait for a late-inning, high-leverage situation for challenges. If you as a catcher need to get your guy a strike, go get him a strike.
No doubt, but I think because he's missed on so many lately, he's wary about possibly being wrong and burning one early.
Cade not helping himself at all here.