NatsChat discussion this AM of what a great bounceback win yesterday was after heartbreak loss Friday reminded me it is the second time this week the team has focused on the most important game (the next one) after a killer loss: remember the big comeback 9-6 win Tuesday (the Wood inside the park grand slam win), not only after being down 5-0 after 1 1/2 but after brutal 16-7 loss in 12 the night before! Scrappy Nats indeed! Let’s win this one for Jake!
Yes, he was my favorite player at the time, but his actions and words while with L.A. kind of put him in a different light. Fantastic in the 2019 postseason and regular season.
Rendon's words while he was here were a little odd too. Remember him telling reporters that baseball is "boring"? In the 2019 victory parade, I think he was the only team member to ride in his own trolley with no other teammates with him. I never saw anything about that, but I've always been curious if he didn't get along with his teammates.
In unrelated Rochester news Jackson Kent, a great baseball name, made his first AAA start. He pitched 5 innings, no earned runs. He is a 23 year old lefty who was a 2024 4th round draft pick. He went to college in Arizona. Depending on where you look, he's our 15th ranked prospect and we may see him next year if they play baseball next year. Seaver King had 2 more hits and 4 RBI last night. He is hitting .368 with a 1.014 ops in his brief time at Rochester (19 AB) but anyone who was giving up on him last year may want to rethink their position.
Any senses for who might take Irvin’s place? As I see it, the possibilities are:
1. Stretch out Brad Lord (he’s been great but maybe too valuable in his current role, given all the 5-inning starters on the team)
2. Stretch out Andrew Alvarez (he was a starter at Rochester; his big league numbers, oddly, have been much better than his AAA numbers both last year and this year, so will that last?)
3. Call up Luis Perales (he’s the #8 prospect and has a 3.31 ERA in eight or nine AAA starts; however, he’s only pitched 35 innings in 9 games; he had TJ surgery in 2024, so it looks like they’re being careful with him)
4. Call up Chandler Champlain (he’s been arguably Rochester’s best starter: 4-0, 2.82 ERA, 0.893 WHIP, but he’s 26, never been in the bigs, and isn’t on the 40-man roster)
I guess they could also stretch out Mitchell Parker, but he has a 5.25 ERA in DC and had a 6.o8 ERA is three AAA starts.
I really have grown fond of the “bulk starter” program and wish they would expand the idea ….. maybe we could use one or two of the names you’ve listed in that respect …
The problem with expanding the idea is the lack of arms... on any team, not just the Nats. Unless rosters expand to allow for more pitchers on a roster, the opener/bulk arm idea just isn't sustainable.
Roster construction is predicated on starters going as long as possible. Even in the current age when many starters are limited from going through a lineup a 3rd time there is the possibility of an efficient outing that lasts 6 or 7 innings. Maybe more. Thus fewer relievers are needed.
But if one expands the opener concept, you are locking yourself in to multiple days where you're guaranteed to use at least 2 arms. Bulk arms will need the same rest regimen as a standard starter, rendering them useless for 4 days. And that doesn't account for the fact that the bulk arm, like anyone else, could have an off day and not provide actual "bulk". Those multiple days of openers and the risk of using 4 or 5 arms in a game will have a cascading effect over weeks of use. You'd need more arms, not fewer, if you had multiple opener/bulk combos.
30 minutes to scheduled first pitch, but no sign of either starting pitcher on the field (which is fully prepped and uncovered). Storms in the forecast from 4-7 p.m. It's been totally dry throughout the traditional Sunday 1-4 p.m. window.
As you said in the write-up, there does not appear to be a logical reason for bypassing the usual 1-4 pm window. And now that may come back to haunt them.
Wonder if original scheduling made this an optional game-type startup as the NFL does toward the end of the season? Or maybe a holiday thing for Atlanta? Somebody in the Braves org must know.
I think the start time may be related to treating today like a Saturday instead of a Sunday because of the holiday. There’s a lot of other later start times around the league today, too. It doesn’t completely make sense because it’s still a travel day.
Foster Griffin has emerged to begin warming up only 15 minutes before scheduled first pitch. Braves are acting like the game will start on time, but clearly it won't.
And finally at 4:05 p.m., the Braves announce first pitch will be at 4:30 p.m. "barring any further changes in the weather." It hasn't rained yet this afternoon.
We are settled into our seats waiting here in Section 237. Have seen a few Nats jerseys. Big mistake holding off the first pitch. It’s supposedly gonna pour around 6 tonight.
Irvin 15 day IL is welcome news
NatsChat discussion this AM of what a great bounceback win yesterday was after heartbreak loss Friday reminded me it is the second time this week the team has focused on the most important game (the next one) after a killer loss: remember the big comeback 9-6 win Tuesday (the Wood inside the park grand slam win), not only after being down 5-0 after 1 1/2 but after brutal 16-7 loss in 12 the night before! Scrappy Nats indeed! Let’s win this one for Jake!
I remember at time when Anthony Rendon was listed as “day to day” …. Haha ….
You mean his entire tenure in LA
He gave us the best years of his baseball life and then fell off a cliff.
And they were some really good years!
Yes, he was my favorite player at the time, but his actions and words while with L.A. kind of put him in a different light. Fantastic in the 2019 postseason and regular season.
Rendon's words while he was here were a little odd too. Remember him telling reporters that baseball is "boring"? In the 2019 victory parade, I think he was the only team member to ride in his own trolley with no other teammates with him. I never saw anything about that, but I've always been curious if he didn't get along with his teammates.
Any time a deltoid muscle is involved it can be at least two weeks. Hopefully it is just mild and he can bounce back when he is ready to come back.
In the meantime, let's take the series with a CURLY W TODAY!! GO NATS!!
Since the Nationals had a moral victory Friday they go for the sweep 🧹 🧹🧹 today. ⚾️⚾️⚾️🙋🏼♀️
Moral Sweep! They lead the league in MOPS+
We will be there! Section 237, Row 4, Seats 19-22. Come down to say hi Mark!
In unrelated Rochester news Jackson Kent, a great baseball name, made his first AAA start. He pitched 5 innings, no earned runs. He is a 23 year old lefty who was a 2024 4th round draft pick. He went to college in Arizona. Depending on where you look, he's our 15th ranked prospect and we may see him next year if they play baseball next year. Seaver King had 2 more hits and 4 RBI last night. He is hitting .368 with a 1.014 ops in his brief time at Rochester (19 AB) but anyone who was giving up on him last year may want to rethink their position.
Mark,
Any senses for who might take Irvin’s place? As I see it, the possibilities are:
1. Stretch out Brad Lord (he’s been great but maybe too valuable in his current role, given all the 5-inning starters on the team)
2. Stretch out Andrew Alvarez (he was a starter at Rochester; his big league numbers, oddly, have been much better than his AAA numbers both last year and this year, so will that last?)
3. Call up Luis Perales (he’s the #8 prospect and has a 3.31 ERA in eight or nine AAA starts; however, he’s only pitched 35 innings in 9 games; he had TJ surgery in 2024, so it looks like they’re being careful with him)
4. Call up Chandler Champlain (he’s been arguably Rochester’s best starter: 4-0, 2.82 ERA, 0.893 WHIP, but he’s 26, never been in the bigs, and isn’t on the 40-man roster)
I guess they could also stretch out Mitchell Parker, but he has a 5.25 ERA in DC and had a 6.o8 ERA is three AAA starts.
What does everyone else think?
Mark seems to prefer Andrew Alvarez for this role - I am merely a Witness to the Process and will cheer for whomever Toboni chooseth to anoint
Champlain. Let's see if he's a prospect or suspect. Sorry. Couldn't resist the word play. Champlain! Ome on down!
Riley Cornelio, who the Nats named their 2025 Minor League Player of the Year, is an option too.
I really have grown fond of the “bulk starter” program and wish they would expand the idea ….. maybe we could use one or two of the names you’ve listed in that respect …
The problem with expanding the idea is the lack of arms... on any team, not just the Nats. Unless rosters expand to allow for more pitchers on a roster, the opener/bulk arm idea just isn't sustainable.
Thought that the relievers arms could be reduced by 3 or 4 … to compensate…
I would suggest the reverse is true.
Roster construction is predicated on starters going as long as possible. Even in the current age when many starters are limited from going through a lineup a 3rd time there is the possibility of an efficient outing that lasts 6 or 7 innings. Maybe more. Thus fewer relievers are needed.
But if one expands the opener concept, you are locking yourself in to multiple days where you're guaranteed to use at least 2 arms. Bulk arms will need the same rest regimen as a standard starter, rendering them useless for 4 days. And that doesn't account for the fact that the bulk arm, like anyone else, could have an off day and not provide actual "bulk". Those multiple days of openers and the risk of using 4 or 5 arms in a game will have a cascading effect over weeks of use. You'd need more arms, not fewer, if you had multiple opener/bulk combos.
That may be why there has been an occasional shuttle of relievers to and from Rochester.
I believe the Nats now have a 2-game winning streak when needing to reach .500. Make it three!
Is this the same Sandy Leon that played for the Nats many years ago,
Yes, but it's a young 37. He played Friday night, too.
30 minutes to scheduled first pitch, but no sign of either starting pitcher on the field (which is fully prepped and uncovered). Storms in the forecast from 4-7 p.m. It's been totally dry throughout the traditional Sunday 1-4 p.m. window.
As you said in the write-up, there does not appear to be a logical reason for bypassing the usual 1-4 pm window. And now that may come back to haunt them.
Absolutely!!
Wonder if original scheduling made this an optional game-type startup as the NFL does toward the end of the season? Or maybe a holiday thing for Atlanta? Somebody in the Braves org must know.
I think the start time may be related to treating today like a Saturday instead of a Sunday because of the holiday. There’s a lot of other later start times around the league today, too. It doesn’t completely make sense because it’s still a travel day.
Foster Griffin has emerged to begin warming up only 15 minutes before scheduled first pitch. Braves are acting like the game will start on time, but clearly it won't.
Looks like it’s starting on time. Great weather at the moment
jinx! lol
And finally at 4:05 p.m., the Braves announce first pitch will be at 4:30 p.m. "barring any further changes in the weather." It hasn't rained yet this afternoon.
TV view looks pretty ominous out toward the scoreboard. They way they phrase it doesn't look too promising, shall we say.
We are settled into our seats waiting here in Section 237. Have seen a few Nats jerseys. Big mistake holding off the first pitch. It’s supposedly gonna pour around 6 tonight.
Wish you luck, my friend.
Very likely this game will have to be made up and rescheduled.
We are finally underway at 4:32 p.m. on a Sunday in Unincorporated Atlanta, where it's 79 degrees and there hasn't been a drop of rain since noon.
Nice quality AB by J-Dub erased by Mead's DP.