Lovelady starts??? And Miami leads off with the guy who blasted one of his pitches yesterday? Wow, this I gotta see! I would love to know what the betting odds are for that:))
So, you are willing to get both your opener AND the manager TOSSED in the first inning, huh? Not to mention James Wood probably getting similar treatment in the bottom half. You & Dave need to use the "/s" if that applies here. Maybe I'm over-reacting but not funny, guys.
Back then it was acceptable if the batter was leaning out over the strike zone to protect against outside pitches. It was never acceptable just because a guy hit a homer the day before unless he was grandstanding and showing up the pitcher.
Also, by definition, to "buzz" someone was, in fact, to throw at his head -- to "buzz the tower", as the aviators say.
Wish Blake would flip Dylan and James in the field (simply for James’ comfort), but since I’m not a front runner for manager of the year I have no real standing to complain too much about it…
Also got me wondering. Wonder what the most times a team has used an opener in a season? It used to be a much more isolated occurrence. The Nats use an opener 2-3 times in a week.
"Depending on the exact definition of an "opener game" (different analysts count them slightly differently), the 2019 Rays used an opener in roughly 50–60 games, with most modern sources citing 57 opener games. That surpassed even their own groundbreaking 2018 club, which popularized the strategy after first using Sergio Romo as an opener in May 2018."
I like using it when:1) something that I may think is common knowledge and I’m too lazy to look up the sources or 2) AI or ChatGPT can express my idea in a clearer way. I once posted “ Per AI” and I got ripped a new “ you know what”.
Yep, I used it earlier today to help me figure out the exact historical record between the Fish and Nats and then to see if they had a better record against any other club. Just didn’t feel like looking it all up. 😂
I’m a big fan, as long as you realize it’s not always accurate and don’t allow it to think for you. Folks didn’t like word processors in the early days either, but it sure made typing a lot easier. Have to roll with the technology and learn to use it successfully.
I am giving the advantage to Lovelady, thinking he won't fall behind in the count as much as last night. Then he is outta there. The worst is the Nats make up a 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the 1st!
He signed as a free agent coach. A couple former o's also signed as free agents with the Nats: Cionel Pérez, Jorge López, Nelson Cruz, Matt Wieters, and Spenser Watkins.
One night after throwing 14 pitches in a high-leverage spot in the 6th, Richard Lovelady threw a season-high 41 pitches as the Nationals' opener. He walked the bases loaded in the 2nd, then struck out Joe Mack to escape the jam.
Lucky to get out of that. Sure looks like he is back to what led him to be DFAed so often. Just like Weimer he gave us some much needed and unexpected production.
Dodged a huge bullet there. Question - if a guy has reverse splits like Lovelady, why does the manager let the guy pitch to a lefty, against the analytics?
Lovelady starts??? And Miami leads off with the guy who blasted one of his pitches yesterday? Wow, this I gotta see! I would love to know what the betting odds are for that:))
Put one in his ear! 😂
As an ex pitcher through my college years (ASU) that is exactly what I would have done:))
So, you are willing to get both your opener AND the manager TOSSED in the first inning, huh? Not to mention James Wood probably getting similar treatment in the bottom half. You & Dave need to use the "/s" if that applies here. Maybe I'm over-reacting but not funny, guys.
Peter pitched in the late 60s/early 70s when such boorish behavior was permissible. I say we give him a pass on this one! 🤣
Pass permitted! No boorish behavior allowed LOL.
Back then coaches told pitchers when to "buzz" a hitter, it was a normal part of the game. But nobody threw at the hitter's head.
Back then it was acceptable if the batter was leaning out over the strike zone to protect against outside pitches. It was never acceptable just because a guy hit a homer the day before unless he was grandstanding and showing up the pitcher.
Also, by definition, to "buzz" someone was, in fact, to throw at his head -- to "buzz the tower", as the aviators say.
So... Yeah. Bad juju. 😉
I was not serious.
Old school, that. LaRussa... ;-)
Wish Blake would flip Dylan and James in the field (simply for James’ comfort), but since I’m not a front runner for manager of the year I have no real standing to complain too much about it…
Agreed. Crews seems like he could play any fields without issue. Wood looks uncomfortable in LF.
I agree with you 100 💯 percent. But two coaching staffs now have done it like this, with both leaving me to scratch my head. 😂
Lovelady? Yikes.
Also got me wondering. Wonder what the most times a team has used an opener in a season? It used to be a much more isolated occurrence. The Nats use an opener 2-3 times in a week.
According to ChatGPT:
"Depending on the exact definition of an "opener game" (different analysts count them slightly differently), the 2019 Rays used an opener in roughly 50–60 games, with most modern sources citing 57 opener games. That surpassed even their own groundbreaking 2018 club, which popularized the strategy after first using Sergio Romo as an opener in May 2018."
Nats have done it 11 times in 61 games this year.
Thanks for that.
Interesting. I do vaguely recall that strategy with the Rays now, although had no clue on the numbers.
Seems like there was a manager who did it in the playoffs a number of years ago. Dusty? Maddon?
Probably more than I'm remembering.
Be careful. There are some posters here who don’t like AI or ChatGPT :D
Oh I don’t care much for it, either, but occasionally it’s useful.
I like using it when:1) something that I may think is common knowledge and I’m too lazy to look up the sources or 2) AI or ChatGPT can express my idea in a clearer way. I once posted “ Per AI” and I got ripped a new “ you know what”.
Yeah, laziness is probably when I use it most. 😄
Yep, I used it earlier today to help me figure out the exact historical record between the Fish and Nats and then to see if they had a better record against any other club. Just didn’t feel like looking it all up. 😂
I’m a big fan, as long as you realize it’s not always accurate and don’t allow it to think for you. Folks didn’t like word processors in the early days either, but it sure made typing a lot easier. Have to roll with the technology and learn to use it successfully.
I am giving the advantage to Lovelady, thinking he won't fall behind in the count as much as last night. Then he is outta there. The worst is the Nats make up a 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the 1st!
Mostly I just want a CURLY W tonight!
GO NATS!!
The 2nd inning was a blast, yeah? Dear Mr. Lovelady, that will be enough for tonight. Whew! That close...
If Toboni does any work at the trade deadline, the focus needs to be on getting better starting pitchers. Lovelady being the opener is uninspiring.
I agree!! I left a comment on that in a previous article. I recommended they try to snatch Sandy Alcontera from the Fish.
An in-division trade? I don’t know about that.
It happens
The Nats have made a trade with every MLB team, EXCEPT the o's!
Yeah but we got their hitting coach which is turning out to be a real steal
Sure is!!
He signed as a free agent coach. A couple former o's also signed as free agents with the Nats: Cionel Pérez, Jorge López, Nelson Cruz, Matt Wieters, and Spenser Watkins.
love it
I let them have Nunez back for Alcontera.
oh yeah!!
“Opener and Bulk Reliever” LOL
Sounds like two Costco employees on the night shift.
Sounds like the tag line for an especially powerful laxative
Miles Mikolas has been pitching well lately. This seems to be the coaching staff being a little too cute. Hoping it works out well.
We are underway on an un-June-like, 75-degree Tuesday evening in D.C.
Already better than last night for Lovelady
Two nice defensive plays, Mead and C.J.
They made those plays look so easy, when that is the opposite of reality!
Flashin' some leather in THAT inning! Great start.
I’m like Rizzo (and a lot of others). I hate a pitcher throwing walks! Get him out of there.
Rizzo: I don’t care how fast you throw ball four.
Boy....Blake Butera has WAY more trust in Lovelady than I do..........said second inning 2 on 1 out
That inning and Lovelady's performance had a Rafael Soriano kind of "feel" to it......whewwwww......that was walking the tight rope there!
One night after throwing 14 pitches in a high-leverage spot in the 6th, Richard Lovelady threw a season-high 41 pitches as the Nationals' opener. He walked the bases loaded in the 2nd, then struck out Joe Mack to escape the jam.
Lucky to get out of that. Sure looks like he is back to what led him to be DFAed so often. Just like Weimer he gave us some much needed and unexpected production.
It wasn't pretty but Lovelady got out of it somehow.
Exhale!
Dodged a huge bullet there. Question - if a guy has reverse splits like Lovelady, why does the manager let the guy pitch to a lefty, against the analytics?
Better than bringing in a righty to face him.
Not according to "the stats"...maybe wanted to give Mikolas a clean inning to start out.
Guess he wanted to give him a chance to get out of. And it was indeed chancy.