I’d reward Lile by batting him third or fourth. It would mean a lot to him, and I think he deserves it even if he is facing a southpaw. I think putting Chappy third and Crews cleanup will make them grip the bat too tight.
I’m expecting Blake to wait for the exact right time to Unleash the Fury (i.e. pinch hit CJ) if the Nats need it! Knock wood (no pun intended) it won’t be needed and CJ gets the entire day off!
Who else tries to guess the line up before Mark writes his pre game story?
I actually thought this was a good day to give CJ a breather. Emotional high on Monday night followed by a few swings chasing pitches on Tuesday. He deserves a mental & physical break. What a great run he has been on!
"He deserves a mental & physical break." Absolutely, as he's recently made a few almost-costly errors in the field, too. This "breather" really is well-timed.
Giants swing at some really interesting pitches. If Griffin can keep his pitch count down I think he may do well. Twice in that inning they swung at pitches almost in the dirt and got a hit off one of them.
Wow - Crews hitting clean up?
I’d reward Lile by batting him third or fourth. It would mean a lot to him, and I think he deserves it even if he is facing a southpaw. I think putting Chappy third and Crews cleanup will make them grip the bat too tight.
Chaparo hitting 3rd? Not good enough for that spot.
Agreed
A rare Chaparro sighting. I’m looking for good things from the righties at the top of the lineup.
Don't use the "S" word. It's a jinx! 🙃
You mean that thing that brooms do? That "S" word? LOL
I’m expecting Blake to wait for the exact right time to Unleash the Fury (i.e. pinch hit CJ) if the Nats need it! Knock wood (no pun intended) it won’t be needed and CJ gets the entire day off!
Who else tries to guess the line up before Mark writes his pre game story?
I actually thought this was a good day to give CJ a breather. Emotional high on Monday night followed by a few swings chasing pitches on Tuesday. He deserves a mental & physical break. What a great run he has been on!
If it's a tight game, we might well see CJ as a pinch hitter.
"He deserves a mental & physical break." Absolutely, as he's recently made a few almost-costly errors in the field, too. This "breather" really is well-timed.
I like the Grateful Dead allusion in the first paragraph. Cultural context: nice!
The series finale is underway on a picture-perfect, 72-degree Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco.
Oracle park can be a lot different for a day game than a night game. Balls usually carry much better during the day.
When was the last time a nats starter was 7-2?
Maybe Max?
AI said Max and Joe Ross in 2021 but not sure I believe Ross
Definitely not Ross. About this time in June '21 he was 4-7.
I recall Stras had that one great W-L % year. 2015?
Max finished 8-4 for us before he was traded but ultimately it was a rhetorical question. Ross was 5-9 in 2021, and he is still pitching somewhere.
2017, Strasburg.
Max got to 10-1 in 2018.
24 pitches for Griffin in the first. Only faced four batters, but the Giants fouled off a bunch of pitches to extend at-bats.
Griffin at 42 pitches after 2. Not terrible but hope some efficient innings coming.
Really nice tribute to Bryce E. It’s really a shame he’s not a NAT.
Yes, I thought so too.
Giants swing at some really interesting pitches. If Griffin can keep his pitch count down I think he may do well. Twice in that inning they swung at pitches almost in the dirt and got a hit off one of them.
Good time for Wood to put one in McCovey Cove.
I'm OK with left center. 😏
Wood!!!!!
Another 2-0.
James Wood. 2-run opposite-field homer off a lefty. Nats lead 2-0. Ho hum.