That's what I was thinking, too. If he can back up House the way he does CJ and Luis, that affords Butera more opportunity to "mix and match", which I think we are going to see much more of than we ever have. It also gives Nuñez more at-bats, more chances to get on base and cause havoc. It is going to be very, very interesting to see how this all plays out.
I agree with that. He can play short well so he should be able to handle the hot corner. I think they are just trying to get him out there in games that don't matter so he isn't thrown in cold when it does. The only other infielder that has 3B experience and a chance to make the OD roster is Chaparro and that would be an emergency backup plan only. If House is your everyday guy, you'd like someone who can give him an occasional spell and this points even more to Nunez heading north with team.
Agree. I also think whatever the opening day positioning is will not be set in stone. I think this coaching group will flex and revise relatively frequently until they feel they have an optimum line up. I would suspect that by quarter way through the season Nunez is playing 2B full time and Garcia will be 1B
I don't know where you are, but I feel your pain, especially if your weather is lousy. The weather here in Northern Virginia has been too often drizzly and foggy (intense fog!) this week, making Florida seem like heaven. However, we may hit 80 here next week, before we go back to the 50s - crazy spring weather!
Fingers crossed for your fruit trees! No more freezing, for you or us. (I couldn't move my car for 2 1/2 weeks last month, due to it being trapped in the "snowcrete" that the snow/ice storm/polar air produced!)
My wife is an Orioles fan, so we've been in Sarasota the whole week. Saw a Pirates/Rays game on Monday, then 3 O's losses (Tue., Wed., and today). Weather has been stupendous. Headed back to NoVA tomorrow.
The Nats may not have a record any better this year than last, but the vibe is very different. As last year played out, it became evident that rebuild 1.0 was crashing and burning after years of hopeful optimism. This rebuild 2.0 is a fresh start with much enthusiasm that better years are really on their way as we watch these players develop.
Clean baseball is what I'm wishing for. Solid effort, no lollygagging. Better defense than what we saw from the boys today. Improvement from the players we think can grab another gear.
Agree on the better vibes this season. Hoping for at least a .500 season from this team — I believe they can do it. For today, hoping to see some production at the plate from Wood and Crews.
It’s ambicious but why not? Last year with similar players we were talking about giving that step. I’m more for a 75 team cause of the pitching and the inexperience
Love the optimism but the pitching depth is the weakest we've seen in a generation. If Sykora and Susana weren't out for the year, and Herz had another year of development (instead of being in recovery mode from his own arm surgery until at least mid-season), and Gore was still around, then they could've been in a position to make '26 a lot more interesting.
But Griffin and Mikolas, and a recovering Gray, and Irvin and Parker coming off terrible years, and zero proven arms in the bullpen. . . that's a lot of hope!
I’m happy with DH being a “who needs a glove break for a day” and if Nuñez can be that for the INF then it helps him be the electric presence he is and keep working on his bat
So intrigued by the beerman hawking his “really, really, really coooold” beer loud enough to be heard on the radio cast for two weeks now. How cold are we talking? Anybody been to one of these games who can attest?
Really good start to Cade Cavalli's afternoon. He went six up, six down and struck out four. Things got a little hairy in the bottom of the third, though that was the result of three groundballs (two of them bunts) that weren't fielded cleanly. The Astros got one run out of it, but that's all. Cavalli has thrown 39 pitches (25 strikes) with a fastball that has averaged 97 mph and topped out at 99 mph.
But wait, Cavalli wasn't done. He came back out for the fourth and retired the side again with two more strikeouts. So that's four innings on 51 pitches (33 strikes), allowing one unearned run and striking out six. And he did that against a pretty representative Astros lineup today. Impressive.
What is the rationale for Nunez at third?
Utility player check?
That's what I was thinking, too. If he can back up House the way he does CJ and Luis, that affords Butera more opportunity to "mix and match", which I think we are going to see much more of than we ever have. It also gives Nuñez more at-bats, more chances to get on base and cause havoc. It is going to be very, very interesting to see how this all plays out.
I agree with that. He can play short well so he should be able to handle the hot corner. I think they are just trying to get him out there in games that don't matter so he isn't thrown in cold when it does. The only other infielder that has 3B experience and a chance to make the OD roster is Chaparro and that would be an emergency backup plan only. If House is your everyday guy, you'd like someone who can give him an occasional spell and this points even more to Nunez heading north with team.
Agree. I also think whatever the opening day positioning is will not be set in stone. I think this coaching group will flex and revise relatively frequently until they feel they have an optimum line up. I would suspect that by quarter way through the season Nunez is playing 2B full time and Garcia will be 1B
Yes, and it leaves Tena at triple A and the UTL role for Nasim. Unless García is going to be regular at 1B. What is kind of un probably now
My last ST game this afternoon. It's been a great week with fabulous weather.
Interesting line up. Really enjoy these line up shuffles as we've been able to see players in multiple roles.
Cavalli seems lined up for the opener. After all his travails, go figure.
I'm grrr, uh, grrrr, sooo happy for you down there.
I don't know where you are, but I feel your pain, especially if your weather is lousy. The weather here in Northern Virginia has been too often drizzly and foggy (intense fog!) this week, making Florida seem like heaven. However, we may hit 80 here next week, before we go back to the 50s - crazy spring weather!
Hopefuly we don't go back to freezing. This warmish spell after all those freeze hours in Jan-Feb is going to cause all my fruit trees to bloom.
Fingers crossed for your fruit trees! No more freezing, for you or us. (I couldn't move my car for 2 1/2 weeks last month, due to it being trapped in the "snowcrete" that the snow/ice storm/polar air produced!)
My wife is an Orioles fan, so we've been in Sarasota the whole week. Saw a Pirates/Rays game on Monday, then 3 O's losses (Tue., Wed., and today). Weather has been stupendous. Headed back to NoVA tomorrow.
We'll do West Palm Beach next year.
I think this ST has gotten me a tad excited about the upcoming season!
⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
Oh, me, too!!
The Nats may not have a record any better this year than last, but the vibe is very different. As last year played out, it became evident that rebuild 1.0 was crashing and burning after years of hopeful optimism. This rebuild 2.0 is a fresh start with much enthusiasm that better years are really on their way as we watch these players develop.
This year just hoping for a competitive team that improves on last year.
Clean baseball is what I'm wishing for. Solid effort, no lollygagging. Better defense than what we saw from the boys today. Improvement from the players we think can grab another gear.
Agree on the better vibes this season. Hoping for at least a .500 season from this team — I believe they can do it. For today, hoping to see some production at the plate from Wood and Crews.
It’s ambicious but why not? Last year with similar players we were talking about giving that step. I’m more for a 75 team cause of the pitching and the inexperience
Love the optimism but the pitching depth is the weakest we've seen in a generation. If Sykora and Susana weren't out for the year, and Herz had another year of development (instead of being in recovery mode from his own arm surgery until at least mid-season), and Gore was still around, then they could've been in a position to make '26 a lot more interesting.
But Griffin and Mikolas, and a recovering Gray, and Irvin and Parker coming off terrible years, and zero proven arms in the bullpen. . . that's a lot of hope!
I do wish the Nats would televise more Spring Training. With Nationals. TV you would think it would be easy to do.
I’m happy with DH being a “who needs a glove break for a day” and if Nuñez can be that for the INF then it helps him be the electric presence he is and keep working on his bat
In case no one else posted this, there's pressbox video.
https://www.mlb.com/astros/video/spring-training-hou-wsh-194631?t=t117-default-vtp
THANK YOU!!!!!
Thank you. How do I find this (on other days without a link)?
Check the website of the teams (Astros and Mets have done this) and look for a "watch live" link or something like that.
In case you are not watching, Harry Ford got a hit for Great Britain in the first inning. Looked good going from 1B to 3B on a base hit.
So intrigued by the beerman hawking his “really, really, really coooold” beer loud enough to be heard on the radio cast for two weeks now. How cold are we talking? Anybody been to one of these games who can attest?
Worked my section all week. He's a showman.
And, yup, the beer's cold.
Really good start to Cade Cavalli's afternoon. He went six up, six down and struck out four. Things got a little hairy in the bottom of the third, though that was the result of three groundballs (two of them bunts) that weren't fielded cleanly. The Astros got one run out of it, but that's all. Cavalli has thrown 39 pitches (25 strikes) with a fastball that has averaged 97 mph and topped out at 99 mph.
I'm guessing Cavalli is Butera's Opening Day pitcher.
But wait, Cavalli wasn't done. He came back out for the fourth and retired the side again with two more strikeouts. So that's four innings on 51 pitches (33 strikes), allowing one unearned run and striking out six. And he did that against a pretty representative Astros lineup today. Impressive.
Alright Daylen Lile!
Harry Ford ties it with a solo shot! 2-2 with a walk on the day.
Live from Section 110, folks.
The Bad News Bears have arrived.
But nice effort from Cade.