FWIW, Matthew Boyd (a lefty) has been announced as the Cubs OD starter. So likely we see an "opening day lineup" with several righty platoon players in it such as Chappy and potentially Franklin.
Mark, is there any update on their thinking with regard to Gray starting the season in the rotation or AAA? If they intend for him to start at the big league level, hard to see Irvin in the rotation.
I think he kind of addressed that in both articles today. Barring injury, Cavalli and Griffin are absolutely in. Littell is only a matter of whether his personal build up routine was good enough to have him ramped up for OD. Mikolas is likely in but can still play his way out, and as he just said in this article Irvin has a tenuous hold on the last spot. That kind of lends to the idea that Gray that is not in the lead for making the OD roster.
I guess I interpreted the Irvin article as he's potentially losing his grasp on the 5th starter job. To me it makes the most sense to give Gray a little ramp up time in AAA and see if Irvin can show anything early.
The start of the game has been delayed by rain. They don't typically wait around too long in spring training before postponing, but if it looks like it's going to clear out within an hour or so, they might be willing to wait in this case.
The most noteworthy thing so far tonight: C.B. Bucknor has had four pitches challenged through two innings, and all four were overturned. He might've had a couple more, too, had some other close pitches been challenged. I think one of the most intriguing aspects of ABS is that it's going to officially expose MLB's worst ball-strike callers. The question then becomes: Will there be any consequences for those umpires?
Issue the umpire the equivalent of a driving ticket for each blatant goof. After a dozen or so “tickets”, make them go to “school” to work off their “points”.
I’m pleased that the scrappy Nats keep finding ways to pull out ST games.
The concern about Crews’ bat is amplified by the context of the Nats’ abysmal first round draft picks over the last 15 years.
Since the great run of Strasburg, Harper and Rendon, the Nats’ first round picks have been so bad that even with his less than stellar start to his career Crews already is one of the team’s most productive first round draft prospects picks.
The Nats’ only first round picks with even a modicum of success are pitchers who had quality years elsewhere.
Nats first-round picks since Rendon by CAREER BWAR:
Giolito 14.4
Fedde 4.8
Dunning 3.7
Goodwin 1.4
Crews 0.9
Meyer 0.7
Cavalli -0.1
Romero -0.2
Rutledge -0.5
House -0.6
Kieboom -2.0
Mason Denaburg stalled in A ball, Elijah Green remains in A ball and Seaver King and Eli Willits are showing some promise.
Let’s hope Cavalli and Crews have good years and rocket up that meager leaders list.
A pretty good start for Jake Irvin, who struck out four over 3 1/3 innings totaling 51 pitches. But he was hurt by a couple of poorly placed offspeed pitches, including a slider that Carlos Correa absolutely destroyed to left for a homer.
Offensively ... it's been more of the same from a Nats lineup that just hasn't gotten hot yet this spring.
And then on cue, Andres Chaparro blasted a homer off a lefty reliever. Prediction: He starts Opening Day at first base, with the Cubs announcing left-hander Matthew Boyd will be on the mound.
FWIW, Matthew Boyd (a lefty) has been announced as the Cubs OD starter. So likely we see an "opening day lineup" with several righty platoon players in it such as Chappy and potentially Franklin.
I’m thinking we get snowed out in Chicago, but I’m not a bitter and twisted old man!
I don’t know how these guys go from Florida/Arizona to Chicago/Colorado/Minnesota,etc. Kind of like living in DC these last 2 or 3 days.
Mark, is there any update on their thinking with regard to Gray starting the season in the rotation or AAA? If they intend for him to start at the big league level, hard to see Irvin in the rotation.
I think he kind of addressed that in both articles today. Barring injury, Cavalli and Griffin are absolutely in. Littell is only a matter of whether his personal build up routine was good enough to have him ramped up for OD. Mikolas is likely in but can still play his way out, and as he just said in this article Irvin has a tenuous hold on the last spot. That kind of lends to the idea that Gray that is not in the lead for making the OD roster.
I guess I interpreted the Irvin article as he's potentially losing his grasp on the 5th starter job. To me it makes the most sense to give Gray a little ramp up time in AAA and see if Irvin can show anything early.
I agree. Time to get serious, not just for Irvin, but for some hitters as well.
GO NATS!! ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
Do we know yet when Ford will rejoin the team?
Pronto!
The start of the game has been delayed by rain. They don't typically wait around too long in spring training before postponing, but if it looks like it's going to clear out within an hour or so, they might be willing to wait in this case.
Went through Palatka earlier but rained off and on for a couple of hours
Weather delay
First pitch is now scheduled for 7:20 p.m.
Pregame show is on now, Astros MLB feed
Has Irvin’s two seamer always had this much movement? He looks like Tanner Roark out there
The most noteworthy thing so far tonight: C.B. Bucknor has had four pitches challenged through two innings, and all four were overturned. He might've had a couple more, too, had some other close pitches been challenged. I think one of the most intriguing aspects of ABS is that it's going to officially expose MLB's worst ball-strike callers. The question then becomes: Will there be any consequences for those umpires?
Some enterprising data journalist will have a report on that -- MLB should do something about the worst ones.
How soon does he go the way of Angel Hernandez?
Issue the umpire the equivalent of a driving ticket for each blatant goof. After a dozen or so “tickets”, make them go to “school” to work off their “points”.
Ah yes, he's one of the famous BLINKING CYCLOPS! NOW we have ROBO-UMPS!!
Should be held accountable
3K 2nd inning was very welcome for Jake
Spring training impressions: the pitching will be better; we are still gonna struggle to score runs
Other than House, virtually the whole starting line up is batting < .220.
With a good handful sub-.200.
Need to improve hard hit rates
I’m pleased that the scrappy Nats keep finding ways to pull out ST games.
The concern about Crews’ bat is amplified by the context of the Nats’ abysmal first round draft picks over the last 15 years.
Since the great run of Strasburg, Harper and Rendon, the Nats’ first round picks have been so bad that even with his less than stellar start to his career Crews already is one of the team’s most productive first round draft prospects picks.
The Nats’ only first round picks with even a modicum of success are pitchers who had quality years elsewhere.
Nats first-round picks since Rendon by CAREER BWAR:
Giolito 14.4
Fedde 4.8
Dunning 3.7
Goodwin 1.4
Crews 0.9
Meyer 0.7
Cavalli -0.1
Romero -0.2
Rutledge -0.5
House -0.6
Kieboom -2.0
Mason Denaburg stalled in A ball, Elijah Green remains in A ball and Seaver King and Eli Willits are showing some promise.
Let’s hope Cavalli and Crews have good years and rocket up that meager leaders list.
House **may** as well if he can cure his tendency to chase bad pitches too often.
Also sad is that the top 3 amassed most of that WAR for other teams.
A pretty good start for Jake Irvin, who struck out four over 3 1/3 innings totaling 51 pitches. But he was hurt by a couple of poorly placed offspeed pitches, including a slider that Carlos Correa absolutely destroyed to left for a homer.
Offensively ... it's been more of the same from a Nats lineup that just hasn't gotten hot yet this spring.
The Nationals hitting has been just like the last two days in DC first 80 and sunny then 35 and snow for hours that doesn't stick
Nice little dinger by Chaparro!⚾️
And then on cue, Andres Chaparro blasted a homer off a lefty reliever. Prediction: He starts Opening Day at first base, with the Cubs announcing left-hander Matthew Boyd will be on the mound.