The Nats launched their own fireworks in Friday night's 9-5 win over visiting Pittsburgh. Mark & Al discuss the Nationals five homer effort in the victory that puts the team at three games above .500 entering July 4th. (05:30) Luis Garcia Jr. homered twic
This has been discussed to death already, but I need to mention again why solid starting pitching often ends at 5 innings. Had Griffen pitched one more inning maybe there wouldn’t be a need for Kent and all the unnecessary drama. I can’t take the garbage from the bullpen. Stop with the analytics and let starters pitch longer. And yes, it might mean a complete game or two.
Had Griffen’s pitch count been in the 70s, he may have entered the 6th inning. With the high temperatures, I understand why he was taken out after five innings.
Ok, then be prepared to get a complete game and then lose the pitcher for a month or more while they recover from dead arm or worse. You can't expect a guy that had several high stress innings during a heat advisory to keep pitching when his pitch count is already at 100.
Fair point about abnormal heat. But what about the numerous other games in normal weather conditions when good pitchers are pulled after 5 or 6 innings? Always taking the risk of bums from the bullpen.
Or take the risk that the starter falls apart becuase they don't have any more tricks in the bag against the top of other teams order. There is a lot more that goes into it than, oh he is at 5 or 6 innings lets pull him. Mark has reported on this before that before every game they go through dozens of scenarios of who is facing who in what inning and what the game situation is and who they want to put in to think they have the best chance of success. You remember the times that didn't work out, but remember that its worked out enough times that we are 46-43 when most people expected us to be closer to 33-56 at this point in the season.
This has been discussed to death already, but I need to mention again why solid starting pitching often ends at 5 innings. Had Griffen pitched one more inning maybe there wouldn’t be a need for Kent and all the unnecessary drama. I can’t take the garbage from the bullpen. Stop with the analytics and let starters pitch longer. And yes, it might mean a complete game or two.
Had Griffen’s pitch count been in the 70s, he may have entered the 6th inning. With the high temperatures, I understand why he was taken out after five innings.
He was also tossed over 100 pitches his last two starts and with the heat that was enough.
Ok, then be prepared to get a complete game and then lose the pitcher for a month or more while they recover from dead arm or worse. You can't expect a guy that had several high stress innings during a heat advisory to keep pitching when his pitch count is already at 100.
Fair point about abnormal heat. But what about the numerous other games in normal weather conditions when good pitchers are pulled after 5 or 6 innings? Always taking the risk of bums from the bullpen.
Or take the risk that the starter falls apart becuase they don't have any more tricks in the bag against the top of other teams order. There is a lot more that goes into it than, oh he is at 5 or 6 innings lets pull him. Mark has reported on this before that before every game they go through dozens of scenarios of who is facing who in what inning and what the game situation is and who they want to put in to think they have the best chance of success. You remember the times that didn't work out, but remember that its worked out enough times that we are 46-43 when most people expected us to be closer to 33-56 at this point in the season.
Great dialog, Mark and Al
Amidst all the talk about Cade's words, Contreras's behavior and the player suspensions, Al makes a great point re: "the fight":
Not a single punch was thrown