This game was the worst-case scenario. Not only did they lose, but they burned up arms. Thankfully Ribalta was the only true high-leverage arm they used.
Can’t give the shoddy defense a pass. Going into game Nats had worst fielding percentage in baseball (I know that’s an imperfect marker at best). But defense was an issue today for sure…
Yes, the weak spots are Vivas and a very suspect bullpen. If the Nats are serious about the playoffs they must address those two issues. Also, need Lile to hit better.
We can complain about the bullpen all we want, pitching was not the issue today. MLB's top offense only scored 2 runs today. That's not enough to win. The average team scores 4.51 runs per game.
I'd be surprised with a C.J. trade you would have to give up a lot to get him at the deadline and if you trade him in the offseason more teams would be involved. I think they will trade Griffin and Garcia if they get a good return back.
I said "possibly" CJ. Someone in need of a hitter. Yanks, Brewers and Bosox (with Mead now injured) would surely welcome CJ and be willing to pay for him.
That would be "funny" to see CJ go to Boston right behind Mead. Not outside of the realm of possibility because of Toboni's connections to that Boston front office.
Games like this happen - little duck snorts by the Jays led to runs….that’s what they do - they get balls in play, rarely K with RISP - Nats could take a lesson from that approach.
Not feeling good about these next 8 games plus the looming trade deadline…..Braves are tough and they punish mistakes, poor pitching and fielding and bad approaches to AB’s with scoring chances - got a lot to clean up ***fast*** to even split this upcoming series….
Good news is no one in the NL (or the AL for that matter) wants the 5th and 6th playoff spots. It’s been a panoply of massive leads blown, bullpen meltdowns and errors - our old chum Kyle Finnegan blew up Skubal’s possibly last start for the Tigers this afternoon, just like the old days here….
It’s counterintuitive, but maybe being on the road again will help. They have overcome a lot of weaknesses to get this far, would be understandable but unfortunate if they start to fade at this point.
Why not pinch hit for Nunez? Crews and Ruiz were on the bench. His hitting has really fallen off. And as other commenters have said, Lyle is really in a bad way. I’m not sure I’d send him down, but I would drop Vivas and bring up Lipscomb. Though Lipscomb hasn’t looked great previously in the Bigs. 11 games under .500 at home?!?!
I was really pissed off after that loss. Now, after having reflected, I realized that the path forward this year is simple: sell any high-value assets. Griffin, Garcia, Young, anyone worth a penny - sans Wood, Abrams, Cavalli, Early, Ribalta, Yean (from the MLB roster). If they insist on trotting out Vivas every day and giving Tena high leverage ABs (despite it working today), they aren't gonna be playing any games in October as is. May as well get something in return.
Nats bullpen!
Petition to never play Jorbit Vivas EVER again.
Dude cost us this game with his inability to hit and two MASSIVE fielding blunders.
Gotta take at least 2 or 3 in Atlanta this weekend. Can’t wait to see Jake back.
Yeah, they need to get a middle IF from somewhere else and send Vivas packing - or PH for him anytime it’s an important AB with RISP.
Do miss Jake
This game was the worst-case scenario. Not only did they lose, but they burned up arms. Thankfully Ribalta was the only true high-leverage arm they used.
Sloppy defense today, too.
Oh well…on to Atlanta.
Can’t give the shoddy defense a pass. Going into game Nats had worst fielding percentage in baseball (I know that’s an imperfect marker at best). But defense was an issue today for sure…
The only person who gets a pass in my mind is Lile. His attempt at a sliding catch was high-difficulty.
But Nunez, Young, and Vivas all hurt the team in the field. Their screw-ups were basically where the final margin came from.
I tried to remind myself that the Jays almost won the World Series last year.
Yes, the weak spots are Vivas and a very suspect bullpen. If the Nats are serious about the playoffs they must address those two issues. Also, need Lile to hit better.
What does Jorbit Vivas bring to this team other than debilitating at-bats?
He’s awful with RISP and has poor stats overall. Why not give Trey Lipscomb a call? He plays 3B and 2nd.
I feel like Lile needs to be the next one sent down to work on his swing, he’s just not making enough good contact.
Anyway, bring on the Barves.
Lile might need some time off. He hasn't been hitting well in awhile.
We can complain about the bullpen all we want, pitching was not the issue today. MLB's top offense only scored 2 runs today. That's not enough to win. The average team scores 4.51 runs per game.
It was a poor and uninspiring performance at the plate and when there were opportunities, the least able or coldest bats were there to end innings.
Why did Young bunt with Vivas on deck? Vivas is awful and even worse with RISP. The Vivas experiment needs to end.
Buttera said he was bunting for a hit
I hate to say it, but losses like this make Griffin, Garcia and possibly CJ trades more likely.
I'd be surprised with a C.J. trade you would have to give up a lot to get him at the deadline and if you trade him in the offseason more teams would be involved. I think they will trade Griffin and Garcia if they get a good return back.
I said "possibly" CJ. Someone in need of a hitter. Yanks, Brewers and Bosox (with Mead now injured) would surely welcome CJ and be willing to pay for him.
That would be "funny" to see CJ go to Boston right behind Mead. Not outside of the realm of possibility because of Toboni's connections to that Boston front office.
Games like this happen - little duck snorts by the Jays led to runs….that’s what they do - they get balls in play, rarely K with RISP - Nats could take a lesson from that approach.
Not feeling good about these next 8 games plus the looming trade deadline…..Braves are tough and they punish mistakes, poor pitching and fielding and bad approaches to AB’s with scoring chances - got a lot to clean up ***fast*** to even split this upcoming series….
Good news is no one in the NL (or the AL for that matter) wants the 5th and 6th playoff spots. It’s been a panoply of massive leads blown, bullpen meltdowns and errors - our old chum Kyle Finnegan blew up Skubal’s possibly last start for the Tigers this afternoon, just like the old days here….
Onward to…..who knows?
Irvin returns to start against the Braves tomorrow. Griffin is listed as the probable for Friday (for the time being 🙂).
It’s counterintuitive, but maybe being on the road again will help. They have overcome a lot of weaknesses to get this far, would be understandable but unfortunate if they start to fade at this point.
Bullpen snake bitten did not really pitch bad.
Why not pinch hit for Nunez? Crews and Ruiz were on the bench. His hitting has really fallen off. And as other commenters have said, Lyle is really in a bad way. I’m not sure I’d send him down, but I would drop Vivas and bring up Lipscomb. Though Lipscomb hasn’t looked great previously in the Bigs. 11 games under .500 at home?!?!
No team in HISTORY hates its own fans and home city and ball park like the Nationals do
That’s a bit harsh. At least we’re not fans of the Padres, Mariners, Brewers, Rockies, or Rays. Those clubs have never won the World Series. 🙂
I was really pissed off after that loss. Now, after having reflected, I realized that the path forward this year is simple: sell any high-value assets. Griffin, Garcia, Young, anyone worth a penny - sans Wood, Abrams, Cavalli, Early, Ribalta, Yean (from the MLB roster). If they insist on trotting out Vivas every day and giving Tena high leverage ABs (despite it working today), they aren't gonna be playing any games in October as is. May as well get something in return.