Mistakes made and a loss, but a competitive game. The last few years, it seemed like every time they had an offensive outburst, the bats went silent for a few days. Glimmers of hope and progress.
Slow starts across the league, when Wood connects he’s smoking it, and his last two ABs were better than the ones at the beginning. I’m more frustrated by the wanton use of the challenges
Mark asked the question (that’s why we love him) and Butera said that they felt he wasn’t at first when throw was made, which appeared to be obviously incorrect. So must not be subject to review.
Those failed challenges in the first few innings were really bad. What were they thinking? Garcia's wasn't even close. Butera might even need to tell players they can't challenge a call with fewer than two strikes.
The BLINKING CYCLOPS in the 9th was just inexcusable! Squeezed every Nats batter at least once if not more. Butera needs to impart (and I am sure he will) when to challenge and when not to. I'd say that unless there is a runner on 3rd, no challenge until the 6th or later.
To put a positive spin on it - this game was good lesson for not using challenges carelessly - because the consequences of doing that become self-evident later. I expect the team will take this lesson to heart.
As Mark said, Littell was not bad under the circumstances. Yes, he gave up 3 runs, but the Nats have shown that they are capable of scoring more than that. So, just as the Cubs did, the Phillies have forced a rubber match, but not in as spectacular a fashion.
I'm looking forward to Cavalli's second start tomorrow.
Go, Nats!! (Just rein it in a little where those ABS challenges are concerned!)
The ABS challenges were both terrible decisions in low leverage situations. I can't believe this analytics-focused regime isn't coaching the players on situational appropriateness. Garcia in particular needed to know that they'd already lost one challenge. To challenge that call in an early game bases-empty situation was malpractice.
On the positive side, neither of those home runs would've left other ball parks. Littell looked effective.
I’m terrified of James Wood not putting it together this year.
It’s also just hard to watch a guy who shows so little emotion struggle because it’s impossible to tell what he’s feeling walking back to the dugout. Hoping the staff have some help they can provide
It felt like Wood’s last two at bats were his best of the season, so far. Those were the only ABs that he didn’t appear lost. Hopefully he found something on those….
As many others have already said here, the biggest issue tonight was the wasted challenges. Hopefully Butera doesn't just address Ruiz and Garcia individually but the whole team, and set at least some ground rules about challenges. Need to keep challenges available for high leverage spots
Give the guys a break. This is the fifth game of a new season, with a young team, working with a brand new system (ABS). I doubt any player missed the point about using the system too early and I am sure, therefore, that everyone will listen to the coach and do better.
Note about 5 games: 3 wins, one blow out loss, and one competitive game. Really not bad at all.
ABS challenge strategy needs tweaking
Biggest takeaway of the game for me. Gotta make sure Wiemer has one late.
Mistakes made and a loss, but a competitive game. The last few years, it seemed like every time they had an offensive outburst, the bats went silent for a few days. Glimmers of hope and progress.
We’ll see what happens with Wood, but for me the message in the clubhouse needs to be about the consequences of reckless use of the ABS challenges.
Slow starts across the league, when Wood connects he’s smoking it, and his last two ABs were better than the ones at the beginning. I’m more frustrated by the wanton use of the challenges
Please ask what the ruling was on Lile advancing to 3rd in 6th
I think we will find it’s a ump judgement (ugh)
Mark asked the question (that’s why we love him) and Butera said that they felt he wasn’t at first when throw was made, which appeared to be obviously incorrect. So must not be subject to review.
Those failed challenges in the first few innings were really bad. What were they thinking? Garcia's wasn't even close. Butera might even need to tell players they can't challenge a call with fewer than two strikes.
No remaining ABS challenges completely altered two of Joey Wiemer’s at-bats.
Blake might want to have a conversation with Luis and Keibert.
The BLINKING CYCLOPS in the 9th was just inexcusable! Squeezed every Nats batter at least once if not more. Butera needs to impart (and I am sure he will) when to challenge and when not to. I'd say that unless there is a runner on 3rd, no challenge until the 6th or later.
To put a positive spin on it - this game was good lesson for not using challenges carelessly - because the consequences of doing that become self-evident later. I expect the team will take this lesson to heart.
As Mark said, Littell was not bad under the circumstances. Yes, he gave up 3 runs, but the Nats have shown that they are capable of scoring more than that. So, just as the Cubs did, the Phillies have forced a rubber match, but not in as spectacular a fashion.
I'm looking forward to Cavalli's second start tomorrow.
Go, Nats!! (Just rein it in a little where those ABS challenges are concerned!)
I'm looking forward to Cade tomorrow (as well as the Nats lineup)! GO NATS!! ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
This is my first experience with an ever-changing lineup, and I must say, it is intriguing and definitely worth looking forward to.
The ABS challenges were both terrible decisions in low leverage situations. I can't believe this analytics-focused regime isn't coaching the players on situational appropriateness. Garcia in particular needed to know that they'd already lost one challenge. To challenge that call in an early game bases-empty situation was malpractice.
On the positive side, neither of those home runs would've left other ball parks. Littell looked effective.
I’m terrified of James Wood not putting it together this year.
It’s also just hard to watch a guy who shows so little emotion struggle because it’s impossible to tell what he’s feeling walking back to the dugout. Hoping the staff have some help they can provide
It felt like Wood’s last two at bats were his best of the season, so far. Those were the only ABs that he didn’t appear lost. Hopefully he found something on those….
As many others have already said here, the biggest issue tonight was the wasted challenges. Hopefully Butera doesn't just address Ruiz and Garcia individually but the whole team, and set at least some ground rules about challenges. Need to keep challenges available for high leverage spots
Give the guys a break. This is the fifth game of a new season, with a young team, working with a brand new system (ABS). I doubt any player missed the point about using the system too early and I am sure, therefore, that everyone will listen to the coach and do better.
Note about 5 games: 3 wins, one blow out loss, and one competitive game. Really not bad at all.