Didn't matter. They entered the 9th with a 2-run lead; Garcia's non-error (they changed the first one to Abrams and the second isn't technically an error as they got an out at 2B on the play. You can't assume the DP) was in the 8th.
That said, I am not remotely a fan of Garcia at 1B. He's a butcher with a glove.
It matters a little bit, the inability to complete the inning (1) forced Beeter to salvage the 8th and (2) pushed the lineup to numbers 1, 2, and 3 for the 9th inning. Potentially very different result to the game if Beeter comes in start of the 9th against a 7, 8, 9
Just as Garcia is paid to make plays, those in the BP who blew the save are paid to protect a lead. In the end, they were handed a 2 run lead which they failed to protect.
Team was done in by errors and walks today. Unfortunately a missed opportunity to make a statement by winning the first two series of the season on the road against playoff teams. Can't be overly upset at a 3-3 record but this emphasizes the need to clean up the little things if you want to close out close games.
That one stung! Which is kind of nice because I can't remember the last time the Nats really made me feel something like that, but also not nice cause ouch!
It’s going to be another long season if they stoop to this level of play in the future. They let this one get with sloppy fielding and crappy pitching in the clutch.
This is a “trust the process” loss. The Nationals appear to be a better team but they did not spend this offseason on even obvious needs like BP and 1B. Hopefully Nats spend more the next offseason. And if there’s a salary floor, Lerners will be forced to spend.
This one is going to sting. And I hope that the Luis Garcia Jr. 1B experiment is over. He has no clue what he's doing over there and can't handle the big glove. Put him back at 2B and alternate him with Nunez and Jorbit. Sorry, Luis, you can't play 1B.
The Nats have done a good job to start the season, even with today's frustrating (albeit all-too-familiar type of) loss. As people have pointed out, they need to get a legitimate first baseman. I know that wins/losses aren't the focus this year, but it would be a shame to lose more winnable games like today's. That would be demoralizing for the team and the fans. So far, they are exciting and fun to watch!
Looking forward to Friday's home opener vs the Dodgers. Go Nats!!
Mark, any chance you can leave the final score out of the message header for those of us who need to time shift the game? I love the analysis and commentary but would rather not have the results spoiled.
Pardon my ignorance, but how do you time shift the game. I assume it’s on the stream, not the tv. The stream on my phone or tablet is not synced up w/my tv. Don’t even get the same pregame on tv and stream.
It’s carried on all the local cable providers. I’m on Xfinity so it’s channel 1261. I often just record it to the DVR and watch it later so I can skip the commercials.
Now let’s talk about that channel having the game times programmed wrong and the games not always recording when they should…
I live in Santa Barbara, and since I watch all the games on the MLB app, I can start them whenever I want. Given the 3 hour time difference, I often start watching after the game has started, or is even over. Doesn't matter as long as the cone of silence has descended.
Loss hurts but if you told me we’d start 3-3 with this schedule on the road, I wouldn’t have believed you.
Edit: One other thing that I really do appreciate is that we’re not getting destroyed like we have in past years. Philly genuinely had to EARN those wins. Those were not cakewalks.
It’s a better team. It’s a brutal loss, it sucks, it sucks a lot. But already the signs are there of new coaching and a better approach.
Catching at a 50/50 split, not an immediate deferall to either of the two.
Brady is working walks and being selective with what he offers at.
Wood is starting to work into the hard contact.
Young randomly out of no where is muscling balls into line drives. Right now, they’re going foul or into gloves, but I’ve yet to see the dribblers he was repeatedly producing last season.
Nasim electric on the field and forcing chaos on the paths.
etc etc etc
I’ll allow one area of confusion: I’m still not sold on the Luis Garcia Jr experiment. His swing remains wonky, arguably even worse, and there doesn’t seem to be an approach to what he attacks at. And he is not a first baseman. There was a lead going into the 9th, sure, but maybe the story is different on how it ends if Beeter isn’t forced to salvage the 8th. Not getting those double plays is brutal. It’s too quick to yank the leash, the season is young, but I hope that one of the first major moves is Ortiz up in the big leagues.
Nice post! I agree on Garcia, Jr….I’m thinking he may not be with the Nats after this season unless he really turns things around - and he might. It’s early. He’s young and he’s learning a new position. But, in general, I think he’s been (not including Crews) one of the most overrated players on the team the last few seasons.
Probably the first lost of the season that Im truly upset about.
Pissing away Cavalli’s performance and against the Phillies of all people is so aggravating
The mistake here today was putting in Garcia in my opinion. Mead would have gloved at least one of those
Didn't matter. They entered the 9th with a 2-run lead; Garcia's non-error (they changed the first one to Abrams and the second isn't technically an error as they got an out at 2B on the play. You can't assume the DP) was in the 8th.
That said, I am not remotely a fan of Garcia at 1B. He's a butcher with a glove.
You’re right and I agree - you can’t force Garcia at 1B. I’d rather see him at 2nd
I’d rather see him gone
Please give Garcia a one-way bus ticket.
It matters a little bit, the inability to complete the inning (1) forced Beeter to salvage the 8th and (2) pushed the lineup to numbers 1, 2, and 3 for the 9th inning. Potentially very different result to the game if Beeter comes in start of the 9th against a 7, 8, 9
A very little bit.
Just as Garcia is paid to make plays, those in the BP who blew the save are paid to protect a lead. In the end, they were handed a 2 run lead which they failed to protect.
Team was done in by errors and walks today. Unfortunately a missed opportunity to make a statement by winning the first two series of the season on the road against playoff teams. Can't be overly upset at a 3-3 record but this emphasizes the need to clean up the little things if you want to close out close games.
That sums it up.
That one stung! Which is kind of nice because I can't remember the last time the Nats really made me feel something like that, but also not nice cause ouch!
It’s going to be another long season if they stoop to this level of play in the future. They let this one get with sloppy fielding and crappy pitching in the clutch.
This is a “trust the process” loss. The Nationals appear to be a better team but they did not spend this offseason on even obvious needs like BP and 1B. Hopefully Nats spend more the next offseason. And if there’s a salary floor, Lerners will be forced to spend.
A simple request to team management. Please have a first baseman play first base. That would go a long way to help this years team.
So -- one man's WAG at the 2026 Nats record, by month:
March: 2-3
April: 10-17
May: 12-16
June: 13-14
July: 12-12
August: 14-15
Sep: 12-10
Overall: 75-87
At 3-2 in March, they're 1 game ahead already!!
That stunk. You had them down to one strike away.
Walks, fielding, and that WP that moved runners to 2nd and 3rd.
This one is going to sting. And I hope that the Luis Garcia Jr. 1B experiment is over. He has no clue what he's doing over there and can't handle the big glove. Put him back at 2B and alternate him with Nunez and Jorbit. Sorry, Luis, you can't play 1B.
The Nats have done a good job to start the season, even with today's frustrating (albeit all-too-familiar type of) loss. As people have pointed out, they need to get a legitimate first baseman. I know that wins/losses aren't the focus this year, but it would be a shame to lose more winnable games like today's. That would be demoralizing for the team and the fans. So far, they are exciting and fun to watch!
Looking forward to Friday's home opener vs the Dodgers. Go Nats!!
That one hurt. Would've been awesome to take this series from Philly... guess we'll have to sweep LAD to make up for it. 😎
Mark, any chance you can leave the final score out of the message header for those of us who need to time shift the game? I love the analysis and commentary but would rather not have the results spoiled.
Pardon my ignorance, but how do you time shift the game. I assume it’s on the stream, not the tv. The stream on my phone or tablet is not synced up w/my tv. Don’t even get the same pregame on tv and stream.
It’s carried on all the local cable providers. I’m on Xfinity so it’s channel 1261. I often just record it to the DVR and watch it later so I can skip the commercials.
Now let’s talk about that channel having the game times programmed wrong and the games not always recording when they should…
I live in Santa Barbara, and since I watch all the games on the MLB app, I can start them whenever I want. Given the 3 hour time difference, I often start watching after the game has started, or is even over. Doesn't matter as long as the cone of silence has descended.
Well, the next game is the home opener Friday. Can't wait. Haven't missed one since 2005.
Weather is looking great. For once, don't need to bundle up. And much better playing at 1 than 4.
Loss hurts but if you told me we’d start 3-3 with this schedule on the road, I wouldn’t have believed you.
Edit: One other thing that I really do appreciate is that we’re not getting destroyed like we have in past years. Philly genuinely had to EARN those wins. Those were not cakewalks.
It’s a better team. It’s a brutal loss, it sucks, it sucks a lot. But already the signs are there of new coaching and a better approach.
Catching at a 50/50 split, not an immediate deferall to either of the two.
Brady is working walks and being selective with what he offers at.
Wood is starting to work into the hard contact.
Young randomly out of no where is muscling balls into line drives. Right now, they’re going foul or into gloves, but I’ve yet to see the dribblers he was repeatedly producing last season.
Nasim electric on the field and forcing chaos on the paths.
etc etc etc
I’ll allow one area of confusion: I’m still not sold on the Luis Garcia Jr experiment. His swing remains wonky, arguably even worse, and there doesn’t seem to be an approach to what he attacks at. And he is not a first baseman. There was a lead going into the 9th, sure, but maybe the story is different on how it ends if Beeter isn’t forced to salvage the 8th. Not getting those double plays is brutal. It’s too quick to yank the leash, the season is young, but I hope that one of the first major moves is Ortiz up in the big leagues.
Nice post! I agree on Garcia, Jr….I’m thinking he may not be with the Nats after this season unless he really turns things around - and he might. It’s early. He’s young and he’s learning a new position. But, in general, I think he’s been (not including Crews) one of the most overrated players on the team the last few seasons.