Good to see the bats didn’t let the pitching get to their performance.
Tough one but hopefully we can shake this one off. We need to pray though since it’s Mikolas tomorrow. Prayers the bats can be good tomorrow against Keller.
For each positive 2026 Nats moment (and people should admit right now there have been more than a few) the annoyance as a fan also creeps in. Imagine what this team COULD be if the owners actually invested real money into the Gio Gonzalez, Doug Fister level starters. Paid a tad more for some capable middle relievers. Gee I don’t know sign an Adam La Roche level actual first baseman that can catch off track throws from a young infield and roster that needs some mentoring.
I mostly agree with your sentiment but Doug Fister was acquired in a trade (in which the Nats dealt away Robbie Ray) that did not age well. Agree that the mostly inert spending of Lerners over the past few seasons is unacceptable. I really hope they are not seeking to follow a low-budget Rays or Guardians kind of model. But I also don’t think they know as a group what they are going to do from one moment to the other, either, so who knows?
I think it's generous to regard ownership's stinginess as strategic. I don't think they're looking at Tampa or Cleveland as models. They're just unwilling to spend.
If Jackson Rutledge is still with the team tomorrow they have learned nothing. Why have the Nats pitching become nibblers? So disappointing. Miles goes 3.
They're stuck choosing from a bevy of bad options.
I also wonder if Butera just makes Mikolas wear it if he goes out there and stinks it up for the first few innings. Take the L today and avoid the domino effect of chewing up your bullpen during this long stretch without a day off.
When they signed Mikolas, the message was that he's no ace, but at least he reliably eats a lot of innings. If Butera yanks him early every time then really, what's the point of continuing?
They could've had him pitching every fifth day - for two seasons (perhaps one of them being lost to a lockout). Then, he was sure to depart.
Do you want him pitching for the Nats in a non-competitive season, or do you want a reinvestment in a still-degraded pipeline?
For what it's worth, Gore, hasn't exactly been chewing up innings. While he's certainly been better than the average Nats staff, he's averaging a little over 5.1 innings per start - which is right around his career average of 5.14 innings per start (BB-R).
If you believe the Nats will start to spend “when the time is right”, they should be ready to spend in 2028, when Gore hits free agency. If they are not ready to spend in 2 years, there’s really no hope.
Questionable prospects is a redundant phrase. All prospects are unproven. That's why they're prospects and not major leaguers. But have you watched Gavin Fien play? Perhaps you should. I'm quite excited about a Willits and Fien infield. If you can't get excited about prospects, then you may be doomed to be a perpetually disappointed baseball fan.
In spite of an “eventful” series opener…. will be hoping for a better showing in person tomorrow. Would love the chance to say hello and thank you for all you do for this fanbase! From a long time listener and PGH Nats fan, you and Al have helped make the past few years much more enjoyable than they would have been otherwise. Keep up the excellent reporting!
It seems it all went wrong for Cavalli after the dash to first base when Louis threw behind him. Makes me wonder if that awkward reach back for the ball while running towards the bag tweaked something just enough to mess up his mechanics.
Brutal reality strikes back
Aces are meant to provide length and rest for the bullpen.
Feels like their best chance at the moment for greater than 5 innings is Foster Griffin.
Onto the next game.
Good to see the bats didn’t let the pitching get to their performance.
Tough one but hopefully we can shake this one off. We need to pray though since it’s Mikolas tomorrow. Prayers the bats can be good tomorrow against Keller.
For each positive 2026 Nats moment (and people should admit right now there have been more than a few) the annoyance as a fan also creeps in. Imagine what this team COULD be if the owners actually invested real money into the Gio Gonzalez, Doug Fister level starters. Paid a tad more for some capable middle relievers. Gee I don’t know sign an Adam La Roche level actual first baseman that can catch off track throws from a young infield and roster that needs some mentoring.
I mostly agree with your sentiment but Doug Fister was acquired in a trade (in which the Nats dealt away Robbie Ray) that did not age well. Agree that the mostly inert spending of Lerners over the past few seasons is unacceptable. I really hope they are not seeking to follow a low-budget Rays or Guardians kind of model. But I also don’t think they know as a group what they are going to do from one moment to the other, either, so who knows?
I think it's generous to regard ownership's stinginess as strategic. I don't think they're looking at Tampa or Cleveland as models. They're just unwilling to spend.
As the Irish ☘️ like to say, “In the pub, you can always tell which one is the Scotsman. He’s the one with the short arm.”
Oh, good. Nothing like a Mikolas start to help get over tonight’s travesty.
Time for us to surprise us all.
Maybe the third start is the charm?
Maybe the third start is the snake.
If Jackson Rutledge is still with the team tomorrow they have learned nothing. Why have the Nats pitching become nibblers? So disappointing. Miles goes 3.
They're stuck choosing from a bevy of bad options.
I also wonder if Butera just makes Mikolas wear it if he goes out there and stinks it up for the first few innings. Take the L today and avoid the domino effect of chewing up your bullpen during this long stretch without a day off.
Not much to say, other than I hope Cade can get himself right for his next start, and that the offense never gives up. GO NATS!
When they signed Mikolas, the message was that he's no ace, but at least he reliably eats a lot of innings. If Butera yanks him early every time then really, what's the point of continuing?
They traded away a potential ace for a quantity of questionable prospects , so they could have had Gore pitching every 5 days.
They could've had him pitching every fifth day - for two seasons (perhaps one of them being lost to a lockout). Then, he was sure to depart.
Do you want him pitching for the Nats in a non-competitive season, or do you want a reinvestment in a still-degraded pipeline?
For what it's worth, Gore, hasn't exactly been chewing up innings. While he's certainly been better than the average Nats staff, he's averaging a little over 5.1 innings per start - which is right around his career average of 5.14 innings per start (BB-R).
If you believe the Nats will start to spend “when the time is right”, they should be ready to spend in 2028, when Gore hits free agency. If they are not ready to spend in 2 years, there’s really no hope.
Questionable prospects is a redundant phrase. All prospects are unproven. That's why they're prospects and not major leaguers. But have you watched Gavin Fien play? Perhaps you should. I'm quite excited about a Willits and Fien infield. If you can't get excited about prospects, then you may be doomed to be a perpetually disappointed baseball fan.
In spite of an “eventful” series opener…. will be hoping for a better showing in person tomorrow. Would love the chance to say hello and thank you for all you do for this fanbase! From a long time listener and PGH Nats fan, you and Al have helped make the past few years much more enjoyable than they would have been otherwise. Keep up the excellent reporting!
It's a beautiful park maybe the nicest new park I've been to. You also can get good seats for a reasonable price.
It seems it all went wrong for Cavalli after the dash to first base when Louis threw behind him. Makes me wonder if that awkward reach back for the ball while running towards the bag tweaked something just enough to mess up his mechanics.
His mechanics did seem imperfect. I'm no expert, but it seemed like he was flying open a lot.
Eddy Yean looks promising at Rochester.
What's wrong with Cade Cavalli? Is he hurt but just not admitting it to himself or others given how many times he's had setbacks?
Well that sure crushes the enthusiasm of an unexpected road sweep. And fast!
I guess I don't mind a stinker against the league's best pitcher. This was a scheduled loss.