Garcia thanking Butera is notable to me because it looked like Garcia saw Mead coming out and Garcia looked back at Butera to ask if Mead was coming in for him. Butera gave Garcia the go ahead to bat and put Mead in for Tena. Then Garcia hit the grand slam.
There is so much to celebrate about last night. The way the game unfolded, the Nats' hitters were working in as close to a stress-free environment as you can get. Vivas's quote is a reminder that ballplayers know when they're working, pressing, and not getting results. Which brings me to this: I feel for Crews. Everybody is hitting, rolling crooked numbers, and he finishes the night with an 0-5 collar. I'm sure he is working. And pressing. And knew what his place in the boxscore would look like after the game. I imagine last night was a long one for him. So, I do feel sorry for him. He is working, pressing, and not delivering. And he knows it. And he feels it. It's a doggoned shame. Here's hoping he has a good game today.
I was glad to see him make solid contact and drive the ball in his first two at bats. Those hard-hit line drives makes me think he is getting closer to contributing.
Dylan Crews’ problem is his Launch angle. It’s only 7.3. It’s going to take time for it to increase. Kevin Long would completely makeover a hitter’s swing in order to increase the LA. Borgschulte , and presumably the Nats’ organization, has a different approach: he’ll make tweaks to a player’s swing and then the LA will naturally increase. It takes longer to do but the thought is the change is more lasting. Crews’ GB % is 52% but his FB% has increased to 35% ( none are infield Fly Balls). This means the adjustment is in progress. It’s just a matter of Crews finding the fine line between hitting groundballs and hitting fly balls. Once he finds that point he’ll be hitting more line drives. The key here is patience. It took JY an entire offseason and 1/3 of the regular season to raise his lanch angle from ~4 to 11. It took Keibert spring training and 1/3 of the season to raise his launch from 11 to 17.
Thanks for sharing. Maybe he is able to improve his swing and that would be great, but I think the team has enough options that their future success isn’t dependent on him as a key piece. That is organizational progress since he was selected. Though still wonder why they brought him up when they did, seemed like he was making progress at AAA.
Another big change from the old regime: when Butera says a player was pulled after a possible injury as a "very precautionary" (Griffen) or "very minor" matter and he expects him to play today (Wood) I believe him and don't fear the worst is the truth....
Hmmmm…..I recall Davey making comments like that all the time. How’s it so different? When it was more serious he’d say they needed to wait for X-rays, MRI, etc. What should’ve been different with those?
I think he’s happy the team won. He may come around - he struggled at every level before doing well, but never as long as this time. But he may not and will have to be replaced or sent down. For now, it looks like the Nationals are going to be patient with him before making a final judgment.
Woke up in the UK just about an hour after the game finished, checked the score and was wow! Loved having the quotes from the club house in, especially as I hadn’t watched the game.
Mark, given that Herz has now started his 30-day rehab clock, what are you hearing about the Nats plans for him when those 30 days end? Will he slot into a bulk bullpen spot (like Parker/Lord) before returning to the rotation?
I cannot imagine them using Hertz out of the BP unless and until he pitches himself out of a starter position. They’ll have him starting in AAA and keep him on a 5 day rotation before bringing him up and slotting him in as a starter in place of someone (a starter who is injured, traded, or demoted to AAA or the BP). I don’t think they mess with his routine and rest days by adding him to the BP. Just my opinion.
He will be on a strict pitch limit all year. Maybe he could be an opener for the bulk pitcher. They will want to keep him on a five man rotation schedule.
The usual process is to limit his pitches the first game or two, letting him ramp up to a normal game pitch count. Then limit his overall pitches for the season. Depending on when he’s back in the rotation, that may not be a factor by the time the season ends. Of course, all depends on how he’s pitching and how healthy he remains.
I'm not real happy about writing this, but after yesterday's flurry of "keep C.J." articles, I suspect that Griffin is the #1 candidate now for a mid-season deal.
I think it is bizarre how much this team hates playing in DC and only does great away. This issue goes right back to the World Series of 2019 they lost all the home games and won all the away games how they managed to win the Play In Game is The Miracle on Grass
They actually lose those home games on purpose just to give you something to rant about. By the way, how many of those world series players are still around throwing these home games just to irritate you
I’ve got an idea! Why don’t you move to another NL East city. Nats will lose there and start winning at home just to spite you and rub your nose in it, bad puppy!
I think you’re being unfairly criticized about the Nats since 2019 and their struggles at home. That is real. But you’re being unfairly critical of the 2019 season. The Nats were magnificent at home in 2019 which made the WS anomaly just weird.
I am not being critical of the whole 2019 season I am just saying that they have been playing badly at home for a long time and shined when playing away and now it's acute
Turns out Butera & The Natalytics just needed a little Pocketful of (Desert) Sunshine feat. Natasha Bedingfield and Luis Garcia Jr. If we win like this on the road, then 🎶Take me awayyyyyyy🎶
Another great article, Zuck. I like the interviews. Hope they keep swinging those bats. Btw, CJs errorless streak ends. You jinxed him in your article on Wednesday. 🤪
Garcia thanking Butera is notable to me because it looked like Garcia saw Mead coming out and Garcia looked back at Butera to ask if Mead was coming in for him. Butera gave Garcia the go ahead to bat and put Mead in for Tena. Then Garcia hit the grand slam.
There is so much to celebrate about last night. The way the game unfolded, the Nats' hitters were working in as close to a stress-free environment as you can get. Vivas's quote is a reminder that ballplayers know when they're working, pressing, and not getting results. Which brings me to this: I feel for Crews. Everybody is hitting, rolling crooked numbers, and he finishes the night with an 0-5 collar. I'm sure he is working. And pressing. And knew what his place in the boxscore would look like after the game. I imagine last night was a long one for him. So, I do feel sorry for him. He is working, pressing, and not delivering. And he knows it. And he feels it. It's a doggoned shame. Here's hoping he has a good game today.
I was glad to see him make solid contact and drive the ball in his first two at bats. Those hard-hit line drives makes me think he is getting closer to contributing.
It’s really puzzling what’s going on with Crews. Here’s a recent article on the issue. https://www.si.com/mlb/nationals/onsi/nationals-outfielder-dylan-crews-continues-baffle-analysts
Dylan Crews’ problem is his Launch angle. It’s only 7.3. It’s going to take time for it to increase. Kevin Long would completely makeover a hitter’s swing in order to increase the LA. Borgschulte , and presumably the Nats’ organization, has a different approach: he’ll make tweaks to a player’s swing and then the LA will naturally increase. It takes longer to do but the thought is the change is more lasting. Crews’ GB % is 52% but his FB% has increased to 35% ( none are infield Fly Balls). This means the adjustment is in progress. It’s just a matter of Crews finding the fine line between hitting groundballs and hitting fly balls. Once he finds that point he’ll be hitting more line drives. The key here is patience. It took JY an entire offseason and 1/3 of the regular season to raise his lanch angle from ~4 to 11. It took Keibert spring training and 1/3 of the season to raise his launch from 11 to 17.
Thanks for sharing. Maybe he is able to improve his swing and that would be great, but I think the team has enough options that their future success isn’t dependent on him as a key piece. That is organizational progress since he was selected. Though still wonder why they brought him up when they did, seemed like he was making progress at AAA.
Another big change from the old regime: when Butera says a player was pulled after a possible injury as a "very precautionary" (Griffen) or "very minor" matter and he expects him to play today (Wood) I believe him and don't fear the worst is the truth....
Hmmmm…..I recall Davey making comments like that all the time. How’s it so different? When it was more serious he’d say they needed to wait for X-rays, MRI, etc. What should’ve been different with those?
What must Crews be thinking after a game like that? Going hitless in a 16-hit game is most glaring.
I think he’s happy the team won. He may come around - he struggled at every level before doing well, but never as long as this time. But he may not and will have to be replaced or sent down. For now, it looks like the Nationals are going to be patient with him before making a final judgment.
Woke up in the UK just about an hour after the game finished, checked the score and was wow! Loved having the quotes from the club house in, especially as I hadn’t watched the game.
It is 8am here on the East Coast. Very nice to see this news!!
Natschat podcast is a good listen today!
This "Not so Instant" column is better than back to back columns. Everything in one go.
Nice! A blowout in 'Zona. Great to wake up to this.
Definitely the tonic needed after that miserable last series. Sounds like Griffin and Wood will be fine.
Congrats to Garcia on a career night!
Thank you for the update on Griffin and Herz. Was concerned about why Griffin came out after 5..
We needed yesterday’s victory. Reminds us who and what The Nats are made of! These are NOT the Nats of 2020-2025.
Mark, given that Herz has now started his 30-day rehab clock, what are you hearing about the Nats plans for him when those 30 days end? Will he slot into a bulk bullpen spot (like Parker/Lord) before returning to the rotation?
I cannot imagine them using Hertz out of the BP unless and until he pitches himself out of a starter position. They’ll have him starting in AAA and keep him on a 5 day rotation before bringing him up and slotting him in as a starter in place of someone (a starter who is injured, traded, or demoted to AAA or the BP). I don’t think they mess with his routine and rest days by adding him to the BP. Just my opinion.
He will be on a strict pitch limit all year. Maybe he could be an opener for the bulk pitcher. They will want to keep him on a five man rotation schedule.
The usual process is to limit his pitches the first game or two, letting him ramp up to a normal game pitch count. Then limit his overall pitches for the season. Depending on when he’s back in the rotation, that may not be a factor by the time the season ends. Of course, all depends on how he’s pitching and how healthy he remains.
And, how long the season runs . . .
Good point. If they get on a hot streak in the second half of the season, things could change.
I like this new format with the quotes better than the previous approach.
Foster Griffin reminds me a little bit of 1969-71 Dick Bosman. A cerebral pitcher, strike thrower, calm demeanor on the mound.
And an A.L. ERA leader in '69.
And later on a very good pitching coach for the Orioles.
I'm not real happy about writing this, but after yesterday's flurry of "keep C.J." articles, I suspect that Griffin is the #1 candidate now for a mid-season deal.
I hope not, we lose more games because of the lack of quality pitchers then position players.
Hope I'm wrong, too. -:)
Ditto:))
I’ve thought that all along, and I suppose the state of the team in the weeks leading up to the deadline will be the determining factor.
Yup!!
I think it is bizarre how much this team hates playing in DC and only does great away. This issue goes right back to the World Series of 2019 they lost all the home games and won all the away games how they managed to win the Play In Game is The Miracle on Grass
They actually lose those home games on purpose just to give you something to rant about. By the way, how many of those world series players are still around throwing these home games just to irritate you
Oh Gwumpy, did you wake up on the w(r)ong side of the bed this morning. Maybe your binky will make you’ll feel better.
I think it's bizzare that we never see your sorry posts after a home win.
Give lawn bowling a try.
If they won at home maybe you would but since they don't you don't
Sure thing.
What's the frequency, Kenneth?
Really you want to be nasty and dismissive what exactly do you think your responses say about you hmmmm?
I’ve got an idea! Why don’t you move to another NL East city. Nats will lose there and start winning at home just to spite you and rub your nose in it, bad puppy!
I think you’re being unfairly criticized about the Nats since 2019 and their struggles at home. That is real. But you’re being unfairly critical of the 2019 season. The Nats were magnificent at home in 2019 which made the WS anomaly just weird.
I am not being critical of the whole 2019 season I am just saying that they have been playing badly at home for a long time and shined when playing away and now it's acute
Turns out Butera & The Natalytics just needed a little Pocketful of (Desert) Sunshine feat. Natasha Bedingfield and Luis Garcia Jr. If we win like this on the road, then 🎶Take me awayyyyyyy🎶
Your recollection and mine are very different. I’ll leave it at that…
Another great article, Zuck. I like the interviews. Hope they keep swinging those bats. Btw, CJs errorless streak ends. You jinxed him in your article on Wednesday. 🤪