27 Comments
User's avatar
DaveTheSwede's avatar

The bullpen situation is getting silly

peter wood's avatar

Well, the Nats Pen is not good and they are trying to improve it. That is not at all easy. We need patience:))

Susan V's avatar

Adding someone with an ERA of (checks BBREF) 17.18 is improving it?

I really, *really* wish someone would ask Toboni WTF he is thinking with this one.

(I'm referring to this guy Krook they picked up who'd been cut by the Athletics and whose presence is the reason for Yean's going back to Rochester.)

DaveTheSwede's avatar

I hear you. Patience. But . . . there are 29 other teams with better bullpens.

TheWerthWhisperer's avatar

How many more times will Butera play the infield in? Backfired every time.

John walker's avatar

A real shame of this loss is that it obscures both a gritty comeback to tie it after being down 4-0 and a VERY heady bit of baserunning by James to score the tying run on a blooper to short (Griffen showing part 1 of why greatness is predicted for him; part 2 on display with the go ahead two run single in the 7th)

Josh Sager's avatar

I’m just glad that series is over with man. Konnor Griffin is a pest.

markopc's avatar

I’m willing to see what comes

Geordie Keitt's avatar

Lightheadedness is a symptom of dehydration and also fatigue - being on “regular rest” assumes you are sleeping through the night. If Cavalli was telling the truth about being upset, he was not sleeping well, and it caught up with him

Susan V's avatar

That's a good point. Probably a combination of both.

nebco66's avatar

So Yean goes back to Rochester after 2 lights-out innings of relief. Because Krook will be demonstrably better? They know that already? Sometimes it looks like the Nats punish success.

peter wood's avatar

Iwould have kept him with the Nats! He pitched well.

peter wood's avatar

I am pretty sure he will be back

nebco66's avatar

I agree. But this Krook guy is currently pitching to an ERA of 17.16. From the outside, the Nats' pitching process looks willy-nilly. I have a hard time imagining a scenario where he will help the Nats short or long term.

peter wood's avatar

We need to be patient, the Nats are doing their due diligence.

DCSportsfan63's avatar

Yeah, I don't get it

Mark's avatar

Make it make sense…

gonatsgo1's avatar

Still cooling my heels (so to speak) down here in the Outer Banks and trying to catch up.

Sorry to see the Buccos take the series. I'll read the boxscores later but looks like another bullpen blow up. And just saw the news on Hassell. That was in the cards I'd say. He'll undoubtedly get snagged by somebody.

Let's go get the 'Stros. Go Nats!

MacMom54's avatar

Seems to me that they are auditioning pitchers.

Bob's avatar

It’s kind of like the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. 😎

nebco66's avatar

Ha! Great image!

Tegwar's avatar

If this bullpen keeps bursting into flames, and I don’t mean just giving up a run or two, it is going to affect the morale of the team. It already seems to be affecting Butera’s decisions.

Right now, they have a dime holding up a dollar. The rest of this team is competitive. Could other areas be improved? Sure, but that’s true of almost every team outside of maybe the Dodgers or Braves, and even their fans would probably tell you they still have problems.

The Nationals have tried the waiver wire and minor league arms, and some of those pitchers may eventually turn into something. But learning how to pitch in the big leagues while your team is trying to stay in Wild Card contention is rarely done for a reason.

They need to make a decision now. Either go get another lefty and a real closer, or admit this is a development year. But don’t keep abusing certain arms because you’re halfway trying to compete and halfway trying to develop.

Middle relievers already have some of the shortest careers in baseball. Don’t turn a useful young arm into an innings eater just because the rest of the bullpen is gasoline.

nebco66's avatar

I like what you're saying. Decide on what you want to do this season--compete or develop?--then proceed accordingly.

Bob Pratt's avatar

The heat was rough, but I’m wondering if Brad Lord is starting to wear down.

Mark's avatar

Would like to understand what is happening with him when he has two strikes. That is what sunk him and the team today and against the Giants. Not walking batters like many others in the bullpen- just not able to get an out with two strikes. He should have been pulled earlier, it was clear he could not finish.

Mark's avatar

Maybe I am impatient, but Cornelio and Lawrence don’t look like they have “it” under the pressure of MLB competition. Yean, would like to see more of, he had presence and results.