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Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

Frayed Knot Mar 30 2014 03:00 PM

(re)Meet the Nationals 2013: 86 - 76 w/no playoffs record was, by their "World Series of Bust" standards, rather disappointing. This year they're back to being the chic pick for a WS in many circles. Q: What's new since last season? A: Not a lot really ... the manager and the back of the rotation is about it. Manager: First time Matt Williams replaces Davey Johnson. "The Big Marine" (a nickname he acquired along the way despite not being particularly big nor ever a marine) has made noises about improving the defense, going so far as to hire a coach with the specific title of "defensive coordinator". He'll probably also be less confrontational with the front office, as driving the GM nuts with complaints or odd public pronouncements was something that was usually on Davey's daily to-do list. Back of the rotation: In via trade is Doug Fister (Fister? I barely touched her officer!) but he's not only slated for the #4 spot and would have missed this series anyway but then locked down that fact by starting the year on the DL. Tanner Roark (yes, there are at least two starters in MLB this year named 'Tanner') and Taylor Jordan (or is it Jordan Taylor ... doesn't matter) will start 4th & 5th for the time being but again none of that will matter in this series except that it shoves last year's #5 starter Ross Detwiler to the pen where he'll potentially be a dangerous LHP for mid/late innings stints. Someone let us know about their lineup, the pitching match ups, or (even better) tasteless jokes about their WAGs

Edgy MD Mar 30 2014 07:14 PM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

If you throw a pitch, and it isn't batted, there's a good chance it's going to be caught before it hits the umpire in the stomach. And the man responsible for that service is Wilson Ramos, now in his fourth season as regular-ish catcher for the Nats. The problem is that "-ish" part, as his seasons don't tend to represent anything complete. The man is a survivor. An ACL tear, a pulled hammy, a second pulled hammy, and --- oh yeah --- an abduction/imprisonment/rescue by an assault team are pretty much the defining moments of his career. When he's fresh on the field, he puts up solid numbers, with an OPS north of .750. No real weaknesses to his game. No defining strengths either, at least not that has fully blossomed yet. He's got a catcher's name, a catcher's build, and ears that would make Jorge Posada proud. And if he does fully blossom, like Posada, he could could come into some middle-of-the-rotation power. He hits 'em in bunches when he's healthy. [fimg=250]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Wilson_Ramos_2011.jpg/356px-Wilson_Ramos_2011.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=250]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/WilsonRamos.JPG/600px-WilsonRamos.JPG[/fimg] Backing up is Jose Lobaton, acquired from the Rays during a spring training trade (same ol' Nats, my ass). Lobaton, also Venezuealan, has a history of walkoff drama in his young career. Back in 2012, he got married at home plate at Tropicana field and then the team went out and beat the Yankees. I just think baseball weddings are the coolest thing. I think beating the Yankees is the second-coolest thing.

Edgy MD Mar 30 2014 09:00 PM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

Who, may I ask, is on first?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 30 2014 09:17 PM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

Adam LaRoche is on first. He's a little too much like Ike Davis for anyone's liking, right down to the fact that ther dads were American League pitchers of the 1970s and 80s. It is said that his struggles last season infected the entire Washington lineup, even though it appeared that he always hit against us (not looking that up for fear that I'm wrong). Whatever, neither guy is Freddy Fuckin Freeman. LaRoche is saying all the right things about bouncing back and has a track record to suggest it's possible but I'll bet he worries all honest Washington fans. He has ben diagnosed with ADHD. His Wifey is hot, probably (not looking that up either). Fuck him and whoever plays second base for this franchise.

Frayed Knot Mar 30 2014 09:29 PM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

Anthony Rendon will be handling the keystone for the Nats. Danny Espinosa started last year (and is still on the team) but lost his job halfway through which let the former 1st round pick (6th overall - 2011) take took over in mid-season. He was actually considered the best bat coming out of the draft that year (Rice U) but an elbow injury scared some teams away and the Nats were all too happy to jump on him after having back-to-back #1 overalls the previous two seasons. A respectable .265/.329/.396 over 350 ABs in 2013, this will be his first full season in the majors. He was a 3B-man as an amateur but the opening was at 2nd so that's where he is. Not the greatest of glove-men in the middle of the diamond but Washington is hoping he'll hit enough to make them not care despite their pronounced increased emphasis on defense this year.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 30 2014 10:08 PM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

Who's over at third? Why, it's me, Ryan Zimmerman. Still Longorish with the bat, but... well, hey, remember when people were saying I was a better all-around third baseman-- present and future-- than my buddy up there, Sweet Knickerbockers? Man, I sure threw that away, huh? I don't see so great, given my rapid, possibly-age-related physical decline. Who's that in the hole next to me? Is it Windy Espinosa, or the other dude?

Gwreck Mar 30 2014 10:20 PM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

Ryan Zimmerman is the Nationals' version of David Wright. Face-of-the-franchise, plays third base, has power, well-regarded defensively before having some throwing problems; missed time for injury in 2011. They're even from the same area of Virginia and played youth baseball together (Zimmerman is two years younger). Zimmerman doesn't hit quite as well as David but it's not too shabby: .344 OBP, .465 SLG last year in 147 games. 26 homers. Ryan is signed to a long term contract (through 2020) and in 3-4 seasons should be passing Tim Wallach (hits, runs, RBI) and Vladimir Guerrero (HR) for most of the Expos-Nationals career offensive records. Tim Raines' stolen base record is secure. Ryan is unrelated to starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, who has an extra "N."

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 31 2014 05:10 AM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

Edgy MD Mar 31 2014 05:41 AM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

So if things go south for the Nats defensively and/or LaRoche doesn't recover his stroke, it's perhaps a viable backup plan to return Espnosa to second, move Rendon to third, and bring Zimm across the Diamond to first where he don't have to throw so much.

Lefty Specialist Mar 31 2014 06:58 AM Re: Opening Series KTE - Nationals @ Mets

Ian Desmond plays short for the Nats and in a word, is the anti-Tejada. 20-20 man last year and the year before. Kills the Mets with regularity. He fields, he hits, he'll be in the running for All-Star starter, and he has a wife who looks really good in a baseball uniform. Life is good for Ian Desmond. But what about his friends in the outfield?