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For some reason I had it in my head that we had already played these guys this year, but that’s obviously not the case as we get them 7 times over the next two weeks.
And they’ll have a big impact on the NL East as they get the Nats & Mets back-to-back on the east coast this week, and then back-to-back again in the mountains next week (Aug 18-23)
Nice of them to start things off by taking two of three in DC this past weekend.
As usual they’ve got a top-ranked offense but, as usual, there’s a major home/road split involved: .303/.357/.488 at home — .241/.289/.396 on the road
It works the same for their pitchers too but not nearly to the same degree [5.43 ERA, 1.57 WHiP] or away [4.48, 1.42]. Basically they don’t pitch well at home, don’t pitch well away, and can’t figure out anywhere else to play.
And what it all adds up to is a 47-62 record and last place in the NL West.
Nice move, btw, NOT trading for Carlos Gonzalez at the deadline since it left him around to go 5/13 w/3 HRs while in Washington. Of course that could always backfire on us starting tonight.
Reyes is 8 for 39 w/2 2Bs since the deal. More ominously, some BB2N guys (specifically Keith Law) were using phrases like “no longer able to play SS” when discussing reasons why Toronto so wanted to deal him off for Tulowitski .
Nolan Arenado is probably the best 3B in baseball right now. Certainly defensively, and maybe only Josh Donaldson in Toronto is having a better all-around season.
Looks like the pitching match-ups will be:
Monday 7:10 — Niese vs Jon Gray (2nd ML game - 3 runs/2 ER on 5 hits over 4 IP vs SEA last week) 3rd overall pick in 2013 and a highly regarded prospect!!
Tuesday 7:10 — Harvey vs Chris Rusin (LHP, 12 starts, 3-4, 4.66, 1.61)
Wednesday 7:10 — deGrom vs Jorge de la Rosa (LHP, 7-4, 4.85, 1.40). Closest thing they have to 'an ace'
Thursday 12:10 — Syndergaard vs Eddie Butler (15 starts, 3-9, 5.50, 1.80) 46th overall draft pick in 2012
In Washington over the weekend they were using Rule 5 pick (off the Yanx roster) Tommy Kahnle as their closer and he was 2-for-2 in saves. I guess John Axford (27 saves but also a 4.25 ERA/1.67 WHIP) and LHR Christian Freidrich (10 saves, 5.01, 1.63) weren't cutting it.
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