...that's what this team should strive for this season. this trifecta hasn't been done in 25 years! we have the talent to do it, it's just a matter of getting it done.

barring injury...Bryce Harper has a shot at being the 2013 NL MVP; Stephen Strasburg has a shot at winning the 2013 NL Cy Young; as a collective the 2013 Washington Nationals have a shot at winning the 2013 World Series. the last team to accomplish this feat was the '88 Dodgers.

that's how HIGH i'm settin' the bar this season. i said last year "don't be surprised" if the Nats finished atop the NL East and you saw how that worked out. this year? man f*ck it. let's chase history.

who wit me?

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=8&topic_id=2155633&mesg_id=2155633&page=

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NBA MOCK DRAFT #1 - https://thecourierclass.com/whole-shebang/2017/5/18/2017-nba-mock-draft-1-just-lotto-and-lotta-trades

Give him a little more line as the face of the franchise as he suffered through the 100 loss seasons.

After his June 23rd cortisone shot last year, in the last 90 games of the season he went:

.321/.383/.584 with 26 2B, 22 HR, 73 RBI

If he were to carry that line out over a full season he's right in the MVP conversation. Harper will have his day, but I want Zim to have that Brooks Robinson in 1964 type season.

...honestly, i think Zimm's RBI numbers may take a hit cuz he hits behind Harper. but, if Zimm can get on base he'll score lots of runs with LaRoche and Desi behind him. it's not what you want from the 4, but i REALLY expect Harper to improve on the solid numbers he put up last year from the 2 spot by moving down in the order. he's gonna get more RBI chances especially with Span and Werth in front of him.

the kid wants to win NOW!!! of course Zimm does too, but Bryce gives me the impression that he wants to destroy opponents offensively and defensively. he wants to lead the charge. he got the ability to do that. as good as Zimm's been for us...he was never THAT type of guy. Bryce is just a different animal.

imma delete mine


do or die

hmmm

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...DAT EFFICIENCY!!!

Assuming the bullpen holds up and the bats can stay awake, they should be able to make that good push come October. More interested in seeing how Gio does this year (STRAUSE will be fine, but I want to see Gio get back together after the playoff crackup)

2:10 minute game? Damn, send 'em up, send 'em back down. Traffic may be back to normal around here come rush hour....

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

Denard Span leading off games to Ace Hood's "Bugatti" and B.o.B's "We Still In This Bitch" just kind of sets the tone for everything.

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...against the Marlins too! them boys ain't playin'. it took them 'til JUNE to get a sweep last year.

team ERA like 0.33? TEAM ERA...not a single player, TEAM.

Bryce leadin' or tied in 6/7 batting categories?

interesting...

Let's keep it in perspective. The Marlins are likely a 100 loss team with a 37 year-old Placido Polanco hitting in the 4 hole.

The only player that they are paying (non-arbitration) for 2014 is Heath Bell, who is currently on the Diamondbacks.

Two series each against the Reds and Braves this month will be a better measuring stick.

Top 10 in HRs allowed in 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012. He was also top 10 in HR/9 IP in 2011.

That ballpark doesn't do anybody any favors. That ball Choo hit is a 2B most places.

5 Ks and 0 BBs in 4 IPs gives me some hope.

This game is really going to funk up our Pythag though.

15-0? Yikes. I understand having a bad pitching day and all, but zero offense? No es bueno.

Ah well, toss this one, start fresh

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

win the division & make the NLCS. to me thats progress

people talking triple digit win numbers & shit...calm down a lil


do or die

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Rafael Belliard-esque

...we'll Cincy again later this month.

C'mon.

http://twitter.com/phenompyrus

Get Out the Room
http://getouttheroom.podomatic.com
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/get-out-the-room/id525657893

Should have a better idea then. After that, it'll be October before they can settle any arguments.

But now, the Braves... the hell?

http://twitter.com/phenompyrus

Get Out the Room
http://getouttheroom.podomatic.com
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/get-out-the-room/id525657893

Haren tomorrow. Hopefully he can get some redemption and a collective sigh can be had.

...i'd settle for 6 good innings with only 2 runs given up. some semblence of a solid outting. that is all.

Braves

but these bats? woo boy.

...should be a good series.

shall be in full clown question, bro regalia letting them upton boys have it from the bleachers


do or die

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

- 1st in blown saves (3)
- 3rd worst ERA (6.06)
- 4th most walks allowed
- 6th most innings pitched

blow-ups and bad outings happen, but they've looked shaky all year. most concerning are the control issues, which is what ended Washington's postseason (Clippard hadn't walked 3 batters in an outing since June 2010).

Rizzo might need another arm by the time the trade deadline rolls around.

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I don't think bullpen management has ever been Davey's strength. The starters don't stretch games and he doesn't trust a lot of guys in leverage situations so he rides his horses hard for stretches,

Haren, Storen and Soriano all have significantly higher BABIPs than usual and their ERAs are higher than their FIPs or xFIPs to varying degrees. Their FIPs still suck, but its April. i am fine with not having all of the NL gunning for us as presumptive favorites. let the braves party now when it doesn't matter at all.


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"To face that guy twice a year is going to be a headache…He takes away from your enthusiasm for the game a little bit." Justin Tuck on RG3

he's the number five starter with the way Detwiler is pitching, so I guess I can't get too critical, but his stuff doesn't look that great. the BABIP is not a fluke if you're serving up that sub-90 MPH meatball he's been throwing.

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at least with Jackson you knew that 7 innings and 2 ER was a possible outcome on any given night. right now, "he's really just our 5th starter" is as good as it gets for Haren.


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"To face that guy twice a year is going to be a headache…He takes away from your enthusiasm for the game a little bit." Justin Tuck on RG3

whyd i do that

people...calm down.

CALM. DOWN.

now if we get swept by the marlins? ok. legit.

but the reds & braves are two GREAT teams. it just goes to show how far we gotta go.

this is when the vets need to come into the clubhouse & say hey...fuck all that going on outside...lets come in here & play ball

all the prognostiocators & all the pre season trophies dont mean shit.

we gotta earn this

& it'll be cool.

im not worried. @ all


do or die

Reds and Braves rematches at the end of the month. Meanwhile we got time to get the ship right against the Marlins.

no one knows anything YET.

I'm not worried. This will be looked back upon as a positive.

stomped an overmatched team, and J-Zimm gave the bullpen some needed rest.

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for the most part he's good for a durable 2-3 run effort and often improves as the game goes on.

I'm sure John Lannan is smirking a bit right now

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"To face that guy twice a year is going to be a headache…He takes away from your enthusiasm for the game a little bit." Justin Tuck on RG3

but haren is NOT looking like a good 5th starter.


do or die

I'm waiting for the radio callers, "Ross Ohlendorf has had two good starts in AAA. We should call him up and send Haren down..."

Also worth remembering: Last year's team was 14-9 on May 1.

started hot last april too. hopefully he can keep it up and be the stopper until Haren figures things out....

This will be worth watching

...especially if the kid comes out looking like an above average major leaguer. honestly, i've always liked Lombardozzi better than Espinoza at the plate and in the field. he doesn't strikeout as much as Espinoza or have his power, but Lombo is solid for someone who'd be 7 or 8 in the order. it's a long season, but this is an intriguing time for the infielders.

I will entertain discussions about Espinosa's issues at the plate, he strikes out a lot and looks lost at the plate as a left-handed hitter more often than anybody wants to see. 20-20 potential is there. He walks a lot. His talent ceiling is a lot higher than Lombardozzi. But yeah, I think there could be a discussion. However, after the last two years, he's pretty much untouchable in the field. Lombo can't hang in that discussion. The only question I have regarding Espinosa in the field is, "Is Danny Espinosa the best defensive shortstop on the Nationals?"

...not sayin' he a Gold Glover, but Danny is such a tease. people keep talkin' potential with him, but he's gotta put it together consistently for me to believe. Davey has worked really closely with him too on defense and offense. he's been a little banged up early on too. if he doesn't bounce back and start to pay off, yeah...all the liking in the world won't protect him from being replaced.

but...whatever gets rendon up faster is fine by me

I say they give him a cortisone shot just for old time's sake.

worried? nope.

its a LONG season


do or die

are they performing up to the standard we expected? nope.

lotta reasons for that but ultimately...the potential is there, i trust davey johnson to motivate & *shrug*

we'll see


do or die

Bullpen seems to be settling in. The outfield has been great so far. Infield is blah. Suzuki stepping up. Starting pitching is inconsistent. They'll get it together.

Less reason to panic when you see the Braves get swept by the Pirates. That'll be a good rematch next week.

We could have three series won by sweep and two lost by sweep in the month of April.

Your 2013 feast or famine Nationals.

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Big plays and tight rope walking abound.

do or die

avoided major injury with Bryce and Strasburg, pen got rest, Haren bounced back and the team goes to Pittsburgh with Zimmerman and a record over .500

again, Jordan Zimmermann is carrying this damn staff on his shoulder

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After tomorrow against the Tigers that's 10 straight against the Cubs, Dodgers, and Padres. That's a 42-58 combined record. Great time to get some momentum into a good measuring stick series against the Giants in 2 weeks.

4-6. honestly, the Nats are lucky to be in second place; they're the only MLB team with a negative run differential and winning record.

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