71!
71 wins! I had 'em in the high 60s, and didn't really think that 71 was possible.
I don't think the on-field success proves they're on the right track (although they are), since so much of it was built of the backs of the Bacsiks, Bowies and Belliards of the world, stopgap players filling out a roster.
Still, I'll take it. It's been a surprisingly entertaining that isn't quite over!
Today's 10-run outburst was only the second time the Nats have put up 10 runs in back-to-back games. They torched Florida for 11 in two straight games back in September '05. The power bats over the last few days have certainly been a pleasant surprise, and are hopefully a sign of what's to come in the shorter-fenced ballyard on the Anacostia.
Colorado!? is up early, and can tie for the Wild Card lead with a win!? Atlanta's just 2 out!? SD is down early, and they'd be one back. I'm rooting for a giant tie.
I don't think the on-field success proves they're on the right track (although they are), since so much of it was built of the backs of the Bacsiks, Bowies and Belliards of the world, stopgap players filling out a roster.
Still, I'll take it. It's been a surprisingly entertaining that isn't quite over!
Today's 10-run outburst was only the second time the Nats have put up 10 runs in back-to-back games. They torched Florida for 11 in two straight games back in September '05. The power bats over the last few days have certainly been a pleasant surprise, and are hopefully a sign of what's to come in the shorter-fenced ballyard on the Anacostia.
posted by Chris Needham at
11:00 PM
9 Comments:
What's coming at the shorter fences down by the Anacostia is a lot more of Chad Cordero getting lit up by deep fly balls that might have stayed in at RFK.
Detroit needs pitching to patch up its mess and Comerica may be the only place that can hold Chad anymore. Just an idea.
Colome can carry his bags when they leave.
By
Anonymous, at 9/26/2007 12:00 AM
Actual question (non sarcasm division): Can a pitcher with decent commadn of his pitchers, like Cordero, adjust his pitching style to cope with different types of ballparks? More directly, can a Cordero or Rauch adjust his pitching to lessen the likelihood of flyballs to better suit a new short-fenced park?
By
Unknown, at 9/26/2007 12:07 AM
Actually if you look at the dimensions, the new park isn't THAT much smaller than RFK. The only big change is the power alley to right-center field. Cordero has command and movement on his pitches; I think it's really more of a question of whether he has his good stuff on a given night.
In any case, that heavy, humid, potomac air ain't gonna help too many balls out. It's not like we're moving into Coors next april!
By
Rob B, at 9/26/2007 12:44 AM
Chris -- can you do a rundown of Cordero's performance away from RFK? I'm wondering if our perceptions of his road performance may be colored by some of his more dramatic meltdowns.
By
Anonymous, at 9/26/2007 7:56 AM
The Nats just hung on to win 10-9, giving up six runs in the bottom of the 9th. Not surprisingly, Chad Cordero played a role. He was brought in when there was one out, the deficit had eroded to 10-6, and there was a man on first. I suppose that constituted a save situation. At any rate, The Chef retired no one, but he did gave up a single, a walk and a double. The double scored all three runners. John Rauch came on to get the next two batters to strike out and fly out.
I hope The Chef is serving up meatballs in another city next year. I’d rather see Rauch as the closer. I can no longer deal with the drama.
By
Anonymous, at 9/26/2007 7:57 AM
rob b - Believe it or not, higher humidity actually decreases the air density, so it decreases the drag. Therefore, balls travel further when it is more humid.
Cordero's splits can be found here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=cordech01&year=2007
His home/away 2007 stats are not that much apart.
By
Anonymous, at 9/26/2007 8:57 AM
I also find this an interesting, entertaining team. But there are relatively few of us intrigued by spunk.
Many people just view the Nats as a team that was out of the pennant race by the first couple weeks in the season and stayed out. A spoiler role (during football season) has only so much charm.
As to the excitement of slashing the payroll in half and winning just as much as last year, I'm afraid too many of my casual baseball friends just yawn at that. They didn't get any of that saved money.
I guess the idea is that the new ballpark will sustain interest for a couple seasons, and then when the new park is wearing off as an attendance draw, the farm products will start to produce at the MLB level. With a couple key FA additions by then, this region will become Nats faNATics.
I guess that will work. What do you think, Chris?
Until then, the Nats will have to patch up a few positions (Coco Crisp at CF?).
By
Anonymous, at 9/26/2007 9:10 AM
Thanks, Rob b, for the split info on Cordero. i don't agree with you that his stats aren't so different. Just take ERA: it's 3.00 at home and 3.94 away. OPS is 709 at home vs. 775 on the road. Assuming I'm reading it correctly, that is significant.
Another reason to let the chief go. I don't see how you can expect a closer to be effective who has a 90 mph fast ball.
By
Unknown, at 9/26/2007 10:27 PM
As Soriano taught us, you can't make a meaningful judgment off of one year's worth of home/road splits.
For his career, he's virtually the same home v road.
By
Chris Needham, at 9/26/2007 10:29 PM
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