Comeback Nats!

[89Hen]

Went to see one of the hottest teams in baseball last night. The Nats won their sixth in a row (all come from behind wins) scoring seven unanswered runs in a 7-2 win over Oakland. Ryan Church is tearing it up; 4 for 5 last night with a HR, triple, two singles and 3 RBI. The last time a Washington team lead this late in the season was 1933. DC is starting to get a little fired up for this team.

On another great note, one of the other hottest teams is my Phillies who are now in second place by themselves behing the Nats and are 0.5 game up for the wild card lead. I know it's still early, but it is almost summer!

[blukeys]

The Expos have been a decent organization that got the maximum out of a small payroll budget.

89 Now that the Nats are in D. C. are they going to be able to raise the payroll so they can keep the young talent the Expos had to let go?

[89Hen]

What I've heard is that they are well over budget right now with attendance so they do have some money to pick up a player or two if they're still in contention close to the trade deadline. There were over 28,000 there last night for a mid-week interleague game. Not too shabby. Right now they're 12th in the league with an average of 31,774. They budgeted based on around a 25k average. If my math is correct, that should put them more than three million dollars ahead of budget by the halfway mark in the season and about seven million for the year. IF they continue to be in contention, that average should even grow a little.

[eaglefan452]

The NL east is so crazy and close right now, that a team can have a bad weekend and literally go from first place to last. Last weekend I think the last place team (the Phillies I believe) were a game and a half out of first.

[89Hen]

The East could end up like the A10 of years gone by. Everyone good, but nobody great. Every team is over .500 right now. In the power rankings from Tuesday they are very tight and with the way things went Tuesday and Wednesday, expect it to become even tighter.

8 Braves
10 Mets
12 Nationals
14 Phillies
15 Marlins

[Ivytalk]

Frank Robinson deserves a lot of credit for Washington's success. I still see the NL East as a 5-way race to the end, but I think the Marlins will pull it out with their fine young starters. The only dud has been Al Leiter.

[89Hen]

LAST night was win number SEVEN in a row. Phillies also win, Marlins lose, Mets lose... what a great night!

[saint0917]

Went to see one of the hottest teams in baseball last night. The Nats won their sixth in a row (all come from behind wins) scoring seven unanswered runs in a 7-2 win over Oakland.

Man my A's suck this year. :( :( :bawling: :bawling: Washington is playing very good right now. :nod:

[eaglefan452]

Man my A's suck this year. :( :( :bawling: :bawling: Washington is playing very good right now. :nod:

I guess "Billy-ball" isn't working for the A's anymore.

[saint0917]

I guess "Billy-ball" isn't working for the A's anymore.

Nothing is working for the A's anymore, I don't even think "Billy Ball" would help. :(

[Marcus Garvey]

PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, they'll crash down soon, they always do. In fact, all Philadelphia sports fans are "cautiously pessimistic." It's the only thing that allows us to keep our sanity as our teams let us down year after year after year after year after year after year after.....

[89Hen]

NINE in a row for the Nats, FIVE in a row for the Phillies! Both teams are on fire!!!! :D :D

[Ivytalk]

Why don't the damn Nats lose so the Phils can gain ground?? :confused:

[Marcus Garvey]

Has anybody read up on this Mid-Atlantic Sports Network deal that MLB cooked up to keep that a-hole Angelos happy? Apparently the new network will broadcast both the Nationals' and the Orioles' games. However, something like 80% of the revenue goes to the O's. That's going to make selling the Nats to investers a little tough.

On top of that, Comcast, who currently broadcast O's games, have broadcast rights through 2006 and exclusive negotiating rights with the O's through this November. By even comming up with MASN, Baltimore may be in breach of contract. Plus, Comcast has rights to match any offer made, and the O's have to deal with Comcast. This is going to get ugly.

I won't even go into the stadium issues D.C. is having right now. My prediction is that the Nats will be in RFK Stadium though at least 2010. Although not "ideal," by today's standards for MLB stadiums, it is at least a "serviceable" facility for big-league baseball.

[ngineer]

This thread started before the Phillies made their trade with Detroit for Urbina. With a shored up bullpen (Cormier, Madson and Urbina) setting up Wagner, the Achilles Heel may be covered.

[89Hen]

TEN in a row for the Nats, 13 of last 14, and a 12-1 homestand

SIX in a row for the Phils, 15 of last 17, and a 12-1 homestand

:hyped: :hurray:

[89Hen]

Well, it had to end sometime. I just hope they don't get it in their heads that they can only win at home. :)

[89Hen]

One in a row! Back on track!! :D

[saint0917]

One in a row! Back on track!! :D

Two in a row :)

[Ivytalk]

Ol' Frank went jaw to jaw with Scioscia the other night in the "foreign substance" rhubarb that got Donnelly tossed. Now that's entertainment!

[89Hen]

Sat in the dugout last night while line-ups were being exchanged at home prior to the game. Good for Frank! They beat Colon the only way you can... 1-0. Man, this team is on a roll!

[eaglefan452]

Ol' Frank went jaw to jaw with Scioscia the other night in the "foreign substance" rhubarb that got Donnelly tossed. Now that's entertainment!


I think that Frank might have been able to take him, even though he is in his 70's.

[Baldy]

Is the end near?
The Braves have beaten Wood, Maddux, and Prior in consecutive games and have chopped the Nats lead to just 3 games. With Smoltz on the mound tonight, there's a good chance the lead will be only 2.5 games come morning.

What say you Nationals fans?
Will the bullpen last?
Can MLB's worst offense begin to score runs, How?
Can the Nats 'hang'?

[AgentOrange]

Not sure if you guys up there in the no-so Northeast know the details, but how many opportunities are there to see either the Nationals or the Orioles in a day game, and follow up later that evening in the other park??
I saw something on SC about a few fans that did that earlier this season, thought that was pretty sweet.

I could consider it for our TX teams. Astros always play day games on Sunday unless they're nationally televised, and the Rangers up in Arlington play their Sunday games at night, regardless. It's that 3 1/2 drive that bothers me.

What's a three hour drive to you all up there? How many states can you pass through in that time?

[89Hen]

I'd have to check the schedules. The Nats have taken to Thursday day games (there's one today in DC and an Orioles game tonight in Balt). Traffic is the big problem Without it, it would only be about 50 minutes from stadium to stadium, but with traffic it would be twice that.

BTW, give me 3.5 hours and I can make NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, DC, WV and only another 30 mintutes gives me NC.

[faxjusfax]

Enough with Nat' Mania already.

Hope everyone noticed that my Mets took 3 out of 4 at RFK stadium.

Be wary of the Mets, even though like my Philly brethren, I know the Mets will break my heart again.

But I do believe this may be the start of the Nationals downfall this year. They have been exciting, but playing over their heads.

As long as the Braves or Marlins don't win the NL east, I'll be happy.

[89Hen]

Enough with Nat' Mania already.

Hope everyone noticed that my Mets took 3 out of 4 at RFK stadium.
The Mets aren't chasing Washington. I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but they are 2-7 vs. Atlanta this year. The Mets and Phillies are Atlanta's bitches. Ten more games against the Braves... the Mets could find themselves 13 games behind Atlanta there alone.

The Nats, having not been in contention in forever, may not have the same demons that the other East teams have when it comes to Atlanta. They're too green and too happy to just be playing in front of fans instead of empty seats to be scared.

[AgentOrange]

Enough with Nat' Mania already.

Hope everyone noticed that my Mets took 3 out of 4 at RFK stadium.

Be wary of the Mets, even though like my Philly brethren, I know the Mets will break my heart again.

But I do believe this may be the start of the Nationals downfall this year. They have been exciting, but playing over their heads.

As long as the Braves or Marlins don't win the NL east, I'll be happy.
Thank you for giving me a chance to rip on another NY team.
Yes,I admit that I'm jealous of the Carlos Beltran thing, but it warms my heart to see him out of the All Star game and the Mets scraping the bottom of the well in the NL East. Even with Pedro on board, Cliff Floyd is your only decent player. And what was Piazza thinking trying to stretch his hit into a double last night. Gotta love that 9-1-6 double play to end the inning. Can't believe that guys and AllStar. Freakin; fan vote.

[Go...gate]

Let's Go Mets!!! :cool:

[blur2005]

The Mets aren't chasing Washington. I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but they are 2-7 vs. Atlanta this year.
Remember, the Mets ALWAYS suck against the Braves. I don't know, ever since Chipper (known as Larry to the Mets fans) smacked the crap out of them in '99, the Mets can't ever win a solid number of games against the Braves.

[89Hen]

Remember, the Mets ALWAYS suck against the Braves.
And the Braves always win the division.

[blur2005]

And the Braves always win the division.
Yep. It should stay that way, too. :)

:deadhorse
TOMAHAWK CHOP!

[89Hen]

Is the end near?
The Braves have have... chopped the Nats lead to just 3 games... there's a good chance the lead will be only 2.5 games...

What say you Nationals fans?
Will the bullpen last?
Can MLB's worst offense begin to score runs, How?
Can the Nats 'hang'?

At the break it's 2.5 games (3 in the loss column). Some of the magic of the one run game wins has gone the other way lately, but as banged up as the Braves have been, the Nats have had just as many injuries. Nick Johnson and Ryan Chuch who were key figures during that great home stand in June are both out right now. Vinny Castilla can barely jog on his bad knee. Junior Spivey, although not a huge addition, is out for up to three months. If they get Johnson and Church back healthy and pick up a pitcher or two in second half trades, I think they have a great chance at holding on to this thing.

[blueballs]

The Atlanta Urinal and Constipation reported this morning that Hudson and Hampton have both been cleared to pitch this coming weekend.

I thnk the Nats need another stick worse than pitching, but they could certainly use both. What they've (and the Braves) done to this point is great for the game of baseball.

[Ivytalk]

The Phillies were lucky to take 2 out of 3 from Washington over the weekend. All were tight one-run games. There was a playoff atmosphere at "the Cit."

[89Hen]

All were tight one-run games. There was a playoff atmosphere at "the Cit."
Really? I was amazed at how quiet it was when the Phillies tied it on a two run homerun in the late innings yesterday.

[Ivytalk]

I went to Friday's game (the one they lost) and it was pretty intense and boisterous. I'll admit that there was a post-game fireworks show, but it was pretty loud during the game. Ryan Howard put on a show that night as well: two booming RBI doubles and just missing a game-tying HR off the Nats' All Star closer in the ninth.

[faxjusfax]

The Phillies were lucky to take 2 out of 3 from Washington over the weekend. All were tight one-run games. There was a playoff atmosphere at "the Cit."

Hmmm. First the Mets take 3 out of 4, then the Phillies take 2 out of 3. A good time for the All-Star break for the Nats. eh?

[89Hen]

Perfect timing. Especially since I'm going next Wednesday night and I'd like them to still be in first. :D

[eagleskins]

Perfect timing. Especially since I'm going next Wednesday night and I'd like them to still be in first. :D

And they are supposed to be getting Johnson and Church back after the break.

[89Hen]

And they are supposed to be getting Johnson and Church back after the break.
Johnson won't be back right away. Church and Guzman are hopefully back though.

[ngineer]

This will be a huge week coming off the break. Phillies weren't lucky beating the Nats 2/3 before the break. They won in a way that can cause a spark for the second half, but they'll have to make the move now with Florida in town. I would try packaging a deal with Thome to get some catching help for the future. Lieberthal is on the downside and nothing in the minors. Ryan Howard looks like the real deal and I'd keep him. With Utley that's a heck of right side of the infield that's very good and young.

[Baldy]

I would try packaging a deal with Thome to get some catching help for the future. Lieberthal is on the downside and nothing in the minors.

I guess that Kevin Milwood for Johnny Estrada trade wasn't as one sided as everyone thought. John Schuerholz is a friggin' genius.

[Ivytalk]

I see the Nats just got Preston Wilson from the Rockies for Zach Day. Washington wants more "pop" in its lineup, but Preston whiffs a lot.

[89Hen]

They specifically needed a left handed bat. Hopefully sea level won't bring his HR totals down too much.

[blueballs]

I see the Nats just got Preston Wilson from the Rockies for Zach Day. Washington wants more "pop" in its lineup, but Preston whiffs a lot.

Wilson hit just fine in Miami, which is as "sea level" as it gets. He can also go get it in the outfield too. If he stays healthy this is a nice pickup for the Nats.

[ngineer]

I guess that Kevin Milwood for Johnny Estrada trade wasn't as one sided as everyone thought. John Schuerholz is a friggin' genius.

Couldn't agree with you more---and that doesn't happen alot! :D

[Marcus Garvey]

I would try packaging a deal with Thome to get some catching help for the future. Lieberthal is on the downside and nothing in the minors.

Thome would be tough to trade. The Phils would have to eat most of his contract.

I agree with the Lieberthal asessment. Who know he'd slip when they traded Estrada? That's one of those deals that you just couldn't forsee....

[faxjusfax]

Hmmm. First the Mets take 3 out of 4, then the Phillies take 2 out of 3. A good time for the All-Star break for the Nats. eh?

Trouble still BREW'ing? (lost to the Brew Crew last night).

[Ivytalk]

But the Mets beat the Bravos at Shea, so the Nats didn't lose any ground. Big NL East weekend coming up, with Florida at Philadelphia as well.

[faxjusfax]

But the Mets beat the Bravos at Shea, so the Nats didn't lose any ground. Big NL East weekend coming up, with Florida at Philadelphia as well.

Getting excited about the Mets again (David Wright 2 HRs and Mike Piazza bombed one out last night).

But alas, it's Glavine against his old mates tonite. What is he, 1-8 against them since he left? I'll start a new "Ya Gotta Believe" chant if Glavine wins tonite, if not, The Mets will probably meander around .500 the rest of the year.

[ngineer]

Just when one thought the pitching might be kicking in (just before the break the Phils won two tight one-run games from the Nats. Now the Marlins are in town and 'holy cow' it seems like they're kicking field goals out there. Phils win 13-7 last night and Marlins hold on tonight 9-7, with Philly having two on and one out in bottom of ninth and Burrell and Howard fail to deliver...