Posts Tagged ‘Nationals’

Red-Hot Phillies Are Making Their Own Luck…Lots of It

August 20th, 2010

Uh, one problem, Geovany—you forgot the ball...

When things are going well, this is the kind of stuff that happens.

Obviously things are going really well for the Phillies right now: good defense, timely hitting, and absolutely incredible pitching.

But that’s not all. Anyone who’s followed this team for the last four weeks knows the Phillies have repeatedly capitalized on their opponents’ tendencies to commit numerous fielding or throwing errors that have directly led to big innings by the Phils’ offense.

Please know that I’m not saying that the Phillies don’t deserve to have as good a record as they have now. They DO deserve it. Remember, there’s a reason why teams like the Nationals or Royals never seem to win games like this. Bad teams always let the competition off the hook.

Good teams, like the Phillies, truly make the opposition pay for their mistakes, and that’s exactly what the three-time defending NL East champions have been doing for the past month.

Enjoy this look back. You just can’t script this stuff...

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Nationals end Braves’ 4-game win streak (AP)

August 19th, 2010
Back from the minors, John Lannan is racking up quality starts and trimming points from his ERA. Lannan pitched into the sixth inning and Nyjer Morgan had two hits in his return from the disabled list, helping the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Thursday. Lannan (5-5) gave up two runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings, improving to 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA in four starts since he...

Nats’ Willingham likely done for season (AP)

August 19th, 2010
The Washington Nationals say outfielder Josh Willingham is facing knee surgery and not expected to return this season. The Nationals placed Willingham on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday. Manager Jim Riggleman says Willingham will have surgery next week to repair a medial meniscus tear in his left knee.

Braves win on Heyward’s single in 9th (AP)

August 18th, 2010
The Braves know the routine. Get it down to their final swing. Come through with the big hit. Run onto the field to celebrate. The Atlanta Braves did it again in their last at-bat, beating the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Jason Heyward's two-out, run-scoring single in the ninth inning Wednesday night.

MLB: Washington Nationals Sign Top Overall Pick Bryce Harper

August 18th, 2010

The for the second year in a row, the Washington Nationals had the No. 1 overall pick in baseball’s June Draft, and for the second year in a row the Nationals signed that pick to a record setting deal.

Last year, the Nationals signed RHP Stephen Strasburg to a four-year, $15.1 million contract, which was the highest ever to a No.1 overall pick. This year, the Nationals signed No.1 overall pick Bryce Harper to a five-year, $9.9 million contract, which is the highest ever contract given to a position player in the draft.

The Nationals are handing out a lot of crispy lettuce to their No. 1 picks, but as they have seen with Strasburg in 2010, it’s worth the money. The only way the Nationals will be able to compete on a year in and year out basis is if they build through the draft, restocking their farm system, and signing guys like Strasburg, Harper, and Drew Storen (the other first round pick from last year) is a good start.

Like Strasburg, Harper is considered a once-in-a-lifetime talent and was clearly the best player in his draft. The Nationals drafted Harper as a catcher, but he will switch over to right field.

Switching Harper over to right field will get him to the majors and in a Nationals’ uniform in speedy fashion. I expect Harper to be in a Nationals’ uniform by 2012.

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