Thursday, May 04, 2006
Nats Lose, Lerner makes annoucement, game tonight
Well, like lots and lots of others have noted and reported on, the Nationals lost last night 6-5 to the lowly Florida Marlins. At this point I'm becoming concerned that the team won't be able to right itself this season, no not because they lost last night but because the team is in a transitional period. Unless the new guys hit the ground running, that is after being confirmed around May 17-18 by the other MLB owners, then the team will be stuck in this holding pattern for a good part of this season. The current team management will be, or more than likely will be, replaced at some point by the new owners, and now that new owners are a reality instead of some longish term promise the current management team knows that their days are numbered, and therefore their decision-making generator will probably be a little numb. Even if the new owners have a grand plan ready to implement immediately, what exactly can they do now in late May (when they will officially take over the team, unless I'm misreading that vote taken at "May 17-18 MLB owners meeting" situation)? Make lots of trades? Well, my mind just went blank, so I'll have to move on . . .
Game Tonight: Due to various reasons, I find that it is a lot easier to pay attention to the Nationals when I'm actually able to see them in person, though the tv can be a good alternative it isn't always available, and I only use the internet to watch day games (if I remember that it is a day game). So, lucky me, I'm off to see the Nationals tonight and through Saturday (if I don't fall down overcome by the weight of my stuffed head).
So, we need some pitchers, right, to play baseball?
Livan Hernandez will take the mound for the Nationals, with his 1-3 record and 5.49 era in 6 games started (and don't forget that Hernandez started off with the Marlins in 1996 (just 1 game) and pitched for them until 1999). Livan is currently averaging almost 7 innings a game (exactly 6 innings each in the first three games, and almost exactly 7 IP in the next three games started (once moving into the 8th inning and getting 1 out). In those 39.1 innings pitched, Livan has thrown 628 pitches, 395 for strikes, and that averages out to 104.7 pitches a game. Against Florida, Hernandez has a record of 10-5 with an era of 2.66 in 20 games started, though his overall career numbers at RFK is a record of 7 wins and 10 losses with an era of 4.21 in 19 GS and 1-1 (4.09 era) in 3 games started against Florida at RFK.
For the Marlins: 22-year-old 6'7'', 240 pound right-handed relief/starting pitcher Joshua Michael Johnson (Josh Johnson). Johnson made his MLB major league debut last year and started 1 game, while pitching 3 games in relief (12.1 IP, 10 SO, 10 BB, 3.65 ERA). In that first MLB start, Johnson went 5.1 innings, and gave up two earned runs off of four hits, four walks and was able to strike out seven batters (thanks Marlins game notes). This season, Johnson has a record of 1 win and 2 losses, all in seven games of relief. If Johnson actually takes the mound tonight, this will be his first start of the season. In relief, he has pitched 11.2 innings, giving up 7 hits, 6 runs (5 earned) 1 HR and has struck-out ten while walking nine batters. On the road this year, Johnson is 1-2, with an era of 7.94 in 3 games. Oh, and this isn't Johnson's first appearance against the Nationals, for one of his relief appearances of 2005 came facing the Nationals batters for 1 inning of shut-out work. For those that arrive early and wish to try to spot him, he apparently wears the number 55 on his jersey.
Marlins Batters:
1B: At first the Marlins have Mike Jacobs (17, roster number) and Wes(ley Ray) Helms (18; and 3B) listed on their depth chart. Jacobs is currently hitting .179 in 78 at-bats in 22 games and has hit 3 home-runs and driven in 13. This is Jacobs second season in the majors and hit .310 in 30 games in his rookie season of 2005. Helms is hitting .290 this year in 21 games. OBP: .353, SLG: .484. Jacobs is their starting first baseman, at least according to the Marlins press guide.
2B: Dan(iel Cooley) Uggla (6), currently hitting .286 in 25 games with 4 HR and 12 RBI and 3 SB. .340 OBP and .469 SLG, 17 SO, 7 BB. No stats available last three years in MLB, rookie? Alfredo Amezago (4; and SS), .250 in 16 games, 1 walk, 6 SO, .276 OBP.
SS: Hanley Ramirez (2) is currently hitting .287 in 25 games (101 AB), with 2 HR, 10 RBI and 7 SB. 12 walks and 27 SO. .368 OBP and .455 slg.
3B: (Jose) Miguel Cabrera: Miguel is currently hitting .315 in 89 at-bats in 25 games, with 4 home-runs, 14 RBI, 3 SB, 19 BB, and 20 SO (.445 OBP and .551 SLG).
Catcher: Olivo, Treanor & Willingham handle the catching duties, with Willingham getting the majority of the work (though in LF), with Olivo close behind him in time played (as in he is the starting catcher). Miguel (Eduardo) Olivo (30) is currently hitting .250 after 19 games and 60 AB, with 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB, 1 BB, 17 SO and an on-base-percentage of .292 and a slugging percentage of .500. Matt(hew Aaron) Treanor (20) is currently hitting .241 in just 29 at-bats in 11 games played (2 walks, 8 SO, 2 RBI). Josh(ua David) Willingham (14) is currently hitting .326 after 89 AB in 25 games with 5 HR, 22 RBI, 1 SB, 12 BB, 14 SO and an OBP of .415 and a SLG of .607.
OF: Josh Willingham covers LF, with C. Aguila and R. Abercrombie serving as his backup in LF. Reggie Abercrombie (61) starts in CF and is currently hitting .209 in 67 AB in 20 games. Eric Reed (1) serves as Abercrombie's backup in CF, and is currently hitting .115 in 26 AB in 20 games. Chris(topher Louis) Aguila (3) starts in RF and is currently hitting .233 in 60 AB in 21 games. Joseph Edward Borchard (--) serves as Aguila's backup in RF and is hitting .222 in 9 ab in 6 games (and he last saw action on April 21st).
Starting Line-up (So far)
1: Ramierz (SS), Reed (CF, 1 game? or 1 AB), Amezaga (SS)
2: Herrida (RF, not on active roster), Ramierz (SS), Uggla (2B), Amezaga (SS)
3: Caberra (3B)
4: Jacobs (1B), Willingham (C)
5: Willingham (C), Jacobs (1B), Helms (1B)
6: Uggla (2B), Aguila (RF & LF), Olivo (C)
7: Olivo (C), Aguila (RF), Treanor (C), Abercombie (OF)
8: Reed (CF), Abercombie (OF), Treanor (C)
9: Pitcher
Ground-Breaking-Ceremonies
Oh, and about 27 minutes ago, Frank Robinson, Brian Schneider and Marlon Anderson were scheduled to appear at the ground-breaking ceremonies for the new baseball stadium at Half and O Street (I assume nothing prevented this occasion from occurring).
Game Tonight: Due to various reasons, I find that it is a lot easier to pay attention to the Nationals when I'm actually able to see them in person, though the tv can be a good alternative it isn't always available, and I only use the internet to watch day games (if I remember that it is a day game). So, lucky me, I'm off to see the Nationals tonight and through Saturday (if I don't fall down overcome by the weight of my stuffed head).
So, we need some pitchers, right, to play baseball?
Livan Hernandez will take the mound for the Nationals, with his 1-3 record and 5.49 era in 6 games started (and don't forget that Hernandez started off with the Marlins in 1996 (just 1 game) and pitched for them until 1999). Livan is currently averaging almost 7 innings a game (exactly 6 innings each in the first three games, and almost exactly 7 IP in the next three games started (once moving into the 8th inning and getting 1 out). In those 39.1 innings pitched, Livan has thrown 628 pitches, 395 for strikes, and that averages out to 104.7 pitches a game. Against Florida, Hernandez has a record of 10-5 with an era of 2.66 in 20 games started, though his overall career numbers at RFK is a record of 7 wins and 10 losses with an era of 4.21 in 19 GS and 1-1 (4.09 era) in 3 games started against Florida at RFK.
For the Marlins: 22-year-old 6'7'', 240 pound right-handed relief/starting pitcher Joshua Michael Johnson (Josh Johnson). Johnson made his MLB major league debut last year and started 1 game, while pitching 3 games in relief (12.1 IP, 10 SO, 10 BB, 3.65 ERA). In that first MLB start, Johnson went 5.1 innings, and gave up two earned runs off of four hits, four walks and was able to strike out seven batters (thanks Marlins game notes). This season, Johnson has a record of 1 win and 2 losses, all in seven games of relief. If Johnson actually takes the mound tonight, this will be his first start of the season. In relief, he has pitched 11.2 innings, giving up 7 hits, 6 runs (5 earned) 1 HR and has struck-out ten while walking nine batters. On the road this year, Johnson is 1-2, with an era of 7.94 in 3 games. Oh, and this isn't Johnson's first appearance against the Nationals, for one of his relief appearances of 2005 came facing the Nationals batters for 1 inning of shut-out work. For those that arrive early and wish to try to spot him, he apparently wears the number 55 on his jersey.
Marlins Batters:
1B: At first the Marlins have Mike Jacobs (17, roster number) and Wes(ley Ray) Helms (18; and 3B) listed on their depth chart. Jacobs is currently hitting .179 in 78 at-bats in 22 games and has hit 3 home-runs and driven in 13. This is Jacobs second season in the majors and hit .310 in 30 games in his rookie season of 2005. Helms is hitting .290 this year in 21 games. OBP: .353, SLG: .484. Jacobs is their starting first baseman, at least according to the Marlins press guide.
2B: Dan(iel Cooley) Uggla (6), currently hitting .286 in 25 games with 4 HR and 12 RBI and 3 SB. .340 OBP and .469 SLG, 17 SO, 7 BB. No stats available last three years in MLB, rookie? Alfredo Amezago (4; and SS), .250 in 16 games, 1 walk, 6 SO, .276 OBP.
SS: Hanley Ramirez (2) is currently hitting .287 in 25 games (101 AB), with 2 HR, 10 RBI and 7 SB. 12 walks and 27 SO. .368 OBP and .455 slg.
3B: (Jose) Miguel Cabrera: Miguel is currently hitting .315 in 89 at-bats in 25 games, with 4 home-runs, 14 RBI, 3 SB, 19 BB, and 20 SO (.445 OBP and .551 SLG).
Catcher: Olivo, Treanor & Willingham handle the catching duties, with Willingham getting the majority of the work (though in LF), with Olivo close behind him in time played (as in he is the starting catcher). Miguel (Eduardo) Olivo (30) is currently hitting .250 after 19 games and 60 AB, with 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB, 1 BB, 17 SO and an on-base-percentage of .292 and a slugging percentage of .500. Matt(hew Aaron) Treanor (20) is currently hitting .241 in just 29 at-bats in 11 games played (2 walks, 8 SO, 2 RBI). Josh(ua David) Willingham (14) is currently hitting .326 after 89 AB in 25 games with 5 HR, 22 RBI, 1 SB, 12 BB, 14 SO and an OBP of .415 and a SLG of .607.
OF: Josh Willingham covers LF, with C. Aguila and R. Abercrombie serving as his backup in LF. Reggie Abercrombie (61) starts in CF and is currently hitting .209 in 67 AB in 20 games. Eric Reed (1) serves as Abercrombie's backup in CF, and is currently hitting .115 in 26 AB in 20 games. Chris(topher Louis) Aguila (3) starts in RF and is currently hitting .233 in 60 AB in 21 games. Joseph Edward Borchard (--) serves as Aguila's backup in RF and is hitting .222 in 9 ab in 6 games (and he last saw action on April 21st).
Starting Line-up (So far)
1: Ramierz (SS), Reed (CF, 1 game? or 1 AB), Amezaga (SS)
2: Herrida (RF, not on active roster), Ramierz (SS), Uggla (2B), Amezaga (SS)
3: Caberra (3B)
4: Jacobs (1B), Willingham (C)
5: Willingham (C), Jacobs (1B), Helms (1B)
6: Uggla (2B), Aguila (RF & LF), Olivo (C)
7: Olivo (C), Aguila (RF), Treanor (C), Abercombie (OF)
8: Reed (CF), Abercombie (OF), Treanor (C)
9: Pitcher
Ground-Breaking-Ceremonies
Oh, and about 27 minutes ago, Frank Robinson, Brian Schneider and Marlon Anderson were scheduled to appear at the ground-breaking ceremonies for the new baseball stadium at Half and O Street (I assume nothing prevented this occasion from occurring).
