I think this is just the 2nd or 3rd game at the park for me this year … and we picked a great day and a great game. We got there early and caught the pre-game ceremony. Here’s a couple of pictures from the day.
Pre-game Ceremony at Nats Park 9/11/16. Photo Todd Boss
Here’s a view using IPhone’s panoramic view.
Panorama of 9/11/16 pre-game. Photo Todd Boss
No other analysis/comment here; just wanted to put these two cool pictures up. I wasn’t fast enough to get the fly-over.
Great seats, too!
KW
12 Sep 16 at 12:52 pm
That was section 126, Row R. Red carpet reward seats from a vendor buddy of mine who actually has 2nd row on the left-hand corner of the Nats dugout. Row R is the last row before a wall and 5 foot rise to the 100-level box seats. But yeah i’d take those seats any day.
Todd Boss
12 Sep 16 at 1:02 pm
I asked a question about Gioilto in the Longenhans Fangraphs chat today:
Todd Boss
1:53 Lucas Giolito question; lost of angst in Nats-land over his diminished velocity and lack of command this year. Is it all related to mechanical issues (as he recently admitted)? Is he a victim of hype and actually isn’t as good as he purportedly was supposed to be?
Eric A Longenhagen
1:53 More a victim of impatience, as are most all prospects.
Todd Boss
12 Sep 16 at 2:57 pm
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eric-longenhagen-prpospects-chat-912/
Todd Boss
12 Sep 16 at 2:57 pm
I was out and about this evening and didn’t get to see Latos before he cramped, or hurt himself, or whatever it was. What did you guys think? If he isn’t injured, did he do enough to get himself into the conversation? If he can’t pitch, maybe he showed enough bat to take over at 1B . . . (Boz was speculating in his chat today that Drew may start getting a serious look at 1B if things don’t improve there.)
KW
12 Sep 16 at 10:02 pm
Here’s Latos’ pitch f/x data: http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/pfx.php?month=9&day=12&year=2016&game=gid_2016_09_12_nynmlb_wasmlb_1%2F&pitchSel=502009&prevGame=gid_2016_09_12_nynmlb_wasmlb_1%2F&prevDate=912&league=mlb
I did not get to watch enough of the game to comment. His numbers look decent; good sustained velocity, lots of pitches, decent max velocity. Not a ton of swing and miss,but he got the Ks when he needed them. Decent strike percentage.
Todd Boss
13 Sep 16 at 8:59 am
If Latos isn’t hurt, I’d now have him slightly ahead of Cole. If Ross comes back, I’d give Latos another start or two.
KW
14 Sep 16 at 5:15 am
I’ll try to get something going here, or maybe this can spark Todd to a new post. Here’s the question: now that the Nats have truly vanquished the Mets (barring a collapse of biblical proportions), what’s left for the last 16 games?
1. Stay ahead of the Dodgers (currently +5). Any edge in the NLDS will be vital.
2. Figure out which starters are healthy. I think Ross is supposed to start this Sunday. The silence on Stras is deafening, so we have no idea where he stands. With both of those guys potentially not up to snuff, you have to figure that there are potential playoff roster openings for Latos and/or Cole (if Latos is healthy; if he isn’t, then perhaps Lopez gets in the picture).
3. Get everyone some rest, but not too much that the edge gets lost. It will be interesting to see if Stephen Drew gets a look or two at 1B during the R&R time for the starters. Robinson hasn’t hit much recently, and he’s a defensive liability, so I don’t expect to see him in the field much during the playoffs.
4. Can Zim find his mojo? There’s been a lot of talk recently about his high exit speeds that should eventually offset high extremely low BABIP. If there’s ever a time to have balls start dropping, it’s now.
5. Rest Melancon. Except for the HR in the tie game, he’s been money.
6. Sort out the lefties in the ‘pen. It’s now or never for Solis to start proving he’s healthy. Scrabble looks like a lock for the postseason roster. Dusty has given Perez a couple of recent high-leverage chances to try to prove himself. Burnett is still unscored upon but hasn’t gotten much work.
7. Sort out the righties in the ‘pen. Melancon is closing, and Kelley seems to be the 8th inning guy, although he makes me nervous. Glover had looked great until a couple of recent disasters. Treinen was the nastiest he’s been all season in the last game against the Mets. Petit hasn’t been seen much recently and may be on the bubble for the postseason. Hard to see Dusty leaving Belisle off, though. Can Gott do anything to get himself into the conversation? Are they thinking about Lopez as a bullpen guy?
KW
16 Sep 16 at 8:03 am
Just new posted! Ladson did an inbox 🙂
Todd Boss
16 Sep 16 at 4:59 pm