The Braves and Nationals will start a 3-game series in Washington DC tonight, and that means two things: Rob Dibble, and the decent chance that the Braves will struggle. Fortunately for us, there's a mute button to deal with Dibble and his ridiculous commentating. The other half isn't so easy to fix though.
Since 2008, the Braves are 8-13 against the Nats at Nationals Park. The worst team in baseball the last two and a half years, and the Braves are 5 games under .500 at their stadium. The Nats have 4 walk-off hits against the Braves in the park and the Braves average a measly 3.7 runs per game. This really needs to change. Fortunately for the Braves, this is the best team we've had at any moment since '08 and I feel pretty confident about the series.
The Nationals are 42-57 and have lost 7 of their last 10 games. They are on pace for 67 wins, which would be better than previous seasons. Let's take a look at the offense first.
Offense:
Runs: 402 (14th)
BA: .258 (9th)
OBP: .327 (8th)
SLG: .399 (11th)
HR: 86 (10th)
SB: 70 (3rd)
BB%: 8.5 (9th)
K%: 21.6% (11th)
As you can see, they're a below-average bunch at the plate. The Nats are led offensively by a lethal 3/4/5 combination of Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham. All 3 are having great seasons and carry Washington offensively. Besides those three, Nyjer Morgan is a decent leadoff man with some serious speed. Pudge Rodriguez has slowed tremendously from his hot start in the 1st half, but is still having a solid season. Ian Desmond and Roger Bernadina have potential to be solid players one day, but neither are having very good seasons.
Starting Pitching:
ERA: 4.54 (13th)
FIP: 4.26 (11th)
BAA: .282 (15th)
BABIP: .312 (12th)
WHIP: 1.44 (14th)
K/BB: 1.80 (15th)
That's pretty horrible. Stephen Strasburg is the un-questioned ace of the staff, and he doesn't have much help. Livan Hernandez has been pretty good as the staff veteran, but he's been pretty lucky in 2010 and has fallen off since his great start. Craig Stammen, who'll start Thursday afternoon, isn't very good and neither is Ross Detwiler. J.D. Martin has been pretty solid, but the Braves won't face him in the upcoming season.
More after the jump...
Relief Pitching:
ERA: 3.68 (6th)
FIP: 3.95 (8th)
BAA: .253 (10th)
BABIP: .309 (9th)
WHIP: 1.37 (17h)
K/BB: 2.09 (5th)
When I looked up the stats, I expected to see the Nationals bullpen towards the bottom. They're actually not that bad. Matt Capps has been great as their closer and has 24 saves. Closer-of-the-future Drew Storen has been equally good this year in the 8th innings. Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett have also been solid and feature low ERAs and FIPs. Miguel Batista, Doug Slaten, and Tyler Walker have all pitched occasionally this year and all three have been pretty good as well. The Braves won't be able to rely on late rallies like they did in Florida if they want to win this series.
Pitching Match-Ups:
Tuesday, 7:05EST:
Wednesday, 7:05EST:
Thursday, 12:35EST:
0 recs | 81 comments
Heyward will destroy the imposter who is stealing his hype.
Joseph_C - July 27, 2010
that's what we're all hoping for
southman - July 27, 2010
it'll be death by a thousand pieces
2-3, 2BB
kbertling353 - July 27, 2010
No way Strasburg last that long in the game
for Heyward to face him 5 times
LEastCoastBears - July 27, 2010
just talking about the game in general
kbertling353 - July 27, 2010
heyward's back
and that OBP is climbing back up to where it should be
kbertling353 - July 27, 2010
i had to go with the obvious choice in the poll question
HawksBaseball2 - July 27, 2010
Yeah, I voted for the sweep as well.
Richard R - July 27, 2010
for me, the obvious choice was rob dibble sucks
telemakhos - July 27, 2010
i thought that was the only logical choice
jman07 - July 27, 2010
I was so bummed...
I didn’t see that option until after I had already voted.
sddbaker - July 27, 2010
this
10-4 - July 27, 2010
Braves win 2/3
Braves will take the first 2 then Bobby will sent out his usual white flag lineup in game 3 which the Braves will lose.
redwards95 - July 27, 2010
Your Atlanta Braves' starting pitcher for the game.....Jesse Chavez!
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 27, 2010
White Flag Lineup??
McLouth CF
Cabrera RF
Infante 3B
Hinske 1B
Diaz LF
Gonzalez SS
Ross C
Conrad 2B
KK
joshant - July 27, 2010
Except replace KK with Chavez and Conrad with a sandbag. That would be a true white flag lineup.
KK could actually pitch well enough to hold the Nationals’ offense to one or two runs (and still lose), and having Conrad in the lineup isn’t fair – all that man does is hit grand slams. I think if he spends a little more time with Jason Heyward, he may even learn the secret to hitting grand slams when no one is on base. As for the sandbag as the replacement, I started to say put Glaus or McCann there, but then I realized it would be about the same defensively.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 27, 2010
this
Braves24 - July 27, 2010
i Lol'd
at hitting grand slams with the bases empty. pure awesomeness
ROBravo - July 27, 2010
lol +1 i understand y but still hate wen he does that..i got heyward laceing a liner on his first abat off jesus to which is what they called him on espn to prove he is mortal..thank goodness jhey isnt human tho :) ima tivo this snaz cause this is ganna b a firece matchup for years to come..i jus pray he gives him his best stuff n pitches too him
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
please learn to spell
Mr. Sanchez - July 27, 2010
+1000
I fear, however, that this is how books will be written in 50 years…
jtw126 - July 27, 2010
books? what are books?
bpk228480 - July 27, 2010
he can't spell
but he makes decent points most of the time
kbertling353 - July 27, 2010
Its more of a just me typing to fast n not rereading my post..i do apologize n will go over my posts so the few of u who cant subtract a letter with another right next to each other to see what im spelling :)
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
I'm guessing those rankings are in the NL, right?
When I first saw them, I thought it was in all of MLB!
EyePod - July 27, 2010
I’ll be at the game tonight and the one Thursday afternoon. If you’re around look out for me. Big bear looking dude wearing the Braves road blue hat.
cbwilk - July 27, 2010
I had originally hoped to attend a game or two in this series, since I live about 35 miles from Nationals Park. Unfortunately, it’s not going to work out. At least I’m in-market to get the games on tv (even if I do have to listen to Dibble). Maybe I’ll be able to attend some of the games in the Nationals series September 24th-26th….maybe…. :(
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 27, 2010
and a reverse hitler facial hair
Mr. Sanchez - July 27, 2010
10-4 - July 27, 2010
Did anyone else see that Chris Coughlan may have torn his meniscus trying to sove a pie in the face of Wes Helms after Sunday’s game? A walk-off off of Jesse Chavez is not worth that.
CharlotteChop - July 27, 2010
shove*- not sove
CharlotteChop - July 27, 2010
lmao +1
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
Yes I did. And it was hilarious! Not worth the loss, but funny nonetheless.
Joseph_C - July 27, 2010
u guys know he tore up his knee on that celebration right! lol i dont mean to laugh but ne tym a guy gets injured on a celebration a la morales its alil funny..guess thats jus what happens wen u celebrate aganist the BRAVOS! lolll
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
Spell check is your friend.
telemakhos - July 27, 2010
Spell check is your friend.
telemakhos - July 27, 2010
However, double posts are not your friend
MBL1 - July 27, 2010
I blame internet lag
telemakhos - July 27, 2010
Lol like i stated before i will reread my post before i put them n there is no spell check on my pos<——— piece of shit comp<—- aka computer
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
All these celebratory injuries need to stop!
Somebody call the stars of NBC’s “Chuck”, pronto! We need to make a series of “The More You Know” PSAs about over-celebrating.
Kids these days, I swear.
Jacob Peterson - July 27, 2010
lol i just posted somthing after reading that this morning..whatever happen to the “high five”..smh
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
ne1 else getting tired of seeing those r the braves foreal?! or r they real contenders crap!although i know the power ranking mean squat! they bumped the padres back above us..we havent lead at the break n played this well since 05 and despite the fact we should have swept both the padres and the marlins where still playing great baseball aside from “nate Mcgrounder”..i love the underdog/last hooray for bobby role but i still dont think most analyst think we can stick around..freaggin BASTARDS!
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
Are you a native English speaker?
just curious…
Xshare - July 27, 2010
yes.. i was born in america if thats what you mean
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
I never bother asking that question anymore. The answer always depresses me.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 27, 2010
That's textspeak; English, even 'mercan English is dying....
skymuse - July 27, 2010
What happens when God hits a home run off of Jesus?
MBL1 - July 27, 2010 via mobile
jesus pitches around him in his next abat lol
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
or beans him
kbertling353 - July 27, 2010
I’m not sure but I think it involves a holy ghost.
pchaucer - July 27, 2010
Is it off a curveball?
Mr. Sanchez - July 27, 2010
I think Heyward hits a home run off of Strasburg and Dibble finally shuts the hell up!
Brandon Nickisch - July 27, 2010
I'm calling..
2/3, I think Stras lasts 5 and a third tonight, and we get 4 off of him, and he gets pulled, and we win like… 5-1. Then we win the second game easily, and like redwards said, we’ll probably have the whipping boy lineup out for the finale, and lose by a few runs at least.
truheelzfan44 - July 27, 2010
DC resident here
There are a lot of things wrong with this town – from an arrogant, possibly corrupt mayor, to an inept public transportation system, to hordes of fanny-pack-wearing tourists 365 days a year – but the worst thing DC has to offer to the rest of the world is, BY FAR, Rob Dibble.
jtw126 - July 27, 2010
your school system sucks
kbertling353 - July 27, 2010
Sure does
But the same can be said for most major cities.
jtw126 - July 27, 2010
You forgot the government.
MBL1 - July 27, 2010
At least job security is amazing around DC. God bless the federal bubble.
Pavy848 - July 27, 2010 via mobile
Not sure if you all have heard yet
But the Bravos just ink David Ross to a 2 year extension. Great move to keep that man in the clubhouse!
BravesDawg16 - July 27, 2010
Great news!
HEYJUDE - July 27, 2010
just saw on ESPN"s fantasy news
great proactive move by Wren. Better hitter/thrower than most everyday starters and he’s genuinely happy to backup a perennial all-star, couldn’t have a better backup.
GT_Thrashfan - July 27, 2010
Somebody
should do up a Fanshot!
UMDBHIK - July 27, 2010
couldn’t find a sensible 75 words until more details come out. tried “espn referencing x who is quoting y” etc etc hah
GT_Thrashfan - July 27, 2010
yeap.... just heard
at least we did get a Ross on the trade deadline….
Hektor DiPaula - July 27, 2010
Sweet! love that guy.
MBL1 - July 27, 2010
Frankly, we need to do the same thing with Omar Infante. He is way too valuable to let go too!
BravesDawg16 - July 27, 2010
It feels funny to say this, but in my opinion this Nationals series could have a big impact on the rest of the season. With the Phillies home for the lowly Diamondbacks if we were to lose 2 of 3 or do the unthinkable an get swept, they could be within 2.5 or even 1.5 by the time the weekend arrives.
Guys really have to buckle down and take at least 2 out of 3, and like mentioned above hopefully Bobby doesn’t run out the B-team on Thursday afternoon – especially with Lowe on the mound.
Buffalo Braves - July 27, 2010
+1 we need to try and go for the sweep and show no mercy unless they really need a day off if something like someone geting hit by pitch like what happened to hinske “knock on wood”..if we could maybe get a big enuff lead we could always pull a indy and rest our players towards the end of the season with the lead far safer and the schedule more in our favor
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - July 27, 2010
I think we will win two out of three with a good probability of sweeping. I really want Chipper and Troy to destroy Nats pitching and see a lot of runs.
Braves24 - July 27, 2010
Nyjer Morgan is not a "decent leadoff man"
If you believe the following analysis, http://firejimbowden.blogspot.com/2010/07/out-rate-new-measure-of-offensive-value.html, you’d conclude that Nyjer is actually one of the worst “leadoff men” in MLB. 3rd best? Prado.
PS: Nyjer Morgan sucks at baseball.
fphjr01 - July 27, 2010
that's a flawed analysis
It punishes guys who are aggressive on the basepaths without factoring in any advantage they might bring.
A guy like Ichiro may generate more outs than Prado, but he’s also going to generate about 50 more bases with his speed. And those extra bases will likely compensate for any run differential that might be suggested by a greater out tendency.
DCP916 - July 27, 2010
For anyone watching the game tonight..
with the Washington feed — if you’re on the open thread, please update with the stupidest Rob Dibble comments. I know, it will be hard to choose, but just a few highlights will be highly entertaining.
sddbaker - July 27, 2010
I’ve never heard Rob Dibble, I must be blessed by Jason Heyward
MBL1 - July 27, 2010
He is so irritating.
I listen to MLB radio on XM a lot, and he is on the morning drive show. Also, he was one of my least favorite players when he was a relief pitcher for the Reds; you could just tell what a jerk he was.
He’s one of those announcers/analysts who feels the need to remind the listeners every few minutes that he was a major-league player, and he knows this guy, and he’s big buddies with that guy, blah, blah, blah. He’s also the know-it-all type.
sddbaker - July 27, 2010
It's the constant "we" and "us"
when referring to the Nats, as if he’s wearing the uniform in the booth.
I don’t mind a little homer-ism, especially for a hometown broadcast, but avoiding personal pronouns when referring to the team you cover is Sports Broadcasting 101.
PS. He also NEVER played for the Expionals, er Naxpos, Nationals. I could see it he were broadcasting the Reds, but come on dude…
jtw126 - July 27, 2010
yeah...
That bothers me also.
sddbaker - July 27, 2010
There is a baseball god nate mclouth went down to the minors thank god GO BRAVES!!!!
cali viking - July 27, 2010
hitters
when is Frank Wren going to wake his Ass up and see the Braves needs a Batter? This game Against Washington is Showing the team is not hitting. Get some help are philadelphia is going bnack to First? If you can’t see this maybe john scherhous should replace your stupid ass.
jayball - July 27, 2010
And if Gluas dosen’t start hitting soon they need to sit his ass to all he does lately is fucken strike out and he just did again !!!!
cali viking - July 27, 2010
I'll agree to that shit? Hasn't done anything lately
jayball - July 27, 2010
your english teacher fails at life.
10-4 - July 28, 2010
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