As I begin typing this, Alexander Semin has just scored the third goal for the Capitals to give them a 3-0 lead. This was a lob from Marcus Johansson that Semin shot out of the air past Lundqvist. Ovechkin's goal to give the Caps a 2-0 lead was nothing short of greatness. He blew past Marc Staal and deked Lundqvist and shot it in backhanded. The Rangers were upset with the Caps in the crease after Mike Green scored on the power play, but they only have themselves to blame.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Finally, some wins for the O's!
It's been a strange start to the season for the Orioles. After going 6-1 to begin the season, they went on an 8-game losing streak, but never fear, the Minnesota Twins came to town and the O's are ready to bust out the brooms tonight!
Ron Burgundy Said It Best...
-- "I'm in a glass case of emotion!" --
Last night's Capitals game put even the most loyal fans in a state of fear and doubt before pulling off a 4-3 double OT win.
I'll be the first one to admit that I didn't start following hockey until I jumped on the Capitals bandwagon when they made the playoffs in 2008. However, that's one of the greatest choices I've ever made as a sports fan. I quickly acclimated myself to the sport, watching as many games as I could. I started going to games, despite the growing demand and increase in prices and even got myself a #30 Varlamov jersey after his Superman acts in goal in 2009. I don't consider myself a diehard fan of the sport, but watching the Capitals definitely provides my daily dose of adrenaline during the winter.
I half expected last night's game to be a blowout for either team. The Rangers were going to throw Boudreu's words back at him for insulting their home arena, or the Capitals were going to be so angry for losing game 3 that they were going to prove their dominance over the lowly bluecoats.
However, since their home sweep last week, the Caps hadn't played hockey like a #1 seed should in 5 straight periods, losing game three, and putting themselves in a 3-0 hole in game 4. I literally had my head in my hands. Another flop by a local DC team. You can ask just about anybody that I said weeks before the playoffs, that if the Capitals had to play the Rangers in the first round, then bye bye Stanley Cup.
Someone should have slapped me and told me to get my head on straight.
Everybody knows the Caps changed their playing style to focus on their defense half way through the season, but last night, they finally brought out their true team identity.
The Caps came out in the third period playing like they used to. Forget defense, they had to score goals. We the fans haven't seen that in a long time. After tying the game and going into overtime, they reverted straight back to their new defensive ways, eventually leading to that game winning goal by Jason Chimera, his second game winning goal of the series.
The Capitals proved why they're the best team in the NHL right now. They might not be getting dominant wins, but they're proving their dominance in other ways on the ice. No other team can bring out their inner monster without damaging their normal body. The Caps didn't even look tired in either OT period.
I expect game 5 at home in DC to be like kids at the playground, not just for the fans, but the team as well. The Rangers are depleted, and the Capitals have finally figured out the playoffs, and learned a lot about themselves in the process.
I'm Chris Brese. You stay classy, DC.
Last night's Capitals game put even the most loyal fans in a state of fear and doubt before pulling off a 4-3 double OT win.
I'll be the first one to admit that I didn't start following hockey until I jumped on the Capitals bandwagon when they made the playoffs in 2008. However, that's one of the greatest choices I've ever made as a sports fan. I quickly acclimated myself to the sport, watching as many games as I could. I started going to games, despite the growing demand and increase in prices and even got myself a #30 Varlamov jersey after his Superman acts in goal in 2009. I don't consider myself a diehard fan of the sport, but watching the Capitals definitely provides my daily dose of adrenaline during the winter.
I half expected last night's game to be a blowout for either team. The Rangers were going to throw Boudreu's words back at him for insulting their home arena, or the Capitals were going to be so angry for losing game 3 that they were going to prove their dominance over the lowly bluecoats.
However, since their home sweep last week, the Caps hadn't played hockey like a #1 seed should in 5 straight periods, losing game three, and putting themselves in a 3-0 hole in game 4. I literally had my head in my hands. Another flop by a local DC team. You can ask just about anybody that I said weeks before the playoffs, that if the Capitals had to play the Rangers in the first round, then bye bye Stanley Cup.
Someone should have slapped me and told me to get my head on straight.
Everybody knows the Caps changed their playing style to focus on their defense half way through the season, but last night, they finally brought out their true team identity.
The Caps came out in the third period playing like they used to. Forget defense, they had to score goals. We the fans haven't seen that in a long time. After tying the game and going into overtime, they reverted straight back to their new defensive ways, eventually leading to that game winning goal by Jason Chimera, his second game winning goal of the series.
The Capitals proved why they're the best team in the NHL right now. They might not be getting dominant wins, but they're proving their dominance in other ways on the ice. No other team can bring out their inner monster without damaging their normal body. The Caps didn't even look tired in either OT period.
I expect game 5 at home in DC to be like kids at the playground, not just for the fans, but the team as well. The Rangers are depleted, and the Capitals have finally figured out the playoffs, and learned a lot about themselves in the process.
I'm Chris Brese. You stay classy, DC.
Nationals Split Doubleheader
The Nationals lost the second game of their doubleheader 5-3 against the Cardinals last night. I caught bits and pieces of the game but was glad to see the Nats came from behind twice to tie the game before giving up the final two runs. And once again, the Nationals' starter Zimmermann gave another 6 innings start. These guys need to start giving 6-7 on a constant basis, but I'll take it.
One thing I noticed is that the Nats continue to score runners in scoring position. They're okay about not leaving too many men on base (only a total of 8 the entire day yesterday compared to the Cardinals 19), but the players that get left on base are generally always on 2nd or 3rd base. I think once Ryan Zimmerman comes off of the DL, GM Riggleman needs to make a lineup change. Here's what I would propose:
1. 2B Danny Espinosa - Gets real good hits and is very speedy. However, doesn't walk often.
2. SS Ian Desmond - Desmond gets on cold and hot streaks, not just days.
3. 3B Ryan Zimmerman
4. RF Jayson Werth - We spent a ton of money for his power. Why does he not bat 4th already?
5. 1B Adam LaRoche
6. CF Rick Ankiel - Ankiel has a lot of speed. Think of this as a second leadoff spot.
7. LF Michael Morse/Laynce Nix - Morse hasn't been hitting well as of late, but Nix has. Expect these 2 to continue to take turns in the field for awhile.
8. C Wilson Ramos - Ramos has a lot of power. I put him in the 8th spot only to spread that power, and bring guys like Ankiel and Morse home.
9. Pitcher
I think by spreading the power, this lineup can be a lot better. The way I set it up above splits this team into almost 2 separate lineups, instead of putting all of the weaker hitters at the bottom of the lineup.
Today's game is at 1:45 in St. Louis, and we'll see Tom Gorzelanny against Kyle Lohse. I'm not a big fan of Gorzelanny, and I hate to say it, but Lohse has pitched 2 straight good games. Both teams will be tired and won't want to play a day game after yesterdays doubleheader, but they have Pittsburgh to look forward to starting tomorrow night.
One thing I noticed is that the Nats continue to score runners in scoring position. They're okay about not leaving too many men on base (only a total of 8 the entire day yesterday compared to the Cardinals 19), but the players that get left on base are generally always on 2nd or 3rd base. I think once Ryan Zimmerman comes off of the DL, GM Riggleman needs to make a lineup change. Here's what I would propose:
1. 2B Danny Espinosa - Gets real good hits and is very speedy. However, doesn't walk often.
2. SS Ian Desmond - Desmond gets on cold and hot streaks, not just days.
3. 3B Ryan Zimmerman
4. RF Jayson Werth - We spent a ton of money for his power. Why does he not bat 4th already?
5. 1B Adam LaRoche
6. CF Rick Ankiel - Ankiel has a lot of speed. Think of this as a second leadoff spot.
7. LF Michael Morse/Laynce Nix - Morse hasn't been hitting well as of late, but Nix has. Expect these 2 to continue to take turns in the field for awhile.
8. C Wilson Ramos - Ramos has a lot of power. I put him in the 8th spot only to spread that power, and bring guys like Ankiel and Morse home.
9. Pitcher
I think by spreading the power, this lineup can be a lot better. The way I set it up above splits this team into almost 2 separate lineups, instead of putting all of the weaker hitters at the bottom of the lineup.
Today's game is at 1:45 in St. Louis, and we'll see Tom Gorzelanny against Kyle Lohse. I'm not a big fan of Gorzelanny, and I hate to say it, but Lohse has pitched 2 straight good games. Both teams will be tired and won't want to play a day game after yesterdays doubleheader, but they have Pittsburgh to look forward to starting tomorrow night.
Ryan Zimmerman Rehab
A quote from Ryan himself: "Ran into this guy after rehab today. I think being in the presence of his Tiger blood is already giving my rehab and the team a step up. WINNING!"
Ryan Zimmerman on WhoSay
Ryan Zimmerman on WhoSay
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Nationals win first game of Doubleheader 8-6
The Nationals won their 4th straight game by winning the first game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals 8-6.
The Nationals looked like they were going to blow out the Cardinals in the first game of today's doubleheader. They went into the bottom of the 3rd inning with a 7-0 lead. With the help of Pujols' and Colby Rasmus' solo home runs, the Cardinals came back to within 2 runs at 7-5. Lance Nix gave the Nats an insurance run in the 8th with a solo blast to right field.
John Lannan had another solid start going into the sixth inning. The Nationals have had 16 straight games with their starting pitcher giving at least 5 complete innings.
Unfortunately, this game went longer than it needed to. It's too bad the Nationals relief couldn't keep the Cardinals offense down, because they had to bring in some of their relief stars: Clippard, Burnett and Storen. Let's see how game 2 goes, and hopefully they won't have to make a 2nd appearance.
Lineup changes for the 2nd game include Wilson Ramos in for Pudge Rodriguez at Catcher. At time of writing, I'm not sure of who else is going to start.
I'll post a writeup tomorrow about game 2 and some thoughts about the day in general.
On another note, Caps/Rangers game 4 at 7 pm! C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!!!
The Nationals looked like they were going to blow out the Cardinals in the first game of today's doubleheader. They went into the bottom of the 3rd inning with a 7-0 lead. With the help of Pujols' and Colby Rasmus' solo home runs, the Cardinals came back to within 2 runs at 7-5. Lance Nix gave the Nats an insurance run in the 8th with a solo blast to right field.
John Lannan had another solid start going into the sixth inning. The Nationals have had 16 straight games with their starting pitcher giving at least 5 complete innings.
Unfortunately, this game went longer than it needed to. It's too bad the Nationals relief couldn't keep the Cardinals offense down, because they had to bring in some of their relief stars: Clippard, Burnett and Storen. Let's see how game 2 goes, and hopefully they won't have to make a 2nd appearance.
Lineup changes for the 2nd game include Wilson Ramos in for Pudge Rodriguez at Catcher. At time of writing, I'm not sure of who else is going to start.
I'll post a writeup tomorrow about game 2 and some thoughts about the day in general.
On another note, Caps/Rangers game 4 at 7 pm! C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!!!
Nationals at Cardinals Postponed
The Nats and Cards game was "rained out" last night. A huge storm rolled through Saint Louis bringing bouts of thunderous rain, giant hail and tornado warnings around their schedule game time yesterday. Fortunately, the stadium is still in tact and today looks like a great day for baseball!
They'll play a double header today, the first game starting just after 2 pm EST, and the second around 8:15 pm EST. The Nationals haven't played since Sunday, when they swept another double header against Milwaukee. Expect John Lannan to come out refreshed and ready to pitch in the first battle. He has a history of putting some hurt on the Cardinals. He doesn't strike out many, but he doesn't let them get on base too often either. He faces Jake Westbrook, who hasn't been terribly great so far this season, so this should be a good matchup for the Nationals, who are hoping to earn their first 4-game winning streak on the season. Their last 4-game streak came at the very end of last year.
Game 2 places Jordan Zimmermann against Jaime Garcia, who has faced the Nationals just once in his career. This will be an interesting fight as both pitchers have had Tommy John Surgery in the last 2 years, and are still working to find their groove with their respective teams.
I'll post a quick review of the first game later this afternoon, but will likely miss the second game to watch the Capitals play game 4 in New York tonight. I'll catch what I can though.
Oh! One last interesting note. If the Nationals win both games today, and the Phillies and the Marlins both lose their games, the Nationals will be tied for first place in the NL East. The probability of this happening? Pretty low. Cliff Lee is on the mound for the Phillies, and he's just as dominant this season as he has been in the past.
They'll play a double header today, the first game starting just after 2 pm EST, and the second around 8:15 pm EST. The Nationals haven't played since Sunday, when they swept another double header against Milwaukee. Expect John Lannan to come out refreshed and ready to pitch in the first battle. He has a history of putting some hurt on the Cardinals. He doesn't strike out many, but he doesn't let them get on base too often either. He faces Jake Westbrook, who hasn't been terribly great so far this season, so this should be a good matchup for the Nationals, who are hoping to earn their first 4-game winning streak on the season. Their last 4-game streak came at the very end of last year.
Game 2 places Jordan Zimmermann against Jaime Garcia, who has faced the Nationals just once in his career. This will be an interesting fight as both pitchers have had Tommy John Surgery in the last 2 years, and are still working to find their groove with their respective teams.
I'll post a quick review of the first game later this afternoon, but will likely miss the second game to watch the Capitals play game 4 in New York tonight. I'll catch what I can though.
Oh! One last interesting note. If the Nationals win both games today, and the Phillies and the Marlins both lose their games, the Nationals will be tied for first place in the NL East. The probability of this happening? Pretty low. Cliff Lee is on the mound for the Phillies, and he's just as dominant this season as he has been in the past.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Nats Weekend Roundup (Winning! Duh...)
Great weekend for the Nationals and their fans. Saw a lot of great things this weekend from the whole team. In the first game of yesterday's double header, every starter got a hit, including the pitcher. Pudge hit his first home run of the season, and it was a sweet 3-run shot. Danny Espinosa had 6 RBIs with a 3-run HR, and a bases loaded, bases clearing triple yesterday. And Jayson Werth ran hard on the bases to score the winning run in the 10th inning on Friday. A sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers came at a beautiful time in the season: the beginning. Let me show you what I mean.
Notice the dates for those series sweeps. Except for their inaugural 2005 season, the Nationals never achieved their first sweep until at least a couple of months into the season. (Essentially when their season was already over).
Last year (2010), their first sweep wasn't until June against the Pirates, who at the time were essentially a minor league AAAA team. And the first game of that particular series? Stephen Strasburg's astonishing major league debut. So of course the team was clearly just riding along the awesome train for that sweep.
Also notice, all of their first sweeps are at home, except in 2008 against Seattle. But the 2008 Mariners team was the second worst team in baseball. Just slightly ahead of who? The Nationals of course. So that series doesn't even count as games played.
So here's what I'm getting at: getting this first sweep just 3 weeks into the season shows the turn around this team is going through. The Nationals may only have a handful of popular players, but they're the only team in MLB who has gotten 5 or more IPs from their starting pitchers in every game so far. They have 3 relievers contending for the closer spot. They have a clear candidate for Rookie of the Year in 2B Danny Espinosa (I used to watch him play in Potomac). Ryan Zimmerman is a back-to-back Silver Slugger (and should be back-to-back Gold Glover). Their only blowout this year was an 11-2 loss to the Braves in their opening weekend. But that's nothing to be ashamed about. They even had somewhat respectable losses to Philadelphia's kings Lee and Halladay.
Don't get me wrong, the Nats aren't making the playoffs this year or next, because as an NL East team, you have to win the division to make the playoffs since there are too many other good teams out west. But when Ryan Zimmerman comes off the DL, and Strasburg makes it back into the rotation next season, and big shot Jayson Werth picks up his bat some more, this team is going to be great. And they're going to be great quickly, and they're going to be great for a long time. Jump on the bandwagon now and start supporting the Nationals. Tickets to the games are fair priced (especially from StubHub) and the stadium is gorgeous, and it's a fun time for everybody, so go hit up some games (might I suggest April 30 for free umbrella day against the reigning World Series champs?)
The Nats are off today, with away series at St. Louis (where Carpenter won't be pitching this series and Pujols is in a slump) and Pittsburgh. Expect the Nationals to come back home next week to face the Mets with a positive attitude and a contending winning average.
| Year | First Sweep |
|---|---|
| 2011 | April 15-17 (vs Mil) |
| 2010 | June 8-10 (vs Pit) |
| 2009 | August 4-6 (vs Fla) |
| 2008 | June 13-15 (@Sea) |
| 2007 | May 11-13 (vs Fla) |
| 2006 | May 23-25 (vs Hou) |
| 2005 | April 14-17 (vs Ari) |
Notice the dates for those series sweeps. Except for their inaugural 2005 season, the Nationals never achieved their first sweep until at least a couple of months into the season. (Essentially when their season was already over).
Last year (2010), their first sweep wasn't until June against the Pirates, who at the time were essentially a minor league AAAA team. And the first game of that particular series? Stephen Strasburg's astonishing major league debut. So of course the team was clearly just riding along the awesome train for that sweep.
Also notice, all of their first sweeps are at home, except in 2008 against Seattle. But the 2008 Mariners team was the second worst team in baseball. Just slightly ahead of who? The Nationals of course. So that series doesn't even count as games played.
So here's what I'm getting at: getting this first sweep just 3 weeks into the season shows the turn around this team is going through. The Nationals may only have a handful of popular players, but they're the only team in MLB who has gotten 5 or more IPs from their starting pitchers in every game so far. They have 3 relievers contending for the closer spot. They have a clear candidate for Rookie of the Year in 2B Danny Espinosa (I used to watch him play in Potomac). Ryan Zimmerman is a back-to-back Silver Slugger (and should be back-to-back Gold Glover). Their only blowout this year was an 11-2 loss to the Braves in their opening weekend. But that's nothing to be ashamed about. They even had somewhat respectable losses to Philadelphia's kings Lee and Halladay.
Don't get me wrong, the Nats aren't making the playoffs this year or next, because as an NL East team, you have to win the division to make the playoffs since there are too many other good teams out west. But when Ryan Zimmerman comes off the DL, and Strasburg makes it back into the rotation next season, and big shot Jayson Werth picks up his bat some more, this team is going to be great. And they're going to be great quickly, and they're going to be great for a long time. Jump on the bandwagon now and start supporting the Nationals. Tickets to the games are fair priced (especially from StubHub) and the stadium is gorgeous, and it's a fun time for everybody, so go hit up some games (might I suggest April 30 for free umbrella day against the reigning World Series champs?)
The Nats are off today, with away series at St. Louis (where Carpenter won't be pitching this series and Pujols is in a slump) and Pittsburgh. Expect the Nationals to come back home next week to face the Mets with a positive attitude and a contending winning average.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Washington's unfortunate Game 3 loss....
Well... it had to happen at some point... the Capitals had to lose in the playoffs...
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