I'm going to go with door number one, for blessing.

Where do you stay in Manhattan, Barry?

(You can just name the general neighborhood, rather than the specific property, if you like. Judging by how enthusiastically you were greeted at the Planet NJ tailgate, the chance of your attracting stalkers is a live possibility.)

Ditto natsfan1a re blessings on and from Bacsik.

And grateful thanks to Mike for stepping up this season whenever and wherever asked. That's an example I hope current and future Nats carry with them for a long time to come.

From Prior Thread......"Congratulations to our next beat writer.....Eli Saslow"

God NO.....check out this persons work last weekend - can't even find the home team clubhouse!

See Sunday, September 23, 2007; Page D01

What'd Justin Maxwell do wrong last night? Hit the ball too far?

Larry Beinfest, GM, Marlins - 1 ring
Pat Gillick, GM, Phillies - 2 rings
John Schuerholz, GM, Braves - 2 rings
Omar Minaya, GM, Mets - rings on the way

Fantasic stuff. No kidding.

============================

What'd Justin Maxwell do wrong last night? Hit the ball too far?

Posted by: We Want Justin | September 26, 2007 06:55 PM

Mike Bacsik

When I said it the other day, I had no idea that it might actually come close to happening... if we win tonight, Atlanta wins the next two, and then take the first game against the Phillies, we can pretty much finish beating up on the Mets, eliminate the Phillies, and it would still be a longshot for the Braves to make the wildcard. San Diego's magic number is two (to eliminate the Braves)... so... with our two wins, we pretty much will have determined who makes the playoffs from this division.

That's my new optimal scenario.

Barry, I'm going with blessing--for you, that is. Just think, if you were writing about Stan's old team, you could have been on the 7 train with John Rocker.

One reason the Nats will win tonight: Phillip Humber has not started a game since August.

The balls is carrying and two bad pitchers on the mound, this may end up looking like a football score.

Wigi - What happens if there's a 3 way tie for the wild card?

Flynnie:

In that case, the fourth place team in the National League East is the wildcard *grin*.

Actually, I don't know off the top of my head. I thought I saw someone post something about it in the previous thread.

Or estuartj, or Bob or any of you sages - what happens if there's a 3 way tie for the wild card? Coin flip, odd coin wins, then 2 playoff games with playoff loser having to play 2? Head to head records? Oh, that would be fun!

Re coin flips, Cosmo posted this link earlier:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070907&content_id=2194382&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Well, at least Dave got to say "buttocks" again with the hit batter. I'm sure he thought Colome's recovery was his last chance for that.

Hill being out really suck, this should have been a great chance at a win, but Bacsik just doesn't have the juice to start ve this quality a line-up.

We'll see if Hanrahan can do any better with his "half" of this start.

Well, daggonit anyhow, Mike.

Thanks, Hendo. "The coin flips do not address two other possible scenarios: Three-way ties, and ties involving two teams from the same division already assured of postseason participation.

In the latter event, the first tie-breaker would be the head-to-head regular-season series between the teams to determine which club is the Division Champion and which club is the Wild Card.

Should three clubs finish the season with the same winning percentage, one of which as a division winner and the other as a Wild Card, playoff games would be played as follows:

• The two teams tied for the division lead play the one-game tie-breaker, with the winner being declared the division champion.

• The losing team in that game then plays the club from the other division for the Wild Card. "

estuartj -Love that expectation to sweep the Mets at Shea! Also loved Charlie's, "from Flushing Meadows, but I've never found the Meadows."

i cant believe it. keep touching em on the shoulder you bum.....

right on church, right on.

I just got home. Holy smokes. Someone tell Bascik this isn't BP!!

"Ryan Church with a 2 run homer, and it's the hand on the shoulder! Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson put his hand on Humber's shoulder, and the next pitch was hit out of the park! This is the third time that's happened!"

I love Dave Jaegler!

Barry, what did you mean, because it was his day to pitch you weren't able to ask Bascik about it?

Barry's awesome. Looks cute when he's sleeping.

Starting pitchers don't talk to the media the day they pitch. There are some exceptions -- John Smoltz, most notably. But in general, if you need something from a starter, get it on one of the four other days. (He will, of course, speak afterward.)

So, Churchie having a night. Now that Bacsik's out, we might have a game.

Notice how Church has as many HRs as Kearns in not much more than half the at-bats. And, before Kearns got hot the past month (i'm NOT complaining!), Church was clearly outperforming him. I think he'll always "have potential" but needs a couple things:
1. fix that hole down-and-in which just seems huge at times;
2. come to play everyday;
3. play somewhere where he's appreciated (or at least feels appreciated).

All that said, I don't think he's the answer in NatsLand, especially with JMax coming up, WMP here for next year, and Kearns will have a chance to let the new ballpark help him.

I like the Nook in CF the first half of the year idea; give him the off season to work exclusively right-handed and show his stuff. If JMax is ready, call him up. Either way, Nook becomes a good 4th OF/PR or trade bait if does anything like his last 3 months.

(sorry, busy couple days at work so just catching up on the last couple posts!)

Cool. A little insider nugget. Thanks.

Just noticing how Hanrahan is the "anti-Bacsik" in style on the mound. Maybe the two should plan to finish each others' starts?

Think about this a sec: you take Bacsik's junk-balling lefty "control" and Hanrahan's fastballing all over the plate, and it's tough for a lineup to adjust, no?

Dear Mike Bacsik:

If you're not pitching someplace next year, will you please pitch to me at next year's Home Run Derby?

Or maybe we can just send Hanrahan out there in Bacsik's jersey every other inning and really keep them off balance.

why in the world would they pitch Hanrahan two days after throwing 100+ pitches? That doesn't sound healty, are they wanting him to fail?

Ronnie Belliard, professional hitter! Yay, Ronnie.

I think the wheels are about to fall off tonight Mets bandwagon. Zim could tie it right now...

That's weird. Gameday just completely missed Belliard's at-bat. I assume it was a double?

Never mind. Got it. Go Kearnsy!!!

Did the Angels come into town to bat for us this inning? Who needs dingers when you get 5 hits in a row?

re: Hanrahan pitching tonight,
it's his throwing day, but I'm surprised too. He's really got to work on his walks if he's going to be part of a MLB team again. The Nats gave him a chance, but he just gives up too many free passes. Good stuff, but i'm thinking there's something mental, because it sure isn't physical.

Yeah, WMP! nice 2-bagger! shot!

I don't care if he got caught in the rundown, Way To Go Willy Mo!!!!

That was fun to watch... I almost feel bad for the Mets... I feel worse for the Mets when I think about the fans they have.

estuartj:

It probably actually worked out better, because they would have probably ended the inning with Schneider (instead of Fick), and that would have had the pitcher's spot starting off next inning... where now, Schneider can try to get on, and then they can hit Maxwell.

Gotta diagree Wigi, always take the guy on 2nd with 1 out - especially with them reeling from the rally. Once you get up down don't take your boot off their throats.

ryan church not motivated? are you joking? he is pursuing 50 doubles despite being benched in favor of nook logan who has all the speed in the world and steals once a blue moon.

Saul comes in for the 7th, do you go with the usual suspects in the 1 run game even though both Rauch and Cordero pitched last night (and did not pitch well).

Yes, Rauch then Chad. This is our (.500 competitive 2008) team.

Cue John Mellencamp.

Looks like Rauch might pitch 2 innings.

"Thanks, Billy.
I needed that."

WTG Ryan Church! 43 doubles, 70 RBIs for the season, who wants to get rid of this guy?

We hit Rauch out of the game, but it looks like it will be Ayala for the 9th...

I really like Ayala, but he didn't look so hot yesterday. Holding breath.

Nobody

Say

Anything

Line of the night:

Don: Nothing sinister, Chad's just getting the night off

Bob: After one day pitching in a row

:x

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!

Boy, it feels great to sweep the mets and to have won more games than we did last year. GO NATS!

We did it. We swept the Mets. And we beat last year's record. I'm in awe.

WAHOOOO!!!!

(sorry downstairs neighbors for all the jumping up and down!)

YES!

Now, let's kick some Philly Phannies!
Go Rockies!

I don't believe I'm over-stating this. I've never been more proud to be a Nats fan. They may not be in the Playoff Race themselves, but they are a HUGE factor.

Congratulations boys! Awesome series.

Another classic by 506.

______________

Nobody

Say

Anything

Posted by: Section 506 (Before moving) | September 26, 2007 10:30 PM

Nats better get some love in mainstream media tonight.

It's not going to be about what the Nats have done well this series, it's going to be about what the Mets have done poorly.

==================

Nats better get some love in mainstream media tonight.

Posted by: NatsNut | September 26, 2007 10:38 PM

MKevin, thats exactly what it is on Baseball Tonight right now, not one word about how the Nats have played like champs.

That was amazing... I was watching the Mets feed and they were complaining about their bullpen... but at the same time, Darling was calling the pitch, and the Nats hitters were just right there... it was like they knew what they were going to throw.

The Mets are gonna have their hands full with Florida.

If only there was a way to eliminate the Phillies AND the Mets.

I wonder if the Nats will go to the Phillies game tomorrow?

Can you imagine if the Mets don't make the post-season? Some possible off-season slogans:

Mets:
"Saved our energy for October. '08, that is"

Phillies:
"Thank you, Nats! - wait, that's not how that goes ***k you, Nats!"

Nats:
"Mets hate us!"
"Nats = Capitol Punishment"
(although I'm not a fan of CP, I think it's good ink)

A sweep and it feels so good.

If there's a three way tie for the wild card, all the teams should be forced to play us.

Some quick Church stats for you.

Hitting .385 in September with 6 2Bs, 17 RBI, and 4 HRs.

Mind you, this is all in just 39 ABs.

I ask again, why is he sitting the bench?

Wigi: "If only there was a way to eliminate the Phillies AND the Mets."
----

Next year, brother. Next year - there IS a way! Go Nats! OVENS STAY HOT!!!

(apologies to SC NatsFan on that one)

Sweet, sweeping the Mets at Shea and sending in the locusts to empty the seats again. Also, I do believe that we have just clinched the MASN CUP! Wooooooooooooo! You're next, Marlins!

I have to admit that I cheated a bit... I was watching Baseball Tonight when I made that prognostication :-) Until now that is... they're getting ready for a Barry* video tribute. Puke. I think I'll switch to The Ultimate Fighter on DVR.

=========================

MKevin, thats exactly what it is on Baseball Tonight right now, not one word about how the Nats have played like champs.

Posted by: natsinthevalley | September 26, 2007 10:42 PM

You are correct. The magic number going into tonight for the MASN Cup was 2. O's lost, Nats won. That's it!

========================

Also, I do believe that we have just clinched the MASN CUP!

Posted by: natsfan1a | September 26, 2007 10:48 PM

No Church on "Touch Em All" - of course Beltran makes in in a LOSING cause... at least Zimm got the #2 "WebGem".

For all those calling for Church to play again. Remember about a month or two ago, when Church himself said he didn't mind getting days off, and that he more or less gets tired over the course of the year playing everday? Maybe he's playing better now b/c he is comfortable with the role that he has. Maybe he is in fact, literally, the perfect 4th outfielder. play him 3 out of ever 7 days or so to rest the other oufielders, give him 300-400 ABs. Sound good?

It feels like Christmas in September.

9cherries,

If he doesn't start here, which it is my belief that he should, then we need to keep him. I hope this is him, saying that he can perform in a 4th outfielders job.

We should definitely start him in the next 3 games though, gotta go with the hot bat.

Go Nats!

NatsNut: It's just $15 a month to watch the games live on the computer, and $15 a year to hear the games. Even if you live in the DC Metro area, it's worth the investment. No one should have to rely solely on Gameday,

Unrelated: What's with the picture of Belly on the WaPo Nationals page today? Looked like he was doing the Hustle.

We Want Justin: Manny was clear in his intention to be fair. This is a playoff hunt, and he wants both the Mets and the Phillies to get the same looks. Maxwell started one game against Philadelphia, and he'll start exactly one game against New York. This is entirely fair, and I respect the decision.

Flynnie: that's exactly why we love Charlie. "From Flushing Meadows, but I've never found the Meadows." Good lord, that's a great call. And as far as "hand on the shoulder" goes, yeah, that's why we love Dave. Great posts, Flynnie.

Barry: I was going to ask you about the asterisk, but I thought it would be laughed down.

Estuartj: Angels? Now that's good baseball talk. I love the small ball. Honestly, if the Nats are going to single their way to victory, I'd prefer that to the AL, slug-your-way-to-victory approach. And I definitely agree with your "boots off their throats" point of view.

Bob L. Head: Cue John Mellancamp? "This is our .500 team." Post of the day (and that usually goes to Hendo or 506 [BM]).

I was going to mention that earlier cept I think I was going to say it looked like Travolta's dance number from "Stayin Alive".

=====================================

Unrelated: What's with the picture of Belly on the WaPo Nationals page today? Looked like he was doing the Hustle.

Posted by: John in Mpls | September 26, 2007 11:40 PM

So to run-down the list...

Not the Worst Team in Baseball
Clinched, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 9/26/07

Not the Worst Team in the National League
E#: 1, Florida Marlins
E#: 1, Pittsburgh Pirates

Not the Worst Team in National League East
E#: 1, Florida Marlins

Not the Worst Team Covered by the Washington Post Consistently Throughout the Season Counting Consistency as an Article Daily With No Consideration of the Merits of the Article or with the Merit OF and Article
Clinched, Baltimore Orioles, 9/26/07

Not the Worst Nationals Team in Our Three Year History
Clinched, 2006 Washington Nationals, 9/26/07

I'm proud of you boys, great job. That last one was the most important achievement of all on the list, because it shows progress. I couldn't really care less about the others, though it does make me pleased to see the Orioles behind us for a third straight year.

Now, just go out there and have fun ruining some Philly evenings.

Great gamer tonight.

Couple of things:

1. I stay at one of two Marriott properties on the east side (easier access to Grand Central and the 7). You'll find us sport writers are slaves to Marriott points. Gets us free vacations.

2. You know why Cordero didn't come in? Read the gamer. Oh, all right, I'll tell you: he was throwing up in the bullpen. "It was weird," he said. Ya think?

3. That's a pretty thorough collapse by the Mets. Three leads of at least four runs blown against the lowest-scoring team in baseball in a 10-day span? Wow. Nats score 32 in three games here. Wow. Nats have used at least four pitchers in 22 straight games. Wow.

4. I have a feeling this weekend in Philly is going to be phun.

Couple of things:

1. I stay at one of two Marriott properties on the east side (easier access to Grand Central and the 7). You'll find us sport writers are slaves to Marriott points. Gets us free vacations.

2. You know why Cordero didn't come in? Read the gamer. Oh, all right, I'll tell you: he was throwing up in the bullpen. "It was weird," he said. Ya think?

3. That's a pretty thorough collapse by the Mets. Three leads of at least four runs blown against the lowest-scoring team in baseball in a 10-day span? Wow. Nats score 32 in three games here. Wow. Nats have used at least four pitchers in 22 straight games. Wow.

4. I have a feeling this weekend in Philly is going to be phun.

Couple of things:

1. I stay at one of two Marriott properties on the east side (easier access to Grand Central and the 7). You'll find us sport writers are slaves to Marriott points. Gets us free vacations.

2. You know why Cordero didn't come in? Read the gamer. Oh, all right, I'll tell you: he was throwing up in the bullpen. "It was weird," he said. Ya think?

3. That's a pretty thorough collapse by the Mets. Three leads of at least four runs blown against the lowest-scoring team in baseball in a 10-day span? Wow. Nats score 32 in three games here. Wow. Nats have used at least four pitchers in 22 straight games. Wow.

4. I have a feeling this weekend in Philly is going to be phun.

. . . Gives new meaning to the term "Hurler."

So I'm walking out of RFK (where the backstop wires have been taken down, but the foul poles are still up, and the Nats Team Store is an empty shell) after having watched DC United beat Chivas de Guadalajara 2-1 (21k-plus crowd, pretty evenly split between DCU and Goats fans), and I check my cellphone for text messages. One of them says:

"Nationals beat Mets, 9-6, WP: Joel Hanrahan(5-3), LP: Joe Smith(3-2)"

First question that came to mind:

"We WON?!?"

Second question that came to mind:

"We SWEPT da 'Mazin' Mets?!?"

Third question that came to mind:

"HANRAHAN?!? Are you [RF]-ing KIDDING ME?!?"

Had to watch Baseball Tonight and Comcast Sportsnet when I got home just to make sure I wasn't seeing things...

Oh please Gawd, help us give those obnoxious Phillies Phans who showed up at RFK nightmares.... :-)

9-9 vs. the mets this year. at one time the mets looked destined for the world series as the consensus best team in the NL. are we really on par with the mets? thats why they play the games.

Hurler - great one, Wigi.

Watching the game last night, down 4-0, I knew we were still in it. The Mets had nobody they could send to the mound that could hold us. I never thought I would be able to say such a thing.

MASN's been showing graphics comparing our runs per game pre- and post-Wily Mo. Something like 3.8 - 5.2. Sorry I don't remember exactly. Any thoughts - can replacing Nook with WMP be expected to make a 1.4 rpg difference? What other factors relate? Some of this accomplished wiht WMP on the bench after the HBP. Small sample size of course, crappy Mets pitching, better production throughout the lineup - Church, Fick!, Schneider, Kearns, Belliard, youngsters replacing FLop. Can one guy have such an impact?

I was thinking last night what a GOOD line-up that would be with Mr. Young at first base. There is some nice pop in that line-up.