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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2011 19:38:25 GMT -5
Washington Nationals (26-25) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (27-23) Was: Jeremy Hellickson (3-2, 3.79) LAD: Martin Perez (6-1, 2.90) When Bryce Harper was taken with the first pick of the 2010 draft, the consensus was that it was only a matter of time before Harper would develop into a superstar. More specifically it was four years. After an impressive September 2012 debut, and a strong, but modest, rookie campaign last year, Harper has ascended into the game's elite. He's presently hitting .325 with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs, numbers that put him on pace for over 50 home runs, and over 160 RBI's. He had a seven game stretch against the Giants, Mets, and Cardinals where he had at least two hits in every game, hit .666, smacked nine home runs, drove in 25 RBI's, and scored 16 runs. It was one of the most prolific seven-game stretches in baseball history, one that several commentators described as "awe-inspiring." However, after homering and driving in three two games later, Harper has hit only one home run and drove in five runs, and only has three multi-hit games, coinciding with a stretch against good pitching teams. That stretch continues with the NL West-leading Dodgers, who despite breaking down most of their 2012 World Series runner-up roster, are in good shape to return to the postseason. They've done on the backs of their pitching, particularly Martin Perez. After coming up as a reliever with Texas, and being shipped to Los Angeles in the Ryan Braun trade, the lefty Perez has thrived with a .290 ERA and a 6-1 record. Perez owes his success to getting leadoff hitters out. With no outs in an inning, hitters are batting just .161 off Perez, with an OPSof .499. His ability to throw in the upper 90's allows him to challenge hitters, while his curveball is his strikeout pitch, and his changeup allows him to get some deception, particularly against righties, who are hitting just .211 off him. With an outstanding defense behind him, whatever mistakes PErez makes are immediately cleaned up. The Dodgers are second in zone rating, but miles ahead of any other NL team in defensive efficiency. The battle of Perez and the Dodgers defense versus Bryce Harper could determine the winner of the ballgame. Questions for the GM's. For Adam Olson, Harper has struggled since his early-May barrage. Which version of him is more "authentic," the early-June monster, or last year's strong, but modest performer? Youngster Jose Ramos has been compared by some to be the next Vinny Castilla. However, the power hasn't come yet. Where do you project this guy's future to go? Finally, the Nats had major trouble scoring runs during a streak where they lost 11 of 13. Last week they picked things up a bit, both with the runs and with the wins. What was the catalyst? For Tomas Bekker, your team left 27 runners on base during your losing three-game set with the Marlins. Where does your lineup need to improve the most? Rebel Ridling is 1-14 in his last four games, how do you get him to snap out of his funk? Finally, Deolis Guerra, Ramon Troncoso, Ronald Bellasario, Hong-Chih Kuo, and Jonathan Broxton each provide different skills, and each has performed admirably in boosting the Dodgers to the top of the NL West. Describe each pitcher and what makes the bullpen so special.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2011 19:56:50 GMT -5
Oh I really like this match up! I think Martin Perez is a stud in the making! I tried to acquire him from Texas when I first joined PBL.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2011 20:29:52 GMT -5
For Adam Olson, Harper has struggled since his early-May barrage. Which version of him is more "authentic," the early-June monster, or last year's strong, but modest performer? No way he or anyone repeats his June for a whole season. He is the real deal and only 21 years old still. He still has yet to develop his power to his max as well as his discipline at the plate. You are looking at someone who could be really special, not just a strong modest performer. Youngster Jose Ramos has been compared by some to be the next Vinny Castilla. However, the power hasn't come yet. Where do you project this guy's future to go? How about a young Ricardo Sosa? I could see him hitting .290+ with 30+ and 100+ RBI for many seasons, if he gets the at-bats. Even though he isn't fully developed yet, there is room for improvement in the power category. More playing time = more chances for Ramos to succeed. That is the question with Sosa still on the roster and still being able to produce at a high level. It was only recently that I made Ramos the everyday 3B with Sosa getting in some at-bats from time to time. Ramos enters his first full season in the bigs at 24 (still considered a rookie) and should be able to hit behind some great bats in Harper, Freeman and Heyward. He will take some lumps here and there but should be fine to excel at the level this year. Finally, the Nats had major trouble scoring runs during a streak where they lost 11 of 13. Last week they picked things up a bit, both with the runs and with the wins. What was the catalyst?Not completely sure but when I would watch replays of the games we lost, hitting with RISP was VERY POOR. I have tried to switch up the lineup a few times so that may have worked.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2011 17:50:47 GMT -5
Perez actually pitched yesterday- not sure why it shows him as pitching today's game. Hopefully, Garza will pitch or this will be an easy one for the Nats.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2011 19:15:42 GMT -5
Hopefully Tomas would be able to clarify.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2011 20:23:47 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 3:15:18 GMT -5
Anyone want to take the recap of this one?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 7:00:49 GMT -5
This is a quick writeup. I wrote another one which mysteriously dissapeared after I checked the preview.... ANNOYING!!!!
How does a pitcher win a game by throwing just 106 pitches over 8 innings? By getting ahead in the batting count and keeping the ball low in the strike zone.
Matt Garza, not thought of as a groundball pitcher, was nothing if not efficient and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Washington Nationals on a chilly summer night at Dodgers Stadium. The heart of LA's lineup did some damage for the Dodgers as Luis Ramon Arzeno hit his 11th homerun in the 3rd inning and RF Blake Smith continued his heater by hitting his 4th home run in 6 games in the sixth inning, proving to be the game-winning run. There were some tense moments though thanks to the Dodgers infield defense which committed 3 errors. But Garza was able to keep a level head and earned the win tonight. Then Broxton entered in the 9th inning to shut the door, earning his 11th save.
Washington, on the other hand, have some questions to answer because right before this game started Bryce Harper, catching pheonom, was mysteriously scratched from the starting lineup. In his absense, Washington's bats really struggled and only mustered 5 hits against Garza. A bright spot, however, was Jason Heyward who hit a mammoth shot in the 3rd inning. Other than that, the Nationals looked flat, especially the young pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, who looked lost without his favorite batterymate.
Washington: 4 Los Angeles: 5
W: Matt Garza (6-3) L: Jeremy Hellickson (3-3) S: Jonathan Broxton (11)
questions to follow
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 7:08:49 GMT -5
To Los Angeles:
Blake Dewitt committed 2 errors tonight. Luckily, it didn't matter because Garza was on point. THere are grumblings around your organization that AAA 3B Austin Gallagher is a whistker away from being called up to replace Dewitt. Any truth to this rumor??
Another rumor is that you have put Rebel Ridling on the trading block. You just acquired him, he his your best batter, and you are in first place. If this rumor is true, why on earth would you risk losing him at this point in the season??
Black Smith is white hot at the moment. Any plans to move him into the four-hole??
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 7:16:38 GMT -5
To Washington:
Give us the scoop. Why didn't Bryce start tonight. Word on the street is Harper's car broke down outside a West Hollywood bathhouse and he couldn't find a lift in time for the opening pitch. Can you confirm??
Heyward hit a bomb tonight. However, its only his 4th of the season, are you concerned?
In what areas do the Nats need to improve to catch division leading Braves this season?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 8:00:50 GMT -5
Damn, I didn't even know the Dodgers we're in the GOTW until now.
Great write-ups as always guy's! I really enjoy reading this stuff!
I'm a little busy now, but I'll try to come with some answers later today.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 8:30:35 GMT -5
I wish Bryce Harper was given days off against any team but the Dodgers!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 8:38:37 GMT -5
I wish Bryce Harper was given days off against any team but the Dodgers! we don't know what the real story is until wash GM answers the question...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 8:42:48 GMT -5
I wish Bryce Harper was given days off against any team but the Dodgers! we don't know what the real story is until wash GM answers the question... LOL!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 16:17:36 GMT -5
Blake Dewitt committed 2 errors tonight. Luckily, it didn't matter because Garza was on point. THere are grumblings around your organization that AAA 3B Austin Gallagher is a whistker away from being called up to replace Dewitt. Any truth to this rumor??
There is no point in denying this rumor, so yes it is true and it might be very soon.
Replacing DeWitt is not something we take lightly though. Yes he committed 2 errors tonight, but overall he has been excellent defensively for us. On the other hand there is also no denying Blake's .224 batting AVG and .661 OPS. That just won't cut it on a contending team.
Another rumor is that you have put Rebel Ridling on the trading block. You just acquired him, he his your best batter, and you are in first place. If this rumor is true, why on earth would you risk losing him at this point in the season??
I prefer not to comment on this, but I can say this though: Rebel has been a fantastic addition to our ball club and we couldn't have asked for more, but if there is a good chance to improve my team I wouldn't shy away from trading anybody.
Black Smith is white hot at the moment. Any plans to move him into the four-hole??
No for now he stay's where he is. Blake is on a tear right now and from the fifth spot he is providing good protection for Rebel Ridling and Luis Arzeno. So there really is no good reason to disrupt that.
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