Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2011 16:22:17 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Atlanta Braves (76-49)@ Washington Nationals (64-60)[/shadow]
ATL: Wandy Rodriguez (7-8, 3.24 ERA)
WAS: Jenrry Mejia (13-2, 3.04 ERA)
In three weeks the Washington Nationals have gone from 5.5 back of Atlanta in the NL East to hoping strictly for a Wild Card berth. In three weeks, the Atlanta Braves have gone from a team in the midst of a three-squad NL East dogfight to the team with the best record in baseball.
The struggles of the Nationals can be traced to the struggles of their two premier lefty sluggers Jason Heyward and Bryce Harper. Heyward only has 13 home runs on the year. Only three have come at home, and only two have come in August.
Meanwhile, if you eliminate an absurd nine game stretch in late April and early May, Bryce Harper is hitting .244 with 13 home runs and 46 runs batted in for the season. The two star Nationals haven't performed like stars this season and as a result, the Nationals have underachieved.
They find themselves seven games behind Pittsburgh for a potential playoff spot and need to make up ground quickly. Too bad the Braves are one of the hottest teams in baseball.
Jacoby Ellsbury has come over from Boston and has really given the team a shot in the arm at the top of the lineup, something the Braves haven't had in their lineup. The team has consistently gotten runners on base at the top of the order for the big hitters in the middle of the order to play with.
The pitching matchup will pit the young against the old. Jenrry Mejia is 13-2, giving him three 13-win seasons before the age of 24 and a career mark of 48-20. He'll be facing off against Wandy Rodriguez, a 35-year-old with a 1.29 WHIP.
Questions for the GM's. For Anthony Valentine. With all the various problems that have affected the Braves this season, are you surprised you have the best record in baseball this season?
Rodriguez has pitched much better this season than last year. Any idea why?
You made a few trades before the trade deadline. How have they worked out?
For Anthony Olson, except for one month this season, Bryce Harper has been very average. Are you satisfied with his performance this year?
Why has your team dropped off as much as it has this month?
In 2010 the Colorado Rockies narrowed down their first round draft choices to Rick Carson and Jose Ramos. Are you happy with how that draft turned out?
ATL: Wandy Rodriguez (7-8, 3.24 ERA)
WAS: Jenrry Mejia (13-2, 3.04 ERA)
In three weeks the Washington Nationals have gone from 5.5 back of Atlanta in the NL East to hoping strictly for a Wild Card berth. In three weeks, the Atlanta Braves have gone from a team in the midst of a three-squad NL East dogfight to the team with the best record in baseball.
The struggles of the Nationals can be traced to the struggles of their two premier lefty sluggers Jason Heyward and Bryce Harper. Heyward only has 13 home runs on the year. Only three have come at home, and only two have come in August.
Meanwhile, if you eliminate an absurd nine game stretch in late April and early May, Bryce Harper is hitting .244 with 13 home runs and 46 runs batted in for the season. The two star Nationals haven't performed like stars this season and as a result, the Nationals have underachieved.
They find themselves seven games behind Pittsburgh for a potential playoff spot and need to make up ground quickly. Too bad the Braves are one of the hottest teams in baseball.
Jacoby Ellsbury has come over from Boston and has really given the team a shot in the arm at the top of the lineup, something the Braves haven't had in their lineup. The team has consistently gotten runners on base at the top of the order for the big hitters in the middle of the order to play with.
The pitching matchup will pit the young against the old. Jenrry Mejia is 13-2, giving him three 13-win seasons before the age of 24 and a career mark of 48-20. He'll be facing off against Wandy Rodriguez, a 35-year-old with a 1.29 WHIP.
Questions for the GM's. For Anthony Valentine. With all the various problems that have affected the Braves this season, are you surprised you have the best record in baseball this season?
Rodriguez has pitched much better this season than last year. Any idea why?
You made a few trades before the trade deadline. How have they worked out?
For Anthony Olson, except for one month this season, Bryce Harper has been very average. Are you satisfied with his performance this year?
Why has your team dropped off as much as it has this month?
In 2010 the Colorado Rockies narrowed down their first round draft choices to Rick Carson and Jose Ramos. Are you happy with how that draft turned out?