Discuss NLDS vs. Dusty Baker's Nationals

[mul21]

So do you sit Javy with Zobrist at 2B and 3 of Schwarber/Happ/Jay/Heyward in the OF? Do you dare start Avila over Willy, especially/assuming it’s a not Lester start and you don’t need the elite defense?

 

 

I'd deal with Sealboy's defense and get him in somewhere

Good point. Zobrist/Jay/Heyward OF, Bryant/Russell/LaStella/Rizzo INF, Avila catching is probably what I’d do. Schwarbs/Happ seem to struggle with velo and Happ (tho many do) with Scherzer’s breaking stuff.

 

I was just going to mention the velocity thing. It seems like the consensus is that La Stella handles it pretty well so it wouldn't surprise me a bit if he was in the lineup game 1. Didn't Joe do that last year too at one point?

[Cubswin11]

 

 

I'd deal with Sealboy's defense and get him in somewhere

Good point. Zobrist/Jay/Heyward OF, Bryant/Russell/LaStella/Rizzo INF, Avila catching is probably what I’d do. Schwarbs/Happ seem to struggle with velo and Happ (tho many do) with Scherzer’s breaking stuff.

 

I was just going to mention the velocity thing. It seems like the consensus is that La Stella handles it pretty well so it wouldn't surprise me a bit if he was in the lineup game 1. Didn't Joe do that last year too at one point?

Not last year but he started in 2015 in the WC vs Cole and I believe maybe one of the NLCS games vs Syndergaard or Harvey.

[Cubswin11]

You absolutely sit Javy against Scherzer. I get the argument for La Stella but it'll probably be two of Zobrist/Happ/Schwarber in 2B/LF.

 

Contreras is harder to pin down. If I had to guess, I'd say they play him.

 

It might depend on the starter for the Cubs. I think absolutely start Contreras if its Lester. If its Jake or Kyle, you lean heavily in Willy's direction....you at least consider Avila if its Quintana.

Maybe more reason to start Quintana since it may tilt the offensive advantage and doesn't overly affect the pitching advantage?? Also, not that Willy would've started tonight anyways but Avila catching Hendricks.

[UMFan83]

You absolutely sit Javy against Scherzer. I get the argument for La Stella but it'll probably be two of Zobrist/Happ/Schwarber in 2B/LF.

 

Contreras is harder to pin down. If I had to guess, I'd say they play him.

 

It might depend on the starter for the Cubs. I think absolutely start Contreras if its Lester. If its Jake or Kyle, you lean heavily in Willy's direction....you at least consider Avila if its Quintana.

Maybe more reason to start Quintana since it may tilt the offensive advantage and doesn't overly affect the pitching advantage?? Also, not that Willy would've started tonight anyways but Avila catching Hendricks.

 

Yeah, I could live with Avila catching Hendricks. Kyle does a pretty good job on his own of managing the run game. I like Contreras only because he provides a marginal pitch framing upgrade and Kyle so heavily relies on hitting corners to be effective.

[Gilby]

I agree that Scherzer is the one matchup where we might not see the Russell/Javy middle infield to start. I kind of doubt Joe would trust La Stella's glove in the middle infield in a playoff game, or that he'd sit Contreras (especially since Turner is healthy), but I suppose both are possible. I was under the impression Scherzer's only weakness was dongs, so I'd also hate to see both Schwarber and Happ on the bench.

[davell]

Are we looking at 45/55 chances against Scherzer or something like that anyway?

[squally1313]

I've been pushing for Quintana to be the game one starter, but I think Hendricks might have earned it last night. Assuming they go with Scherzer game one, here's what I'd like to see:

 

1. Zobrist (2B)

2. Bryant

3. Rizzo

4. Schwarber (LF)

5. Avila ©

6. Happ (CF)

7. Heyward (RF)

8. Russell

 

Could see the arguments for putting Bryant in right to get LaStella's bat in the lineup, but I think it weakens the defense just a little too much. Given Strasburg's more neutral splits, Contreras (and Baez) should start the rest of the games.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I've been pushing for Quintana to be the game one starter, but I think Hendricks might have earned it last night. Assuming they go with Scherzer game one, here's what I'd like to see:

 

1. Zobrist (2B)

2. Bryant

3. Rizzo

4. Schwarber (LF)

5. Avila ©

6. Happ (CF)

7. Heyward (RF)

8. Russell

 

Could see the arguments for putting Bryant in right to get LaStella's bat in the lineup, but I think it weakens the defense just a little too much. Given Strasburg's more neutral splits, Contreras (and Baez) should start the rest of the games.

 

You know Jay will be starting in CF and leading off.

[squally1313]

Fair...I was blanking on who our leadoff guy has been lately. If I'm going to grant him that, then I'd love to see Happ at second with Zobrist on the bench, but that's probably more wishful thinking.

[wvcbxl]

Ever been to Nationals park before?

 

I have, and kinda liked the place. 8-)

[Ding Dong Johnson]

TBS. this series will be on TBS.

[philosophizer75]

I've been to Nats park several times. It's pretty decent. Good place to catch a game, and I will be there if this series goes to 5.

 

Not much to write home about, but Nats park is an alright place to catch a baseball game. I do like how almost all the fans have to leave down the same 4-5 lane street to leave or enter the park. It's a cool place to hear fans for either side playing that day going at it.

[cl smooth]

not sure if this was mentioned elsewhere but it looks like arrieta is being held back until game 3 (no starts this weekend vs. the reds):

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20862156/jake-arrieta-scratched-sunday-start-give-right-hamstring-heal-ahead-playoff-series

 

also, nationals park is the toyota camry of ballparks: basic and cookie-cutter but it gets the job done. great food and no bad sight lines.

[gobigred]

I went to 2 games at Nats park...sat in the nosebleeds up top and then sat in the club all you can eat seats....was treated great they became my 2nd favorite team....nice park....likeable players

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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[Gilby]

Dusty's gotta wait to see how Scherzer's arm responds after he has him throw a 120 pitch simulated game on Wednesday.

[Cubswin11]

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[CubInOK]

Dusty's gotta wait to see how Scherzer's arm responds after he has him throw a 120 pitch simulated game on Wednesday.

Speaking of... I just got an alert that Scherzer left his start today with an injury.

[UMFan83]

Dusty's gotta wait to see how Scherzer's arm responds after he has him throw a 120 pitch simulated game on Wednesday.

Speaking of... I just got an alert that Scherzer left his start today with an injury.

 

Even if he doesn't miss the series I could see this pushing him back to game 2 or 3 meaning he can only start once in the series. Of course that just means that Strasbourg starts twice but I have a slight preference facing him twice than Max

[David]

Speculation is that it's a hamstring issue.

[UMFan83]

 

Even better, Dusty forces a less than 100% Scherzer out there. His mechanics are off and the Cubs pound him.

[raw]

Late to this thread, but I think Lackey is on the roster for the reasons stated. He's there as insurance in case Arrieta can't start in Game 4 (which is where I think they'll slot him). And he's there out of respect for his career or whatever. If Almora is able to go, then the decision for 25th man basically comes down to a pinch runner, 3rd catcher, or 12th pitcher.

 

I don't see Martin's baserunning having that much importance. He's not even as good a baserunner/stealer as Quintin Berry who didn't make the playoff roster in 2015. OF defense isn't an issue with Almora, Jay, and Heyward able to be out there late in games. Happ's been good out there. And Zobrist won't kill you in LF.

 

Rivera has an interesting argument though. Taking a 3rd catcher could make Avila a primary LH PH late in games. He's a really good defensive catcher that can also throw out basestealers. Part of me wonders if they take him at the expense of Wilson or even LaStella. I'd say no for now with the Nationals LH bats and hard throwing RHPs. Those other 2 are shoe-ins to play big roles.

 

Also, I think Maddon tries to minimize strikeouts while also getting LH bats in there vs. Scherzer. I'd definitely sit Javy if Max is able to go Game 1. But I'd think if that happens you'd see the combo of Zobrist, Jay, LaStella in LF, CF and 2B respectively. Zobrist's obviously has a ton of playoff experience and success, so I don't think you see him sitting in the playoffs, maybe ever. He also has 3 HRs vs. Scherzer in his career.

 

Of course, you could use the same strategy vs. Strasburg, though he doesn't have any noticeable splits vs. LHBs. He did strike out 13 Cubs in 7 innings in his start this year. So, you could see an emphasis put on putting the ball in play as much as possible.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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Even better, Dusty forces a less than 100% Scherzer out there. His mechanics are off and the Cubs pound him.

 

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[Transmogrified Tiger]

big, if true

 

[Banedon]