The John Sickels 2016 annual arrived late Friday night in my inbox, which may not be as much fun as getting a thick envelope in the snail mail, but it’s more efficient. As I always have, I’ll discuss the book in two posts — one for hitters, one for the pitchers. The pendulum has swung …
I’ve been putting this post off in the hopes that something more obvious would occur, but the combination of the rainout, another small set of cuts, and that we’re down to just two watchlist players in the MLB camp (Giolito and Turner), is enough to make the call.
Whether that it’s the first day of spring is ironic or coincidental is beside the point; it’s time to revert to offseason mode and wait for the minors to start up.
The Sickels book came in the (e)mail yesterday, so I’ve updated the “Report Not Yet Written” entries on the 2016 Watchlist and will use it as the peg for some posts this week.
I was a little bit disappointed in what Sickels had to say for the players I was holding out on, but that may very well be a factor of hoping he’d have something different to say. (Still not getting how Kieboom is pronounced, BTW).
Anyway, enjoy your Sunday… and thanks for stopping by.
Lucas Giolito got the start yesterday against the regulars of the defending N.L. Champs and did not disappoint: two scoreless innings, two baserunners, and a whiff of David Wright as the Nats beat the Mets 12-7 for their fourth straight win. Despite the lack of accomplished starters in camp, it does appear that the 21-y.o.’s …
After blowing leads of 2-1 and 6-4, Chris Heisey’s three-run HR secured a 9-7 walkoff win for the Nats’ third straight win.
It was the fourth longball overall as Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth, and Wilson Ramos also went deep.
Stephen Strasburg made the start and was dinged for two runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. Jonathan Papelbon got the win as he induced three Braves reserves to fly out in the top of the 9th.
The appearances for “our guys” are dwindling, with just two watchlist players seeing time yesterday. Trea Turner started at SS and went 0-for-2 with a whiff while batting ninth. Pedro Severino replaced Ramos at catcher and grounded out in his only at-bat in the 8th.
Tonight, the Nats travel to Port St. Lucie to visit the Mets. The game will be broadcast on MLB.tv with the away feed.
The Nats’ four-run 3rd was enough to double up the Marlins, 4-2 and extend Washington’s unbeaten streak to six games.
Blake Treinen got the start in place of Bronson Arroyo, whose career is likely over with the diagnosis of a labrum tear. Treinen tossed two scoreless innings with two baserunners allowed (one hit, one walk) while striking out four.
Michael Taylor was responsible for three of the four runs with an Earl Weaver special off former Oriole Bruce Chen while his competition for the starting CF job drove in the other with an RBI single.
Pedro Severino was the sole watchlist player to play in the game, replacing Jhonatan Solano behind the place but going hitless in two trips to the plate.
The Nats return to Viera today to host the Barves. The game will not broadcast on TV or radio, thanks to the second-largest gambling event of the year most likely due to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
After Lucas Giolito was lit up for a pair of runs in his second inning of relief in the 8th, the Nats took him off the hook for the loss with a three-run rally in the 9th for a 6-4 win over the Astros. The comeback gave Michael Brady the win. The architect converted IF …
For the second straight game, the Nats neither won nor lost as they tied the Astros, 1-1. Joe Ross got the start and gave up Houston’s run on two-out solo shot in thr top of the 1st. He let up five hits total, walked two, and struck out three over four innings. Just three watchlist …
Pedro Severino’s RBI single in the bottom of the 8th offset the bullpen coughing up three in the top of the 8th as the Nats and Cards played to a 4-4, nine-inning tie. Max Scherzer, Washington’a probable Opening Day starter, struck out five over four innings and gave up a run on two hits and …
The Nats scored in seven of nine innings against the Braves to take their eighth win of the spring, 11-1.
Tanner Roark became the first starting pitcher to go more than than three innings, giving up the lone Atlanta run on three hits over four frames. He fanned three and walked none.
Sammy Solis was the sole watchlister of the five relievers to appear after Roark and turned in 1-2-3 eighth with one whiff.
Trea Turner started at SS and led off and was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, which improved his spring BA to .188. Christopher Bostick replaced him atop the lineup and at short and was 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Brian Goodwin and Matt Skole came off the bench to sub for Chris Heisey in RF and Jason Martinson at 3B, respectively. Goodwin went 0-for-2 with a walk while Skole struck out twice in two trips to the plate.
The Nats host the Cards this afternoon in Viera. The video can be seen on MASN, while the audio can be heard on 106.7FM and 1580AM.
The Nats reserves rallied for three in the 3rd and five in the 8th as they pummeled the Mets, 9-5 to snap a two-game slide. Stephen Strasburg made the start and gave up a run on three hits and two walks over three innings. He was awarded the win. Manager Dusty Baker went Little League …