GDT: August 18th Nationals at Braves

[tomahawkchop]

I'd like to believe the fan was asking Harper how far he had hit that last one...

[Dunit24]

1) It was good call by the ump.

2) Bryce is a big frigging baby. I understand the passion, but he is just getting to a point now to where he just needs to shut up.

3) I think we officially placed the Nats 6 foot under after that series

[Temo]

From Kevin McAlpin:
Bryce Harper (on the atmosphere this weekend): "I love these fans. I really do. They're absolutely unbelievable for their team."

I like Bryce. I could see him having a Chipper Jones-with-Mets-Fans relationship with Atlanta fans in the coming years. Except, you know, we've owned him thus far.

[50PoundHead]

1. Great win, especially considering the 'B' team was in!
2. Teheran is really learning how to pitch rather than just throw.
3. Could have swept them this weekend; hope Soriano continues having blown saves.
4. Great that we can savor this win tonight as well as tomorrow.
5. Sorry for the doubters but Bryce swung; his bat broke the plane. (Why would anyone over here even question it????)

Wonder who Harper yelled at in the stands? Some fan was getting on him good right after Werth turned him away from the ump and he started walking into the dugout. Would love to know what was said!

Yes he is and it doesn't hurt that the guy really has A+ stuff.

A lot of debate about Teheran and Randall Delgado when they were coming up through the Braves' system. I think Delgado has the tools to be solid, but I think Teheran has the chance to be really special. His stuff just crackles.

[Julio3000]

The checked-swing call is one of the toughest in baseball. It's one of the few calls that I can think of that are close to being purely subjective. The only official criterion is whether or not the batter committed to swing at the pitch. I think that all but the most obvious checked swings could be considered strikes. In light of that, I think it was silly for Harper to go on like he did . . . he certainly didn't make any friends with the umpiring crew.

I don't like the way Harper carries himself on the field. Still, that may change as he ages and hopefully matures. I appreciate his talent and think that he and the Braves fans could have a long and productive relationship filled with mutual hatred and grudging respect.

[ramadon101]

Not me. I can't stand Harper and will never have an iota of admiration for what he is on the field.

[Julio3000]

1 Max Scherzer 81.40%
2 Anibal Sanchez 82.50%
3 Hector Santiago 82.70%
4 R.A. Dickey 82.80%
5 Chris Sale 82.90%
6 Justin Verlander 83.30%
7 Yu Darvish 83.60%
8 Ryan Dempster 83.90%
9 Julio Teheran 84.00%
10 Matt Harvey 84.00%
11 CC Sabathia 84.10%
12 Jeremy Hellickson 84.30%
13 Clayton Kershaw 84.40%
14 Ian Kennedy 84.60%
15 Shelby Miller 84.80%
16 Madison Bumgarner 84.80%
17 Cole Hamels 85.10%
18 Stephen Strasburg 85.30%
19 Gio Gonzalez 85.50%
20 Homer Bailey 85.50%

I boosted this from a Fangraphs comment. It's a list of the best contact percentages (among qualifiers) on balls in the zone. Kinda cool to see JT in there. That kid is the realness.

[Dunit24]

Not me. I can't stand Harper and will never have an iota of admiration for what he is on the field.

Yes this. Hes a very good ballplayer, but his on field actions are just ridiculous and annoying. Combine that for stupid comments he makes off the field and although he is a once in a lifetime ball player, Im glad hes not on our team.