Around Baseball

[bravebonebook]

An annoying thing is when (not if) Braves clinch the East, they'll ease up. Then the Nats will gain some ground and the final standings will make some deluded Nats fans talk during the offseason like it was actually a close race when it hasn't been.

As to them making the playoffs, I'd rather kill an enemy when I have the chance. I believe the Braves could beat the Nats in a playoff series BUT this entire season would crash in an embarrassing, humiliating pile of horsecrap IF the Nats got lucky at the last moment and beat Atlanta. IMO, better for them to be dead and out of the playoffs and we possibly lose to LA or StL. Then in the offseason, we can at least JUST moan about the Dodgers or Cardinals being a better team or our huge # of injuries. I could not handle it if the Nats knocked us off...

[zitothebrave]

They aren't awful, certainly have underachieved though.

That said, their schedule is crazy easy the rest of this season.

Did they underachieve? Or did they just overachieve last season? Personally I'd bet on the latter. Easier is to succeed with no pressure than with it.

[zitothebrave]

Even better take on Harper from Nationals bench coach Randy Knorr:

“That’s just him,” Knorr said. “He’s just 20, and sometimes, he just pouts. Sometimes, he pouts. I don’t know why. That’s the thing about him. You can’t be this guy who says you’re going to play hard every time out and then not do it. You can’t do that. He’ll learn that. He’ll get better with it. He’s 20 years old. He’s still a kid, and sometimes kids pout if things don’t go their way.”

That's a big reason why I'll take Heyward over Harper. Only risk with heyward is injury. Harper has way more personality issues.

[thethe]

That's a big reason why I'll take Heyward over Harper. Only risk with heyward is injury. Harper has way more personality issues.

I'd rather take the guy that likes baseball.

[Heyward]

Did they underachieve? Or did they just overachieve last season? Personally I'd bet on the latter. Easier is to succeed with no pressure than with it.

Little of both.

Maybe they aren't as good as last year but they aren't this bad though.

I had them around 90-95, and not 100+ like everyone else did.

[thewupk]

They aren't awful, certainly have underachieved though.

That said, their schedule is crazy easy the rest of this season.

They aren't awful but their offense is. Yes they have an easy schedule. They will still play 500ish baseball the rest of the way.

[BRule]

Morneau heading to Pitt, for Alex Presley

[Hawk]

I think this is a great deal for Pittsburgh.

[BRule]

Agreed, they really needed to find a starter with Locke crashing down to earth and Wandy still sidelined but they've made 2 nice waiver moves.

[Bama9507]

Morneau heading to Pitt, for Alex Presley

[Krovahn]

Byrd and Morneau in August. Not bad. They aren't where they once were as players; but, they are definitely improvements for that team and shows that they are in it to win it. Good to see after they had struggled for so long.

[cajunrevenge]

Its good to see the Pirates really going after that playoff spot. They need it in a bad way. Just making the NLCS would be huge for reviving interest in baseball for that town.

[sentenza]

Wow!
I thought he will retire as a Twin.
Interesting he went to Pittsburgh!

[thewupk]

nats losing again. march back towards .500

[Runnin]

Is there anyone here who still thinks Infante isn't good enough to be a starter?

[Heyward]

Dodgers trade for Michael Young.

[zitothebrave]

Dodgers trade for Michael Young.

Lulz. Must be nice to not care about money.

[Runnin]

Lulz. Must be nice to not care about money.

The Dodgers have replaced the Yankees as the symbol of greed. We absolutely MUST beat them in the playoffs!

[BlackwaterPark]

Dodgers have a sick team

[Bdawg2309]

i don't see anything wrong in them claiming him

what i do see as stupid is the dbacks not blocking him from reaching the dodgers

and even more stupid from the Reds for not having blocked morneau/byrd from the pirates...