Werth hit .324/.478/.479 in September and he walked twice in four plate appearances in Game 1. It's two bad games. I actually think he should be hitting cleanup against lefties, with Harper 3rd and LaRoche moved down the order.If Matt Williams is smart (and he's not smart, at all), he'd bump harper to 3rd or 4th tomorrow just to make the Giants think a little more. He won't though. Werth is awful, move him down.
Just a guess here but I think it would be Zimmermann. Not only because of how he pitched in Game 2 but also because that would free them up to use Strasburg out of the pen today if necessary.If the Nats force a Game 5, who starts for the Nats? Strasburg or Zimmermann? With the off day on Thursday, both would be on normal rest.
I'd go Zimmermann, no questions asked, but then I'm not Scott Boras...
FWIW, I would pick Zimmermann too but would Matt Williams basically tell Strasburg "I don't trust you in Game 5"?Just a guess here but I think it would be Zimmermann. Not only because of how he pitched in Game 2 but also because that would free them up to use Strasburg out of the pen today if necessary.If the Nats force a Game 5, who starts for the Nats? Strasburg or Zimmermann? With the off day on Thursday, both would be on normal rest.
I'd go Zimmermann, no questions asked, but then I'm not Scott Boras...
I don't think Boras has anything to do with it. But great work by Tony Bosch getting your Orioles to the ALCS!
I think this is what it boils down to. I want Zimm, but we also can't win a championship without Strasburg. They'll keep him in his spot and go about business as usual.FWIW, I would pick Zimmermann too but would Matt Williams basically tell Strasburg "I don't trust you in Game 5"?Just a guess here but I think it would be Zimmermann. Not only because of how he pitched in Game 2 but also because that would free them up to use Strasburg out of the pen today if necessary.If the Nats force a Game 5, who starts for the Nats? Strasburg or Zimmermann? With the off day on Thursday, both would be on normal rest.
I'd go Zimmermann, no questions asked, but then I'm not Scott Boras...
I don't think Boras has anything to do with it. But great work by Tony Bosch getting your Orioles to the ALCS!
I think Zimm's last 17 2/3 innings provide Williams with adequate cover. What's Strasburg gonna say? Plus he'd be in the pen if anything goes wrong (assuming he's not used for the same purpose today.FWIW, I would pick Zimmermann too but would Matt Williams basically tell Strasburg "I don't trust you in Game 5"?Just a guess here but I think it would be Zimmermann. Not only because of how he pitched in Game 2 but also because that would free them up to use Strasburg out of the pen today if necessary.If the Nats force a Game 5, who starts for the Nats? Strasburg or Zimmermann? With the off day on Thursday, both would be on normal rest.
I'd go Zimmermann, no questions asked, but then I'm not Scott Boras...
I don't think Boras has anything to do with it. But great work by Tony Bosch getting your Orioles to the ALCS!
Anything can happen but I like Gio's matchup against all their left handed bats. And Vogelsong is the worst starter in the series so we should be able to hit him. Other than used to getting kicked in the nuts I like our chances.TobiasFunke said:I think Zimm's last 17 2/3 innings provide Williams with adequate cover. What's Strasburg gonna say? Plus he'd be in the pen if anything goes wrong (assuming he's not used for the same purpose today.Ramblin Wreck said:FWIW, I would pick Zimmermann too but would Matt Williams basically tell Strasburg "I don't trust you in Game 5"?TobiasFunke said:Just a guess here but I think it would be Zimmermann. Not only because of how he pitched in Game 2 but also because that would free them up to use Strasburg out of the pen today if necessary.DCThunder said:If the Nats force a Game 5, who starts for the Nats? Strasburg or Zimmermann? With the off day on Thursday, both would be on normal rest.
I'd go Zimmermann, no questions asked, but then I'm not Scott Boras...
I don't think Boras has anything to do with it. But great work by Tony Bosch getting your Orioles to the ALCS!
I'm with valhallan. Underdogs have won every single game of this series. I have a bad feeling it happens again tonight, although this is far closer to even money than the other 3 games.
Still bitter about this.I fully expect 2012 postseason Vogelsong to show up tonight.
That's fine but Harper should have been hitting third or fourth tonight.TobiasFunke said:Werth hit .324/.478/.479 in September and he walked twice in four plate appearances in Game 1. It's two bad games. I actually think he should be hitting cleanup against lefties, with Harper 3rd and LaRoche moved down the order.If Matt Williams is smart (and he's not smart, at all), he'd bump harper to 3rd or 4th tomorrow just to make the Giants think a little more. He won't though. Werth is awful, move him down.
I can't remember a tougher player to figure out, he constantly defies my expectations. You'll think he's lost at the plate but he always bounces back quickly. He's defied the aging curve, putting up his best offensive season at age 34 last year, and followed it with .292/394/.455 this year. I've given up on him more times than any athlete I can remember, always convinced that his post-peak decline has finally arrived, and every single time he's turned it around.
I agree on moving Harper up though. I'd like to see him swap places with LaRoche vs righties, who is struggling.
They were in DC too, so annoying. Do they issue those hats at birth out there?"Hey we got great seats to the game - 2nd row behind by the plate"
Arrive at game
"Who are these mother####ers wearing Giant Panda heads right in front of me - I can't see a thing"
Good chance I'd be escorted out
Haunted by gigantic panda heads?Giants better hope that doesn't haunt them
No kidding - it be like clownsHaunted by gigantic panda heads?Giants better hope that doesn't haunt them
Have to move him up if there is a game 5That's fine but Harper should have been hitting third or fourth tonight.TobiasFunke said:Werth hit .324/.478/.479 in September and he walked twice in four plate appearances in Game 1. It's two bad games. I actually think he should be hitting cleanup against lefties, with Harper 3rd and LaRoche moved down the order.If Matt Williams is smart (and he's not smart, at all), he'd bump harper to 3rd or 4th tomorrow just to make the Giants think a little more. He won't though. Werth is awful, move him down.
I can't remember a tougher player to figure out, he constantly defies my expectations. You'll think he's lost at the plate but he always bounces back quickly. He's defied the aging curve, putting up his best offensive season at age 34 last year, and followed it with .292/394/.455 this year. I've given up on him more times than any athlete I can remember, always convinced that his post-peak decline has finally arrived, and every single time he's turned it around.
I agree on moving Harper up though. I'd like to see him swap places with LaRoche vs righties, who is struggling.
Mattingly is just an atrocious manager, Williams and Ausmus are guys that I think will be decent but they've sure made some curious moves this year (not just in the playoffs).
I agree looked like a repeat from Game 1.Such a bad move by Bochy bringing in Strickland here. You have seen what Harper can do against that fastball and its only an one run game