Game 1: vs ATL Braves
Finally I have some time to write down my thoughts on the opening day game today. Weather was a concern before we left. At the game, it was cold and damp, and getting chillier as the game progressed. But it did not matter much because baseball was finally here.
Brief recap of the game before I pass grades on pitching, defense, and offense (Nationals):
Livan got two quick outs in the first before giving up a run with two outs when McCann drove in Chipper. Nationals failed to capitalize on one outs, runners at the corners situations with Laroche and Morse coming up. Heyward took Livan deep in his first at bat for Braves 2-0 lead. From then on, it was all about pitching. Nationals never actually posed a threat, except Danny’s one out double.
Let me pass out some grades now:
Pitching – Livan started out shaky, giving up two runs within first six batters. I thought this could be a long game for Nationals pitching staff but he settled in nicely after giving up a HR to Heyward. He retired 15 straight batters. The most impressive pitches were not fastballs of 90+ velocity, but couple of curveballs that Uggla and Heyward badly misread. Pitchers tend to throw faster in an at-bat as it prolongs but Livan does the exact opposite. Maybe Braves hitting is not the greatest threat, but Livan’s performance was no less superb. After he was taken out in favor of Doug Slaten to face off against Heyward, Slaten allowed a walk that moved McCann to second with only one out in the 7th. I was surprised to see Riggleman take Livan out of the game when he had only thrown 77 pitches. Heyward does have good numbers againist Livan so that could be a reason (small sample size though). When Slaten failed to do his job, Clippard came in and cleaned up the mess. Coffey and Burnett also kept the Braves scoreless in 8th and 9th respectively. Grade: A-
Defense – Nationals have advertised this off-season that the team will be built around defense and pitching. Today was the first true test. Werth as RF performed well, except a wide throw to 2nd in the first inning. If the throw was perfect, that could have been the end of Chipper and Nationals would not be ‘burdened’ with a comeback. Otherwise, he made couple of nice catches, especially the one off Prado’s bat. Not much went in the OF besides couple of fly balls to Ankiel and Morse, and they made no mistake. Espinosa and Zimmerman made nifty plays against McLouth and Jones. If anyone could be considered the weak link in the defense based on today’s game, it will be Desmond. No errors but a wide throw which almost went for an error and not 100% effort on McCann’s 7th inning single. At least from the LF seats, it looked like Brian’s single went under his glove. Grade: A-
Hitting – The one area I see Nationals having problem is driving in runners from scoring position. Top of the first with one out, Nationals had Werth at 3rd and Ryan at first with Laroche and Morse coming up, the guys we are all counting on. Well they failed, miserably. We could not even get a sac fly deep enough to score Werth, which is a shame. Later on, Lowe kept them off the base paths, inefficiently (105 pitches in 5 and 2/3). Anyways, our offense posed no threat whatsoever. Once Ankiel took a walk with two outs, he was caught stealing and inning ended. Danny’s one out double did not help much with Pudge grounding out and Nix striking out behind him. It was pretty much a forgettable day at the plate, with only one positive. Working out Lowe to 100 pitches before sixth ended was a positive I guess. That did not help is a different issue. Grade: C
Difference – The most noticeable difference between the two teams were the velocity displayed by the relievers. While Braves pitchers were consistently throwing 90+ mph, only Clippard and Burnett threw few pitches in the low 90’s. I am not making any conclusions based on this, just stating what seemed obvious to me.
Joke of the Day – When it was announced “now the main event for today” in introducing the presidential race, my cousin remarked that what is the ballgame then?
I will try to write as season unfolds but this detailed description is only for games that I attend in person.
Nationals 24/7 