Washington Nationals: 78-80

[NewMarketSean]

And winners of 13 of their last 17 games.

That, folks, is how a team on the rise is supposed to look. If they win their last 3 games they will have the first winning season in franchise history.

The Nats will be playing meaningful games in August and September of 2012.

What will the Orioles be doing? Talking about who their next manager will be?

[BaltimoreTerp]

And winners of 13 of their last 17 games.

That, folks, is how a team on the rise is supposed to look. If they win their last 3 games they will have the first winning season in franchise history.

The Nats will be playing meaningful games in August and September of 2012.

What will the Orioles be doing? Talking about who their next manager will be?

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/26/davey-johnson-is-likely-to-keep-job-but-nationals-will-conduct-a-manager-search-anyway/

And before you jump ship completely: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2006.shtml

All I really can say is that I went a week ago to see Strasburg pitch. If they are playing games that late in next season, their chances will be so much better because of him. He's amazing.

They will need a lot of things to go right, though.

[NewMarketSean]

Well that 2005 team that finished 81-81 didn't have anything close to the pitching prospects that they have now. Strasberg, Zimmerman, Detwiler, Storen, Clippard...those guys are young.

They need more offense, that's for sure.

Conducting a search for manager is kind of weird, though. Not sure you're going to find a better strategic manager than DJ.

All I can say is that if we were having the season the Nats were having we'd already be buying playoff tickets in 2012.

[MikeAD]

They have had a good year, lots of stretches of good and bad. They have managed to get up to this point despite having a rotation made up mostly of youngins, never has beens, and used to bes. With Strasburg back next year and a focus on pitching they will be an exciting team. They have a great 8, 9 combo in the bullpen and have a good offense. They are a team that is actually a few pieces away from competition.

[crissfan172]

The Nats will be playing meaningful games in August and September of 2012.

Doubt it.

[MikeAD]

Doubt it.

What is your reasoning? They've made some great moves over the past few years and have been progressing.

[crissfan172]

What is your reasoning? They've made some great moves over the past few years and have been progressing.

Two reasons.

1. The Phillies and Braves are still a good distance ahead of them.

2. I don't expect Harper or Rendon to have any impact for them until 2013, which I think is going to be their year to start competing.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Well that 2005 team that finished 81-81 didn't have anything close to the pitching prospects that they have now. Strasberg, Zimmerman, Detwiler, Storen, Clippard...those guys are young.

They need more offense, that's for sure.

Conducting a search for manager is kind of weird, though. Not sure you're going to find a better strategic manager than DJ.

All I can say is that if we were having the season the Nats were having we'd already be buying playoff tickets in 2012.

Yeah, its the offense that is the issue. We've outscored them by almost 80 runs (before tonight) this year. Even accounting for the difference in the leagues, that's a strong statement*. They need another good year from Morse, Desmond to bounce back, Espinosa to learn some plate discipline, and Werth to offer something offensively. And they need two outfielders.

*They scored (before tonight) 613 runs, 6.5% below the NL average of 655. The Orioles scored 691 compared to the 710 AL average: basically half that difference.

They are probably closer than the Orioles are, especially with the pitching they have. But they still aren't particularly close, and we can just look in our own home to see what can happen to young pitching.

[NewMarketSean]

Two reasons.

1. The Phillies and Braves are still a good distance ahead of them.

2. I don't expect Harper or Rendon to have any impact for them until 2013, which I think is going to be their year to start competing.

They're "competing" right now...one game below .500. I never said they would win the division or the wild card next year, but while the O's are playng for the #1 pick next Aug and Sept, the Nats will be playing meaningful games...which is why I said "meaningful games."

Bottom line, I'd rather be in their shoes than in ours.

[NewMarketSean]

Yeah, its the offense that is the issue. We've outscored them by almost 80 runs (before tonight) this year. Even accounting for the difference in the leagues, that's a strong statement*. They need another good year from Morse, Desmond to bounce back, Espinosa to learn some plate discipline, and Werth to offer something offensively. And they need two outfielders.

*They scored (before tonight) 613 runs, 6.5% below the NL average of 655. The Orioles scored 691 compared to the 710 AL average: basically half that difference.

They are probably closer than the Orioles are, especially with the pitching they have. But they still aren't particularly close,

and we can just look in our own home to see what can happen to young pitching.

BTerp, I would LOVE to see you say this kind of thing about the Orioles if they were having the season the Nats are. There is nothing wrong with admitting the Nats are in a far better position than the O's. Almost every team in the MLB is.

[BaltimoreTerp]

BTerp, I would LOVE to see you say this kind of thing about the Orioles if they were having the season the Nats are.

I don't root for the Natinals

[crissfan172]

They're "competing" right now...one game below .500. I never said they would win the division or the wild card next year, but while the O's are playng for the #1 pick next Aug and Sept, the Nats will be playing meaningful games...which is why I said "meaningful games."

Bottom line, I'd rather be in their shoes than in ours.

Well, I don't agree that they will be playing meaningful games in August and September next year. They're more likely to be what the Jays are right now. A .500 team with a shot to be a little better, but no real shot to compete for the playoffs.

Of course they're in a better position than the O's, which is why I think they can compete in 2013, but not next year.

[NewMarketSean]

Well, I don't agree that they will be playing meaningful games in August and September next year. They're more likely to be what the Jays are right now. A .500 team with a shot to be a little better, but no real shot to compete for the playoffs.

Of course they're in a better position than the O's, which is why I think they can compete in 2013, but not next year.

They are the Jays, right now!!!

Nats: 79-80

Jays: 80-80

Come again?

[SammyBirdland]

Man, if only the Orioles had the same record as the Nationals right now. We'd be in...well...we'd still be last place in our division...but still! Nationals are so awesome!

[NewMarketSean]

Man, if only the Orioles had the same record as the Nationals right now. We'd be in...well...we'd still be last place in our division...but still! Nationals are so awesome!

You know what I mean, SB.

The Nats are where we all expected to be this year. And a lot of O's fans expected the Nats to be where the O's are, if not worse.