THE BELTWAY BOYS: Time To Pummel The Peachtree

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Time To Pummel The Peachtree

[July 26th] - It's for real now. The Washington Nationals limp into Turner Field to begin a series with the Braves that could reignite, or destroy their hopes for the rest of the season.

In Tuesday's game, is ace vs. ace, as 11 game winner John Smoltz goes against 12 game winner Livan Hernandez. Luckily for the Nats, after the hot streak that brought the Braves from 5.5 games back on July 4 to a statistical tie for first with the Nats less than two weeks later, the Braves have slowed down a bit as well. The Nationals could just as easily go into tonight's game 2 games behind the Braves as tied.

The good news is that Nick Johnson is expected to play; the bad news is that Jose Guillen may miss the rest of the series with that continuing sore wrist/hand. Vinny should also be back at third.

I have no idea what is going to happen. The Nats could suddenly find a way to win the close game again and leave Atlanta with a 3 game lead. Just as likely, however, is the Braves gaining that 3 game edge when the series ends on Thursday. The thing to remember is that the goal for this Nationals team was to finish somewhere between 81-85 wins, and they will do that without question. They are on pace to do what they set out to do. The Braves are the ones who are playing "behind expectations." Will they be able to surpass the Nationals? Very possible. But don't look for anyone else in the division to make a break; they just don't have the talent.

Smoltz vs. Hernandez. Couldn't be better than that.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 9:22 AM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?