THE BELTWAY BOYS: Predictions Of Nationals Demise Grossly Exaggerated

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Predictions Of Nationals Demise Grossly Exaggerated

[August 16th] -- Go figure.

All across the Nationals Nation, fans [me included] wrote the team off from any hope of playing in the post-season following the Padres' sweep at RFK two weekends ago. I talked of "blowing up" the team and starting over before Washington's first game against the Astros.

And at that moment, I was right. We had a first baseman who didn't have enough power, a second baseman who limped around the bases, a shortstop and third baseman that couldn't hit, two outfielders who were among the league leaders in strikeouts and too many pitchers who couldn't come through in the clutch. I mean, what's the chance of the team staying in contention until the end of the season, right?

Well, heading into the Astros series, the Nats were only two games out of the wild card hunt. Were the fans of the other contending teams saying that the race was all but over? No. But their team wasn't dead last in offense, whose manager looks upon a single to the outfield as power hitting. Nats fans know that their isn't much help at AAA, and that some of the AA players have potential, but aren't quite ready yet. All of those variables makes Nats fans short on hope.

Now, seven games removed from that awful Padres series, the Nats have gone 5-2 on their road trip and have begun to do those "little" things that helped them reach a season high 20 games over .500 in early July. Can they keep it up? Do they have a chance to reach the post season? I don't know. It depends on which team shows up for the rest of the year.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 9:16 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?