Post by Commissioner Erick on Jul 3, 2018 7:23:03 GMT -5
Washington Nationals (28-16) @ Chicago Cubs (32-13)
WAS: Stephen Strasburg (1-3, 4.17)
CHC: Chris Sale (7-1, 2.49)
The 2018 Washington Nationals had terrible luck in the doctor's office. The Chicago Cubs had terrible luck in Euclidian geometry.
With more band-aids and with a blessing from Pythagoras, the Nationals and Cubs are back to being two of the best teams in baseball.
Division leaders collide as the Washington Nationals travel to Chicago to take on the Cubs in The Game of the Week.
This clash of titans will feature a clash of two very intriguing pitchers. After a high-profile failure in the World Series last season, Chris Sale has rebounded and produced one of the best pitching lines in baseball thus far. His opponent, Stephen Strasburg, has shown some flashes of dominance as he recovers from two seasons lost to elbow ligament reconstruction.
Sale hasn't lost since opening night and is now 7-1 with a 2.49 ERA. The seven wins is tied for the NL lead, while his seven quality starts is second. He doesn't strike out hitters at nearly the same rate he did in 2017, but he doesn't give up home runs to lefties, and dominates righties to a .193 average against.
Meanwhile, though he only has one win, Stephen Strasburg snapped off a Complete Game Shutout against the Mets earlier this month. The performance hinted at Strasburg's potential dominance, and he's looked good after using the early season to build up arm strength. He hasn't shown the strikeout upside he flashed when he was younger, but he's limited his walks and kept the ball in the park.
The pitchers will have a tough time as the Nationals and Cubs are the two best offenses in the league.
From Chicago's perspective, several of their big-ticket acquisitions have really struggled thus far—and it hasn't stopped them from leading the league in runs scored. Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton are both hitting under .200, while Wilson Contreras has just a pair of home runs. However, with everybody else playing up to standards, the Cubs can afford a few down campaigns and still be dominant. This is especially true thanks to Anthony Rizzo.
With 10 home runs in his last 11 games, Anthony Rizzo has taken over the NL lead in home runs and RBIs by a fairly comfortable margin. He may hit .300 with 100 walks this season to boot. Those are first-ballot hall-of-fame type seasons. Rizzo hasn't produced to this degree in the past so it's likely the numbers come down. However, the run environment is a little better this season and his lineup is a lot deeper. He's coming off a matchup in San Diego where he hit two home runs and walked three times, a showcase of his hitting ability and the respect he's commanding.
Francisco Lindor has flanked Rizzo as the perfect leadoff hitter. He's changed the shape of his production as he's not on pace for 33 home runs this year. Instead, he's on pace for 100 walks and is getting on at a .402 clip. He's also walking more than he's striking out and playing world class defense. The Cubs gave up a ton, but they got an MVP-caliber player when they traded for Lindor. No wonder they're in first place.
If Lindor and Rizzo can provide a lead or keep things close, Juan Carrizales will likely shut things down. Having a bonkers season, Bonkers Carrizales has a 0.70 ERA in 25.2 innings. The Mexican native is second in the NL in strikeout rate among pitchers with at least 20 innings, striking out 39% of hitters he's faced. He hasn't allowed a home run yet, has allowed just one run since opening night, and might be even more dominant as he's suffered from an elevated .360 BABIP. Bonkers looks like the next great reliever in baseball.
However, while Rizzo has been marvelous and Lindor is an MVP-candidate, there's no more fearsome hitter in baseball than Bryce Harper. I mean, he won the 2017 MVP and almost won it last year in under 400 plate appearances. Harper is slashing .327/.493/.1.214, a herculean mark. His 16 home runs are a hot streak away from catching Rizzo for the league lead, and 39 RBIs are fourth. Harper is first or second in all the triple slash lines, he leads the league in runs, and is lapping the field in walks. The National League doesn't have a chance if he's not going to dislocate his shoulder again.
Washington traded away a lot of talent last year, but their youngsters are staying healthy and having good seasons. After a rough rookie year where he was pressed into action way too early, Victor Robles is getting on base at a .400 clip and has stolen 12 bases so far. Raul Mondesi has 13 steals and Trea Turner seven as Washington has really pressed the advantage on the bases.
Michael Brantley was brought aboard on a short term deal, and while the doubles are mysteriously missing, he's having a 2017 Brantley season. His average is robust, his making a ton of contact, and he's been efficient on the bases, swiping all five attempts this season.
Except for Justin Smoak, the team is light on power hitters aside from Harper. They're betting that the fact they're faster than you, will work your best hitters, and have Harper will be enough to win. So far, it's working.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jake Pennel, your team doesn't have a ton of power aside from Harper, but you have an abundance of speed. Is that by design?
Sale and Contreras aren't the best battery at holding runners. Do you plan on running at will today?
Strasburg has saved his best games for the best opponents so far, and the Cubs certainly qualify. What do you expect out of him this year and going forward after all the injuries?
For Brandon Hillebrand, what's your strategy with Harper today. He's such an amazing hitter, how do you want your team to approach him?
He's walking like crazy, but Freddie Freeman is slugging .305 this year. Are you panicking?
The Nationals run a ton, more than any team in the NL. Does that affect your approach in any way?
WAS: Stephen Strasburg (1-3, 4.17)
CHC: Chris Sale (7-1, 2.49)
The 2018 Washington Nationals had terrible luck in the doctor's office. The Chicago Cubs had terrible luck in Euclidian geometry.
With more band-aids and with a blessing from Pythagoras, the Nationals and Cubs are back to being two of the best teams in baseball.
Division leaders collide as the Washington Nationals travel to Chicago to take on the Cubs in The Game of the Week.
This clash of titans will feature a clash of two very intriguing pitchers. After a high-profile failure in the World Series last season, Chris Sale has rebounded and produced one of the best pitching lines in baseball thus far. His opponent, Stephen Strasburg, has shown some flashes of dominance as he recovers from two seasons lost to elbow ligament reconstruction.
Sale hasn't lost since opening night and is now 7-1 with a 2.49 ERA. The seven wins is tied for the NL lead, while his seven quality starts is second. He doesn't strike out hitters at nearly the same rate he did in 2017, but he doesn't give up home runs to lefties, and dominates righties to a .193 average against.
Meanwhile, though he only has one win, Stephen Strasburg snapped off a Complete Game Shutout against the Mets earlier this month. The performance hinted at Strasburg's potential dominance, and he's looked good after using the early season to build up arm strength. He hasn't shown the strikeout upside he flashed when he was younger, but he's limited his walks and kept the ball in the park.
The pitchers will have a tough time as the Nationals and Cubs are the two best offenses in the league.
From Chicago's perspective, several of their big-ticket acquisitions have really struggled thus far—and it hasn't stopped them from leading the league in runs scored. Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton are both hitting under .200, while Wilson Contreras has just a pair of home runs. However, with everybody else playing up to standards, the Cubs can afford a few down campaigns and still be dominant. This is especially true thanks to Anthony Rizzo.
With 10 home runs in his last 11 games, Anthony Rizzo has taken over the NL lead in home runs and RBIs by a fairly comfortable margin. He may hit .300 with 100 walks this season to boot. Those are first-ballot hall-of-fame type seasons. Rizzo hasn't produced to this degree in the past so it's likely the numbers come down. However, the run environment is a little better this season and his lineup is a lot deeper. He's coming off a matchup in San Diego where he hit two home runs and walked three times, a showcase of his hitting ability and the respect he's commanding.
Francisco Lindor has flanked Rizzo as the perfect leadoff hitter. He's changed the shape of his production as he's not on pace for 33 home runs this year. Instead, he's on pace for 100 walks and is getting on at a .402 clip. He's also walking more than he's striking out and playing world class defense. The Cubs gave up a ton, but they got an MVP-caliber player when they traded for Lindor. No wonder they're in first place.
If Lindor and Rizzo can provide a lead or keep things close, Juan Carrizales will likely shut things down. Having a bonkers season, Bonkers Carrizales has a 0.70 ERA in 25.2 innings. The Mexican native is second in the NL in strikeout rate among pitchers with at least 20 innings, striking out 39% of hitters he's faced. He hasn't allowed a home run yet, has allowed just one run since opening night, and might be even more dominant as he's suffered from an elevated .360 BABIP. Bonkers looks like the next great reliever in baseball.
However, while Rizzo has been marvelous and Lindor is an MVP-candidate, there's no more fearsome hitter in baseball than Bryce Harper. I mean, he won the 2017 MVP and almost won it last year in under 400 plate appearances. Harper is slashing .327/.493/.1.214, a herculean mark. His 16 home runs are a hot streak away from catching Rizzo for the league lead, and 39 RBIs are fourth. Harper is first or second in all the triple slash lines, he leads the league in runs, and is lapping the field in walks. The National League doesn't have a chance if he's not going to dislocate his shoulder again.
Washington traded away a lot of talent last year, but their youngsters are staying healthy and having good seasons. After a rough rookie year where he was pressed into action way too early, Victor Robles is getting on base at a .400 clip and has stolen 12 bases so far. Raul Mondesi has 13 steals and Trea Turner seven as Washington has really pressed the advantage on the bases.
Michael Brantley was brought aboard on a short term deal, and while the doubles are mysteriously missing, he's having a 2017 Brantley season. His average is robust, his making a ton of contact, and he's been efficient on the bases, swiping all five attempts this season.
Except for Justin Smoak, the team is light on power hitters aside from Harper. They're betting that the fact they're faster than you, will work your best hitters, and have Harper will be enough to win. So far, it's working.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jake Pennel, your team doesn't have a ton of power aside from Harper, but you have an abundance of speed. Is that by design?
Sale and Contreras aren't the best battery at holding runners. Do you plan on running at will today?
Strasburg has saved his best games for the best opponents so far, and the Cubs certainly qualify. What do you expect out of him this year and going forward after all the injuries?
For Brandon Hillebrand, what's your strategy with Harper today. He's such an amazing hitter, how do you want your team to approach him?
He's walking like crazy, but Freddie Freeman is slugging .305 this year. Are you panicking?
The Nationals run a ton, more than any team in the NL. Does that affect your approach in any way?
