Post by Commissioner Erick on May 21, 2019 23:07:44 GMT -5
Washington Nationals (44-26) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (43-28)
WAS: Max Scherzer (3-7, 6.18)
LAD: James Kaprielian (6-3, 4.70)
The Los Angeles Dodgers' ace has been out most of the season, yet the Dodgers sit in first place in the NL West. The Washington Nationals' ace has been awful, carrying an ERA of 6.18, yet the Washington Nationals sit in first place of the NL East.
Despite getting little from their best starters, everything has come up aces for the Dodgers and Nationals this year. However, one team will have to turn into a joker when the two square off for the Game of the Week.
For the Nationals, ace Max Scherzer has really struggled this year. After alternating a year in the high 2's in ERA with one in the mid 3's, he's broken the trend and carries one of 6.18. The walks are elevated, the strikeouts are way down, and the BABIP against is through the roof. The walk numbers are still better than average, and the strikeout numbers are on par with a usual starting pitcher. However, the home runs have really sank Scherzer. He's allowed 17 already. Three more and it will be the second most fly balls he'll allow in a season. In fact, Scherzer has allowed a home run in every game but one this year.
It continues a trend Scherzer has carried since last postseason where Scherzer gave up four home runs to the Dodgers in 2.1 innings in the NLDS, taking a loss. The Dodgers are not a team you want to yield home runs to.
Despite the Dodgers offensive struggles, they hit home runs at a reasonable clip. They're eighth in the league in the stat, with Nomar Mazara leading the way with 21. The lineup will offer places to hide as three regulars have two home runs or fewer, and Edwin Rios' five come with a .255 on-base percentage. How Scherzer navigates the middle-tier of Dodgers slugger—Jurrickson Profar, Cody Bellinger—will go a long way in determining the outcome.
Speaking of long balls, the Dodgers will send out James Kapriellan. Kapriellan allowed seven home runs over a two game stretch earlier this season, and has long stretches where he pitches like garbage. He's turned around his season recently though, with four straight quality starts, and three outings where he's allowed just one run. He's saved his spot in the rotation with those starts.
He'll be taking on the greatest outfield in baseball, and what may be the best outfield ever assembled when it's all said and done. Mike Trout has 20 home runs, 60 RBI's, a .331 average, and he leads the league in on-base percentage with a .463 mark. He'd lead the league in WAR and OPS as well if not for Shed Long.
After setting PBA records for home runs, RBIs, and OPS last year, Bryce Harper is having what can only be considered is a down year for him. The preeminent offensive player in baseball each year he's been healthy, Harper is only on pace for 44 home runs and only on pace for 132 RBIs this year. His average is down to .273, which would be a steep fall for the career .322 hitter. Harper still imposes fear and leads the league in walks, plus he's in the top-five in all triple slash categories and WAR. Even an off year for Harper is spectacular.
Finally, there's Victor Robles. Not as other-worldly as the other two behemoths, Robles nevertheless is having an outstanding year. He's on pace for another year in the mid-teens in home runs with 30-or-so doubles. A good eye has his on-base number pushing .400. His averaged has dipped ever so slightly and is .288 after two years at .296. However, Robles leads the league in steals with 27, and pairs it with strong play in center field. He's on pace for almost a 5-WAR season, a number only reserved for stars. That number gets dwarfed on a team with Harper and Trout, but is massive nonetheless.
It's an outfield that has the Nationals firmly in the championship hunt, aces be damned.
Questions for the GM's:
For Jake Pennell, Anthony Rendon is out until the All-Star Game it appears. Who will take his place?
Will Smith is out for the entire season after having a very strong start. Who will you call upon to replace him?
You didn't have a first-round pick but grabbed Bob Beasley in the Supplemental Round of the draft. What do you like about him?
For Troy Allenbagh, how much confidence do you have in Kapriellan having turned a corner. If he hasn't, he could have a long day here against this offense?
You have Keibert Ruiz hitting cleanup now. What has he shown to warrant hitting higher in the order in your eyes?
With a few Supplemental Round picks, you were active in the draft this year. What do you think of the selections you made?
TRIVIA: Mike Trout is Fourth and Bryce Harper is First in the All-Time Home Run leaderboard. Which two players are between them?
WAS: Max Scherzer (3-7, 6.18)
LAD: James Kaprielian (6-3, 4.70)
The Los Angeles Dodgers' ace has been out most of the season, yet the Dodgers sit in first place in the NL West. The Washington Nationals' ace has been awful, carrying an ERA of 6.18, yet the Washington Nationals sit in first place of the NL East.
Despite getting little from their best starters, everything has come up aces for the Dodgers and Nationals this year. However, one team will have to turn into a joker when the two square off for the Game of the Week.
For the Nationals, ace Max Scherzer has really struggled this year. After alternating a year in the high 2's in ERA with one in the mid 3's, he's broken the trend and carries one of 6.18. The walks are elevated, the strikeouts are way down, and the BABIP against is through the roof. The walk numbers are still better than average, and the strikeout numbers are on par with a usual starting pitcher. However, the home runs have really sank Scherzer. He's allowed 17 already. Three more and it will be the second most fly balls he'll allow in a season. In fact, Scherzer has allowed a home run in every game but one this year.
It continues a trend Scherzer has carried since last postseason where Scherzer gave up four home runs to the Dodgers in 2.1 innings in the NLDS, taking a loss. The Dodgers are not a team you want to yield home runs to.
Despite the Dodgers offensive struggles, they hit home runs at a reasonable clip. They're eighth in the league in the stat, with Nomar Mazara leading the way with 21. The lineup will offer places to hide as three regulars have two home runs or fewer, and Edwin Rios' five come with a .255 on-base percentage. How Scherzer navigates the middle-tier of Dodgers slugger—Jurrickson Profar, Cody Bellinger—will go a long way in determining the outcome.
Speaking of long balls, the Dodgers will send out James Kapriellan. Kapriellan allowed seven home runs over a two game stretch earlier this season, and has long stretches where he pitches like garbage. He's turned around his season recently though, with four straight quality starts, and three outings where he's allowed just one run. He's saved his spot in the rotation with those starts.
He'll be taking on the greatest outfield in baseball, and what may be the best outfield ever assembled when it's all said and done. Mike Trout has 20 home runs, 60 RBI's, a .331 average, and he leads the league in on-base percentage with a .463 mark. He'd lead the league in WAR and OPS as well if not for Shed Long.
After setting PBA records for home runs, RBIs, and OPS last year, Bryce Harper is having what can only be considered is a down year for him. The preeminent offensive player in baseball each year he's been healthy, Harper is only on pace for 44 home runs and only on pace for 132 RBIs this year. His average is down to .273, which would be a steep fall for the career .322 hitter. Harper still imposes fear and leads the league in walks, plus he's in the top-five in all triple slash categories and WAR. Even an off year for Harper is spectacular.
Finally, there's Victor Robles. Not as other-worldly as the other two behemoths, Robles nevertheless is having an outstanding year. He's on pace for another year in the mid-teens in home runs with 30-or-so doubles. A good eye has his on-base number pushing .400. His averaged has dipped ever so slightly and is .288 after two years at .296. However, Robles leads the league in steals with 27, and pairs it with strong play in center field. He's on pace for almost a 5-WAR season, a number only reserved for stars. That number gets dwarfed on a team with Harper and Trout, but is massive nonetheless.
It's an outfield that has the Nationals firmly in the championship hunt, aces be damned.
Questions for the GM's:
For Jake Pennell, Anthony Rendon is out until the All-Star Game it appears. Who will take his place?
Will Smith is out for the entire season after having a very strong start. Who will you call upon to replace him?
You didn't have a first-round pick but grabbed Bob Beasley in the Supplemental Round of the draft. What do you like about him?
For Troy Allenbagh, how much confidence do you have in Kapriellan having turned a corner. If he hasn't, he could have a long day here against this offense?
You have Keibert Ruiz hitting cleanup now. What has he shown to warrant hitting higher in the order in your eyes?
With a few Supplemental Round picks, you were active in the draft this year. What do you think of the selections you made?
TRIVIA: Mike Trout is Fourth and Bryce Harper is First in the All-Time Home Run leaderboard. Which two players are between them?
