Unfortunately, I don't get to watch the games either. Every year I say I'm going to buy the MLB Premium pkg. but every yr. I end up not doing so. I had a 2 wk. free trial w/it and it was GREAT, but that was a few yrs. back, when I had MUCH more time on my hands and could watch a TON of baseball. Unfortunately, that's no longer the case so I'm afraid it just wouldn't be worth it to me to pay for that pkg.killeverything wrote:I think, like what I was harpin' on your Reds about it's their youth. They're probably exaughsted, mentally tired, etc. I know that's a very "Joe Buck-esque" level of half assed analysis and like Joe Buck, I didn't watch the games.
There is just a lot to be said for this occurence, especially for a team possibly lacking veteran leadership ( see: Seattle Mariners ). That's my guess.
Could be exactly what you're saying. Would certainly be interested in hearing from someone who watches the Nats regularly to see what their personal observations have been with their recent string of L's. Pitching going to shit? Offense ran dry? Makes me wonder even more so as to what is going to happen to that team when they do indeed shut down Strausberg. Gio and Jordan are pretty darn good, but Edwin and (don't even remember their other starters name) are hit/miss from what I have been able to tell.
In 2010, I KNEW we were going out 1st rd. I had no doubts. I thought we might steal a game (2nd game we certainly should have), but we were not going past the Phillies. This year, I think this team could go all the way. I also think they could go out in the 1st round. But, most importantly of all, at this point...lets get there first. But this Reds team is miles better than the 2010 team IMO.
And Todd Frazier....just raked in 2 more runs w/a triple. Man has this guy been (unexpectedly) fucking awesome.
But as it stands, they're only 4 back from TX. and are currently tied w/the Orioles for the WC. Once again, pitching, pitching, pitching. Can they keep it up through Sept., even w/the loss of Colon? I think it's VERY possible. All the talking heads said around the All-Star break that they would start dropping and probably be buried by the end of Aug. Well, it's the end of Aug. and they're currently on a 7 game winning streak and showing no signs of slowing down, even with the loss of Colon. Once again, pitching, pitching, pitching. 
Yeah, Meso is the better catcher (has a much stronger arm, seems to be a tad better at blocking pitches in the dirt/wild pitches/etc.) - BUT, Meso, thus far appears to be a guy that's going to end up w/a career .240-ish, maybe .250 BA, while Grandal is a switch-hitter (that alone makes me froth at the mouth a little bit, I LOVE a GOOD switch-hitter and thus far, Grandal appears to be just that). Grandal also appears to be getting better and better at calling a good game. He has had less time in the minors/majors, and other than a weaker arm, he already appears to be the better overall catcher IMO. Meso has never really lit it up on an offensive scale, but once again, we come back to raw defensive catching ability and that cannon of an arm he has. Is that, ultimately, worth more than a bit of a weaker-armed but, in a very small sample size, guy that appears as though the sky could be the limit offensively? Did the front office guys/scouts/etc. know something I surely do not when they chose to deal Grandal instead of Meso? I sure do hope so because as things stand, I absolutely would have kept Grandal. I don't care about giving up Alonso - he was blocked by Votto. I sure as HELL do not give a fuck about giving up Volquez. He was only by the slightest of margins above "suck" level IMO. With our bullpen in the shape that it is, I don't mind that we dealt Boxberger, a guy whom it certainly appears could have a nice future in some form of a bullpen role. But Grandal, man...........(and I certainly do hope that time proves me wrong and the Reds brass correct in keeping Meso, but as of now, I have my doubts).