| 06 June 2010
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| A blown save, a comeback, but a loss for the Nationals |
| Page 2 |
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ANALYSIS:
For the first six weeks of the season, anybody you talked to would've told you confidently that Matt Capps had to be the Nationals representative at this year's All-Star Game. Now, one has to worry about the state of the back-end of the bullpen. Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen have been fantastic, both posting sub-2.00 ERAs. June has just been awful for Capps, even though its only been four appearances. But, three blown saves in four chances this month, and the Nationals sitting in last place seven games behind the red hot Braves, maybe you give some save chances to Storen or Clippard. Yes, it is still very early and yes, I don't expect the NL East to be won any time soon. But, consider the Braves are 19-6 at home, the Phillies offense will recover and the Mets are a Major League-best 22-9 at home. If the Nationals hold a ninth inning lead of two runs or less right now and Capps comes on to close the door, are you feeling any bit comfortable?
Personally, I think the role of closer on the team is a misused position to begin with because I've always thought your best reliever should come in when the game is in need of true saving, regardless of what inning that is. But, if you are to save your best for last, if Matt Capps your best option right now? The simple answer is no, and if Drew Storen is the long-term solution at closer for the Nationals, maybe it's his time to get saves now.
Also, today the Nationals announced that catcher Ivan Rodriguez should be back in time to be behind the plate for Strasburg's Major League debut. A future Hall of Fame catcher catching "The Future".
The Nationals have off Monday, then start a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates when some guy named Stephen Strasburg is expected to make his much anticipated debut.
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