Game 43 discussion thread: Nationals vs. Orioles
Pretty much since the Nationals arrived in Washington, people have wanted to know if Nationals-Orioles constitutes any kind of rivalry. (Either that, or they've been trying to turn it into a rivalry; get ready to get sick of the phrase "Battle of the Beltway.") And the answer has remained pretty much the same, because the teams have remained pretty much the same: The opportunity for a rivalry exists, but the teams have not played well enough for it to blossom into much of anything.
"I would like to think that there will be soon," Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman said. "As I watching baseball, growing up watching the Senators and Orioles, the Orioles dominated those games back in those days. I think it's really only going to become a meaningful rivalry when both clubs are playing well in their respective leagues and their divisions. This has potential for a real good rivalry."
For tonight, the Nationals will face David Hernandez, who's 0-5 and has an ERA scraping six. Nats starter Scott Olsen has become one of the hottest pitches in the major leagues - his 1.11 ERA since April 25 ranks third in the majors behind only Ubaldo Jimenez and David Price.
One important public service piece of information: The Nationals this weekend are staging a food drive to help the Capital Area Foodbank. Through the fourth inning on Saturday and Sunday, fans can drop off any non-perishable food item at any gate. You can bring as many items as you want.
As for tonight's game, talk about it right here.
By
Adam Kilgore
|
May 21, 2010; 7:00 PM ET
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Posted by: BinM | May 21, 2010 7:21 PM | Report abuse
The curse of Debbie Taylor.
Posted by: Vze2sr66 | May 21, 2010 7:26 PM | Report abuse
Olsen's fastball seems just a touch off early (88-89mph); He looks like he's throwing to good spots, but the O's are jumping on him early in the count.
Posted by: BinM | May 21, 2010 7:31 PM | Report abuse
If nothing else the O's can hit, the Nat's can't afford to fall way behind and this lineup as i've said before ain't scaring nobody not even the sorry azz O's.
Posted by: dargregmag | May 21, 2010 7:36 PM | Report abuse
So when are we going to start questioning what McCatty is doing with the pitchers?
Posted by: Vze2sr66 | May 21, 2010 7:56 PM | Report abuse
Olsen can't get to the inside 1/3rd of the plate against RH's tonight - This is not good.
Posted by: BinM | May 21, 2010 7:58 PM | Report abuse
Why not pinch hit stammen over Livan? I know livan isn't bad either, but stammen has been downright respectable this year.
Posted by: amorris525 | May 21, 2010 8:07 PM | Report abuse
@amorris:
Stammen is the scheduled starter tomorrow - Riggleman doesn't want to risk getting him hurt.
Posted by: BinM | May 21, 2010 8:11 PM | Report abuse
This team makes every opposing pitcher look like Cy Young.
Posted by: Vze2sr66 | May 21, 2010 9:10 PM | Report abuse
WHAT IS UP WITH THE NON-HITTING ON THIS TEAM!!!!!! Batista the relief pitcher has the only hit?
They are really frustrating the fans!
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:12 PM | Report abuse
Who is the Orioles bimbo who said after the Orioles outfielder left the game with a cramp, "we don't know if he will return to the game"?
Posted by: MKadyman | May 21, 2010 9:13 PM | Report abuse
Amber is a lot hotter than Taylor...for sure.
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:14 PM | Report abuse
Hernandez started this game with an era damn near 6! and we're making this guy look like Roger Freakin Clemens i mean you gotta be kidding me.
Posted by: dargregmag | May 21, 2010 9:14 PM | Report abuse
How much do they pay Rick Eckstein?
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:18 PM | Report abuse
The Nats can get something going against their bullpen, right?
Posted by: urbanbunnies | May 21, 2010 9:20 PM | Report abuse
Ok...we got one run. Three more innings to go and Storen coming in to pitch.
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:30 PM | Report abuse
Still Bautista. C'mon pitch 'em well!!
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:33 PM | Report abuse
Way to pitch Batista!!! 3 up...3 down!! Now let's get some runs!
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:37 PM | Report abuse
Atta boy Willie!
Posted by: urbanbunnies | May 21, 2010 9:42 PM | Report abuse
Atta boy WILLIE!
Posted by: amorris525 | May 21, 2010 9:43 PM | Report abuse
Willy!! Willy!!! Now 4-3. I feel a comeback!!!
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:43 PM | Report abuse
Zimm on, new pitcher, Dunn up. Let's take the LEAD!!!
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:47 PM | Report abuse
Oh, well. Dunn tried. On to the eighth.
Posted by: M20832 | May 21, 2010 9:52 PM | Report abuse
Drew looks SO young.
Posted by: Nats_Lady | May 21, 2010 9:58 PM | Report abuse
Oh, Carpenter, please don't start the "how far is this one going" on warning-track outs again... It was such a nice respite, only hearing it when it was going to at least the 3rd row of the stands. Old habits, I guess.
Posted by: HotNats | May 21, 2010 10:15 PM | Report abuse
Just tuned into the game. Too band about Olsen. Desmond was bashed earlier today on this site. He just saved a base hit on a beautiful play. He is our SS for this and the next two seasons. Then we'll see about Espinosa.
Sec 204 Row H Seat 7
Posted by: ehardwick | May 21, 2010 10:21 PM | Report abuse
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Rivalry, schmivalry - The best it's amounted to since 2005 has been regional bragging rights for two sub-.500 teams, in terms of actual baseball.
Where it cuts down to the bone is the Angelos/MASN connection; That's the only place that Nationals' fans feel any passion, and they really, Really, REALLY dislike Angelos. Oddly enough, so do a fair number of Orioles' fans.