One hundred and fifty-nine down, three to go.
If the Phillies sweep their series with the Washington Nationals this weekend, it matters not what the Mets do in their three-game series with the Marlins. Should the Phils win 2 out of 3, the worst they can do is end up with the Wild Card.
With those scenarios in mind, it's worth finding out from someone who follows the Nationals closely the type of team the Phillies will host this weekend. The author of Nationals Enquirer was kind enough to oblige and answer some questions.
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The Nationals have a tendency to try and play spoiler this year as much as possible. Can the Phillies expect a fight this weekend?
I wouldn’t say the Nationals have a tendency to try to be a spoiler; it just sort of works out that way because, well, they stink, and inevitably they wind up playing contending teams in the NL East (i.e., the Mets and Phillies) in games that count late in the season. And of course when you’re facing a bunch of professional choke-artists like the Mets, you’re bound to win a few.
With that said, the Phillies should expect the Nats to play hard this weekend, especially given the bad blood that has emerged between the two teams since last summer (when John Lannan broke Chase Utley’s hand with a pitch) which flared up a few times since then -- most recently earlier this month after Utley’s home plate collision with Nats’ catcher Jesus Flores (for the record, The Nationals Enquirer staff didn’t think it was a dirty play by Utley). We’ll see if there’s any carryover this weekend. At the very least, we’re hoping for a bench clearing brawl to keep it interesting (for us).
It appears as if the Nationals front office is in turmoil. Will that be a distraction to the players?
Only if the checks don’t get cut. I guess you’re asking if the turmoil could be a distraction next season; because at this point we’re talking about a 99-loss-and-counting team with 3 games to go before they get to go play golf for the next five months. Distraction, disinterest, etc. set in months ago (which is not to say I think the Nats will simply lie down this weekend – see my previous answer). But yeah, there have been lots of rumors swirling recently about strained relations between the Lerner Family (Principal owners) and Stan Kasten (team president), and Stan Kasten and Jim Bowden (GM). But if there’s going to be a shakeup of any kind in the Nats’ FO, which will be (pick one) either Kasten stepping down or Bowden getting canned, my guess is that it will happen quickly (think: Monday, September 29) and will not bleed over into next season. At this point though, I’m guessing nothing changes.
Who's hot? Who's not?
Hot? Left-handed reliever Mike Hinckley, who back in 2005 was the top ranked prospect in the Nationals’ organization (which, considering MLB’s scorched-earth policy on the Expos farm system, isn’t saying much), then got injured and struggled mightily in the minors for the last few years before earning a September call up. Since being called up, he’s got a 0.00 ERA in 11.2 innings, 8 strikeouts. He's one of the few feel-good stories for the Nationals this season.
Can we skip the “Who’s not?” question? Thanks. It’s been a long season.
Any particular player or prospect on the current roster fighting hard so as to impress for next year?
There are a few guys in that category, namely the aforementioned Hinckley. I’d probably put CF Roger Bernadina (who hasn’t shown he can handle major league pitching, but has wheels and is solid with the glove) in there too, since he’s got an outside shot at being a fourth outfielder next season. Then there’s a whole boatload of slick-fielding, can’t-hit middle infielders jockeying for position (Alberto Gonzalez, Anderson Hernandez, Emilio Bonifacio).
But maybe the most interesting guy to watch this weekend is veteran reclamation project Odalis Perez, who managed to resurrect his career in Washington this season – he went from signing a minor league deal in the spring, to Nats’ Opening Day starter, to becoming one of the most consistent starters in their rotation (much better than his 7-11 record indicates). He’d probably love to come back to Washington next year, but there’s a chance that with another solid start under his belt to finish up the 2008 campaign, especially against a team like the Phillies, other teams might start sniffing around. His performance to-date this year has guaranteed him a job somewhere next season, the question is where and for how much money.
Finally, John Lannan and Odalis Perez, both left-handers, are listed as the probable starters for Friday and Saturday. For Sunday, game number 162, Shairon Martis, righty, is schedule for Sunday. What kind of pitcher is Martis?
Because of last night’s rainout, the starting assignments have gotten shuffled around a bit. Martis, who has shown flashes of potential but has been inconsistent in four starts, will pitch out of the bullpen. Rookie Collin Balester, who was slated to start last night, will pitch tonight; John Lannan will go Saturday; Odalis Perez will go Sunday. Weather permitting, of course.
With any luck, they’ll play all three games this weekend, and like the Nationals, the Phillies will start their off-season late Sunday afternoon.
What can you tell us about Balester?
Balester was one of the top rated pitchers in the Nats' minor league system going into the season; got called up in from AAA Columbus in July, and has stuck around in the rotation since. Fastball in the low-to-mid 90s. He's shown flashes of his potential, but has been mostly inconsistent -- and not just from game-to-game, but from inning-to-inning, really. Got knocked aroundhis last time out (against the Padres, no less). Hasn't won a game (or been involved in a decision) since August 26th.
