We don't know what happened here. We just know it was bad. But that's been the case all season long for the Kansas City Royals who are not named Zack Greinke.
The Nats can get better. Really they can.
Who's going to close for the Phillies?
Leading Off
Alright, Paul Hagen. He's thinking outside the box.
He writes that rookie Tyler Walker could be the closer.
While we still think the Phillies' best option is to put Pedro Martinez there, we wouldn't mind seeing Walker in the spot.
York Daily Record reporter Jeff Frantz, whom we all know to be a bright mind when it comes to baseball, thinks JA Happ could be good too.
Manuel won't rule out Happy endings.
The problem with moving Happ or Martinez to the closing position is that you lose them as a starter.
But what if you don't make it there because leads from Lee Hamels and Blanton aren't protected?
Than how important are Happ and Martinez?
Regional Roundup
- It was an interesting scene in Milwaukee's visiting clubhouse. Jimmy Watch: 2-for-3, walk, two runs scored, three runs batted in, his 20th home run. Magic Number: 4
- Who will manage the Nationals in 2010 is just one of many questions that need to be answered soon. For more Washington news, stick around for The Closer.
- Melvin Mora is ready to say goodbye.
- The Pirates had fewer than 3,000 fans to see them get swept by the Reds. The Pirates picked a pitcher off the Yankees 40 man roster.
- The Giants suffered a stunning loss that crippled their playoff hopes and their fans will remember it for years.
- If the Twins are going to catch the Tiger's their going to have to beat the Royals' ace. Twice.
- Speaking of dominant American League starters, Justin Verlander is capping his season with a strong finish.
- The Rockies, however, haven't made it easy on themselves.
- David Ortiz is heating up as the Red Sox close in on the playoffs.
- The Cardinals can clinch tonight.
- Analyzing the Joba rules. The Yankees probably could have simplified things a bit if they wanted to make this work.
Today in history
1965 -- Satchel Paige, at 60, became the oldest player in the majors, taking the mound for Kansas City and pitching three scoreless innings over the Boston Red Sox. He gave up one hit, to Carl Yastrzemski.
1984 -- Rusty Staub of the Mets became the second player to hit homers as a teenager and past his 40th birthday. Ty Cobb was the other.
1998 -- The New York Yankees set the AL record for wins with their 112th, beating Tampa Bay 6-1 to break the victory mark held by the 1954 Cleveland Indians.
The Closer
The Washington Nationals are now the first team since the 1972-73 Padres to lose 100 games in back-to-back seasons. This team has been ridiculously bad for too long. But there are some pieces here.
We know about Ryan Zimmerman. The Nats are banking on Jordan Zimmerman returning. And they need to make sure Stephen Strasburg is more Roy Halliday than Todd Van Poppel.
The Nats would be smart to move one of their better position players this off-season.
The market probably won't be that great for Adam Dunn, especially with Bobby Abreu, Jason Bay and Matt Holliday hitting the market. However, Christian Guzman might fetch the Nationals a decent prospect or two.
He is just 31 and has averaged a .301 batting average and 30 doubles to go along with his spectacular defense.
He could be a fit with almost any team.
And if the Nats get what they deserve, they should start to see more improvement sooner, rather than later.
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