UPDATE: Seattle never disappoints as the Mariners continue to coast aimlessly towards the end of the season, blowing a 3-0 lead and losing 5-3 to Oakland.
Here are the updated standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | ‘GB’ | G to go | Tragic # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 57 | 98 | 0.368 | - | 7 | 7 |
| Washington | 58 | 98 | 0.372 | 0.5 | 6 | - |
| San Diego | 61 | 95 | 0.391 | 3.5 | 6 | 3 |
For those interested, here is what to watch for the final week of the season …
From Seattle’s perspective with seven games left
- Any combination of Padres wins and Mariners losses totaling three OR any combination of Nationals wins and Mariners losses totaling six clinch the 2nd overall pick in the draft for the Mariners
- If both of the above happen, the Mariners clinch the #1 overall pick
- The Mariners can pick no worse than #3
From Washington’s perspective with six games left
- Any combination of Padres wins and Nationals losses totaling three OR any combination Mariners wins and Nationals losses totaling seven clinch the 2nd overall pick in the draft for the Nats
- If both of the above happen, the Nats clinch the #1 overall pick
- The Nationals can pick no worse than #3
From San Diego’s perspective with six games left
- Any combination of Nationals wins and Padres losses totaling ten OR any combination of Mariners wins and Padres losses totaling ten clinch the 2nd pick in the draft for the Padres
- If both of the above happen, the Padres clinch the #1 overall pick
- The Padres “tragic” number with Pittsburgh is three
- The Padres “tragic” number with Baltimore is one (pending tonight’s result)
- The Padres can pick no worse than #5
Well, that was an ugly weekend.
The Nationals just finished getting swept by the San Diego Padres in a three game series at Nationals Park.
With that loss, the Pittsburgh Pirates were “eliminated” and therefore the Nats are guaranteed no worse than the #3 pick in the draft.
After this afternoon’s loss and prior to the final result from the Seattle and Oakland game, here are the standings …
| Team | W | L | PCT | ‘GB’ | G to go | Tragic # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 57 | 97 | 0.370 | - | 8 | 7 |
| Washington | 58 | 98 | 0.372 | - | 6 | - |
| San Diego | 61 | 95 | 0.391 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
Keep in mind that the tie for worst record will be broken one way or another with the final result by the Mariners today.
The Nats are off on Monday and the finish with three at home against Florida and three in Philadelphia to close out the season.
San Diego is also off on Monday before visiting the Dodgers for three and closing out with three at home against Pittsburgh.
After today’s game at Oakland, Seattle finishes with seven games at home, four with the Angels and three with the Athletics.
The Nats need the Mariners to win at least one game to have a chance at the first overall draft pick.
Andrew S. | 21-Sep-08 at 5:04 pm | Permalink
I am terrified that the Nats won’t get the #1 pick. Scared to death.
Ronny | 21-Sep-08 at 5:51 pm | Permalink
I will gladly take #2 pick if we don’t get the first.
BF | 21-Sep-08 at 6:09 pm | Permalink
I’ll gladly take #2 as well. The PR on having the worst record combined with the “lerners are cheap” crowd, the debut of a new stadium, and the failure of signing bird man, may be just too great to overcome for a long time.
Positively Half St. | 21-Sep-08 at 6:10 pm | Permalink
Seattle is up 3-0 late in their game with Oakland.
Positively Half St. | 21-Sep-08 at 6:22 pm | Permalink
Never mind. Now it is tied.
Andrew S. | 21-Sep-08 at 6:23 pm | Permalink
I’d take #2 if the Nats were competetive for most of the season and are 10 games back of the #1 pick. But they stink. So why not get pick #1?
Andrew S. | 21-Sep-08 at 7:09 pm | Permalink
Seattles blows it.
bangzoom | 21-Sep-08 at 7:21 pm | Permalink
Josh Whitesell hit a home run today for Arizona… Would be nice to be trying him out for a starting job in DC for 2009. Another bungling of the 40-man roster. Ugh.
Positively Half St. | 21-Sep-08 at 7:24 pm | Permalink
And now the Mariners are losing. Sheesh.
JayB | 21-Sep-08 at 7:51 pm | Permalink
Brain,
The Josh Whitesell point is a good one. He looked good in Spring Training and I doubt he would have left so many runners on base this weekend as Casto did. All we needed to do keep him on the 25 man roster, instead we keep Estrada, Lopez, Lo Duca, Casto, Rob M, none of which (yes including Casto), will here next year.
I understand hind sight is always perfect but how is this team going to improve making such horrendous errors in roster management.
Don’t want to sound too much like Steven but remind me again why Jim Bowden should keep his job…….Win and Loses are what matters and he has just about the worst career record of any GM in Baseball right?
Nats fan in NJ | 21-Sep-08 at 8:21 pm | Permalink
Still think Bowden needs to go if for no other reason than to shake things up. That being said, I think he’s down enough to both get fired and to keep his job (if that makes sense). As for the second or third pick, I think I’m okay with either Green (the SS) or the pitcher from Carolina. Of course, Seattle may pass on Strausberg (speaking of cheap) which would be a PR nightmare for them but a blessing for us.
The key, really, is that they have to sign both picks. No excuses.
Dick | 21-Sep-08 at 8:35 pm | Permalink
Seattle has lost 11 in a row. I think the O’s still have the all-time record with 23 straight losses, although that could just be to start the season. If the Nats play normally against the Fish, they stand a reasonably good chance of getting swept. If they go to Philly with them in a dog fight with the Mets, they could get swept there, too. That probably requires Milwaukee to win some more games this week.
Seattle may lose 18 straight to end the season but likely won’t. Plus, they are at home all 7. They are putting pressure on us to lose the next 6, though.
I think we pretty well locked up pick number 2 today. Regarding Strasburg, it ain’t over ’til it’s over! And there is always a 10% chance that the M’s pass on him, too.
j | 21-Sep-08 at 9:46 pm | Permalink
I’m hoping the Angels clinch home field soon and then rest their studs. They are already starting to do that somewhat, giving Guerrero, Hunter a day off here and there. And the A’s stink. Maybe the Mariners can win a game or two from them at home (course, they got swept on the road–and lets be honest, the Mariners stink). Go M’s, Go Nats, thank you Pads.
So Brian…with the #2 pick the Nats draft…….
RD | 22-Sep-08 at 1:07 am | Permalink
As long as we finish in the top two, we’re ok. Obviously Strasburg is the real prize, but Grant Green is a nice consolation prize.
They compare him to Evan Longoria, except he can remain at SS.
Since the team needs bats, it is a nice fallback option.
Green and Zimmerman on the left side of the infield would give us one of the best defensive and offensive pairs of left side infielders in the league.
Mark | 22-Sep-08 at 11:37 am | Permalink
Ugg. This game watch / countdown is making me literally sick to my stomach. Blech.
phil dunn | 22-Sep-08 at 3:07 pm | Permalink
I have a question aboutyour previous commentary regard the Nats signing an agreement with the Syracuse Chiefs. Why did the Blue Jays pull out of Syracuse after 31 years? Did the Chief kick the Blue Jays out or was it vice-versa. The Chiefs have a top notch facility, good ownership and the location is ideal for a Triple A Toronto farm team. Moving the affiliation to Las Vegas makes no sense to me. What am I missing?
Brian Oliver | 22-Sep-08 at 3:37 pm | Permalink
Syracuse tired of not winning with Toronto. After 23/31 losing seasons, the Chiefs ownership was hoping to lure the Mets to town. After that fell through, the Nationals were the next best option.
estuartj | 22-Sep-08 at 3:40 pm | Permalink
Phil, the SkyChiefs made clear they were unhappy with the talent they had gotten from Toronto, the Blue Jays in turn made a big push for Buffalo, only to be beaten out by the Mets (who everyone had thought were going to Syracuse).
Basically the Jays burned their bridge with Syracuse and are now getting to boobie prize of having Las Vegas as their AAA affiliate.
Berndaddy | 22-Sep-08 at 4:13 pm | Permalink
estuartj - I haven’t heard or read “boobie prize” in a long time. Cool!!!
estuartj | 22-Sep-08 at 4:40 pm | Permalink
I thought the combination of boobie and Las Vegas was a nice touch.
Not to be confused with touching nice boobies in Vegas.
phil dunn | 22-Sep-08 at 5:05 pm | Permalink
Brian, Thanks for answering the question. I hope the Nats can deliver a winning team in Syracuse. I like the Route 81 set up, Syracuse, Harrisburg and Hagerstown. I had preferred a Triple A affiliation with Richmond but baseball is dead there until they build a new stadium. Additionally, purchasing an International League franchise and moving it to Richmond is probably a non starter. Phil
Jeff | 23-Sep-08 at 1:03 pm | Permalink
Grant Green, Ryan Zimmerman, Smiley “I left my range in the Dominican” Gonzalez, Chris “I’m stuck at 1B cause this ain’t the American League” Marrero, and Jesus Flores in the infield.
Elijah Dukes, Lastings Milledge, and ??(Burgess if he cuts his K’s down from 23 K’s per 1 BB) in the OF… Sound good for 2011?
Ronny | 23-Sep-08 at 8:29 pm | Permalink
Jeff- That lineup looks really good. Zimmerman @ 3B, Green @ SS, Smiley @ 2B, and Marrero @ 1B along with the other guys at catcher and in the outfield, WOW!! Can you say HOMERUN POWER.
Jeff | 26-Sep-08 at 10:07 am | Permalink
The key is for Marrero REALLY to step up and have a big year after the injury…