The Monday Takeaway
It’s gotta be the salsa.
It’s gotta be the manager.
Would like to take this moment to point out how #Nationals double-switched the reigning NL Player of the Week out of the lineup, did not get more than an inning from the pitcher put in that spot, and oh look what spot in the order is up in the ninth of a game #stlcards could tie.
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) August 14, 2018
It’s gotta be something else.
Davey Martinez: “I don’t know what else to do.”
— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) August 14, 2018
It’s gotta be another hard night for the Nats.
It’s gotta be hard to do all this without Brandon Kintzler and Shawn Kelley.
It’s gotta be hard to find a sliver of hope for the playoffs.
It’s gotta be the Nattitude.
Quick Hits from Monday
He’s not Juan Soto, and the trip to the DL didn’t help. But it feels like we’ve somehow lost track of how good Ronald Acuña has been. The Braves played a doubleheader, and their newly minted leadoff hitter did some pretty good leading off.
Acuña is just 20 years old. What the heck are you doing with your life?
***
The best pitcher in New York had his good stuff going.
Jacob deGrom makes it look easy. It seems as if he’s being punished for it by being made to languish with the Mets. The Amazin’s prevailed this time, though. You can thank deGrom, and a bunch of home runs, for that.
***
Kenley Jansen’s heart condition is no laughing matter. It’s a scary condition, and we all wish him the best. His absence, however, has made the Dodgers’ bullpen issues even more pronounced.
Los Angeles was one out away from a win after eight brilliant innings from Clayton Kershaw. Then it all fell apart. The Dodger bullpen could not record three outs. The Dodgers look vulnerable, especially given the post-game medical news about Brian Dozier (abnormal EKG) and John Axford (fracture). The NL West is a weird place.
Defensive Play of the Day
When you think of dazzling diving plays and Cleveland, you think of Francisco Lindor.
Lindor wishes he had Mike Clevinger’s hair.
What to Watch on Tuesday
Afternoon divisional grudge-match baseball! The Cubs and Brewers play at 2:20 Eastern. Jhoulys Chacin and Jose Quintana will be the starters.
Tune in to Rockies-Astros at 8:10 if you’re in the mood for a dose of Justin Verlander. German Marquez gets the nod for Colorado.
Then for your West Coast night game, you’ve gotta go with A’s-Mariners. The Wild Card race throwdown features James Paxton and Mike Fiers.
Thank you for reading
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