Post by Erick RockiesGM on Apr 13, 2017 17:33:48 GMT -8
Washington Nationals (0-0) @ New York Mets (0-0)
WAS: Max Scherzer (0-0, 0.00)
NYM: Noah Syndergaard (0-0, 0.00)
The two contenders in the NL East are a pair of stacked teams with stacked rotations. The best of each of those rotations do battle opening night.
For the Nationals, Max Scherzer is a true ace. Blessed with excellent secondaries, Scherzer is comfortable blowing his fastball by hitters up in the zone, then putting them away with a disappearing changeup or a wipeout slider. Scouts describe him as having "the ability to sit batters down in a hurry," but he also has excellent stamina should hitters try to make him work.
Scherzer's counterpart is Noah Synderagaard. His frame is huge, at 6-5, 240 pounds. His stuff is even bigger. He routinely touches the high 90s, works down in the zone, and puts hitters away with a 90's+ slider. Scouts rave about his mechanics---which allow his stuff to play up---as well the late-break on his pitches. Electric and imposing, it's no wonder Syndergaard's nickname is Thor.
A starter like Syndergard allows the Mets to play subpar defensive lineups, knowing there won't be many balls in play. The right side of the infield and left side of the outfield is fine for the Mets, but there are questions everywhere else. David Wright is a shell of himself at the plate, let alone in the field. How much will he play? In Wilmer Flores, Jose Reyes, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Gavin Cecchini, it isn't as if the Mets have standout defensive options in his place. However, in Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce, and especially Yoenis Cespedis, the Mets do have power bats in the outfield. If there won't be many fly balls to track down with Syndergaard pitching, might as well play outfielders who can hit it over the fence right?
Washington has one of the best in the business for that, though, in Bryce Harper. Incredibly power, with a great eye, Harper has the ability to wait out any assortment of pitches before driving the one he wants to hit over the fence. He can also run a little, and is a strong defender in right. In short, he's electric in his own right, and his battles against Syndergaard may decide the outcome.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jason Zimmerman, how worried are you in starting your season off against an electric pitcher like Syndergaard?
You have a pair of strong relief pitchers in Shawn Kelley and Blake Treinen. Which one closes and why?
Ryan Zimmerman's nickname is "The Z-Man." Is that your nickname as well?
For Finlay Bennie, your team has numerous defensive liabilities. Does that concern you at all?
You have a number of options to play the left side of the infield. How will you divide playing time amongst Wright, Cabrera, Reyes, and everyone else?
Are you the kind of manager who has no problems challenging Bryce Harper or would you rather let anybody else beat you?
WAS: Max Scherzer (0-0, 0.00)
NYM: Noah Syndergaard (0-0, 0.00)
The two contenders in the NL East are a pair of stacked teams with stacked rotations. The best of each of those rotations do battle opening night.
For the Nationals, Max Scherzer is a true ace. Blessed with excellent secondaries, Scherzer is comfortable blowing his fastball by hitters up in the zone, then putting them away with a disappearing changeup or a wipeout slider. Scouts describe him as having "the ability to sit batters down in a hurry," but he also has excellent stamina should hitters try to make him work.
Scherzer's counterpart is Noah Synderagaard. His frame is huge, at 6-5, 240 pounds. His stuff is even bigger. He routinely touches the high 90s, works down in the zone, and puts hitters away with a 90's+ slider. Scouts rave about his mechanics---which allow his stuff to play up---as well the late-break on his pitches. Electric and imposing, it's no wonder Syndergaard's nickname is Thor.
A starter like Syndergard allows the Mets to play subpar defensive lineups, knowing there won't be many balls in play. The right side of the infield and left side of the outfield is fine for the Mets, but there are questions everywhere else. David Wright is a shell of himself at the plate, let alone in the field. How much will he play? In Wilmer Flores, Jose Reyes, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Gavin Cecchini, it isn't as if the Mets have standout defensive options in his place. However, in Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce, and especially Yoenis Cespedis, the Mets do have power bats in the outfield. If there won't be many fly balls to track down with Syndergaard pitching, might as well play outfielders who can hit it over the fence right?
Washington has one of the best in the business for that, though, in Bryce Harper. Incredibly power, with a great eye, Harper has the ability to wait out any assortment of pitches before driving the one he wants to hit over the fence. He can also run a little, and is a strong defender in right. In short, he's electric in his own right, and his battles against Syndergaard may decide the outcome.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jason Zimmerman, how worried are you in starting your season off against an electric pitcher like Syndergaard?
You have a pair of strong relief pitchers in Shawn Kelley and Blake Treinen. Which one closes and why?
Ryan Zimmerman's nickname is "The Z-Man." Is that your nickname as well?
For Finlay Bennie, your team has numerous defensive liabilities. Does that concern you at all?
You have a number of options to play the left side of the infield. How will you divide playing time amongst Wright, Cabrera, Reyes, and everyone else?
Are you the kind of manager who has no problems challenging Bryce Harper or would you rather let anybody else beat you?
