#Juan Soto needs to stay

[dinosaurwithablog]

It's starting.... top of the 3rd and Will Warren is falling apart. As I said, he should be a relief pitcher because he can only throw 1 or 2 innings before he walks a lot of batters or gives them pitches that they can hit. A run just scored. There's only one out. There are men on first and second. Warren just pitched a 3 run homer to Brendan Donovan and cleared the bases. Now he threw a double that was almost a homer. They had a mound visit, but he's still pitching. Get him outta there. Please. He's given away 4 home runs and is struggling to get the last out. No one is warming up in the bullpen. Thank God Verdugo had an amazing throw to home plate just now to get the out or the Cardinals would've scored yet another run. Boone should change the pitcher in the 4th inning, but he's an idiot so I doubt that he will. I really, really wanted to be wrong. I really wanted to have to eat my words, but NOOOOOOO. Will Warren is not ready to be a starter. He's good, but he's not ready. Boone is gonna destroy his confidence if he keeps letting him lose games for the Yankees. It's a shame. He's also gonna lose Juan Soto if he allows pitching to lose games, and he's destroying the morale of the team by letting the bullpen lose game after game after game.... Boone has been making bad decisions for years in regard to the bullpen. It's hard to watch. LET'S GO YANKEES!!!!!

[mattsunsdollie]

Happier Endings

Juan Soto x Fem!Reader

Requested: could u maybe do a softer blurb about comforting him after the ws loss??

Juan wasn’t used to the feeling of losing. Constantly pushing himself past his own limits to help the team win. However, today was just not the team’s day, making little errors that caused the opponent to win. You know that deep down that’s what probably bothered Juan the most, mistakes that should have never happened.

When you hear the door of your shared apartment open, and you don’t hear him laughing or talking loudly. Instead it’s just silent, until you hear his duffle bag hit the floor loudly, and then you hear his steps approach the living room. You see his tall figure slumped slightly, “Don’t be so hard on yourself love” you say. Opening your arms inviting him to lay on you, and he does just that.

Positioning himself on the couch with his head on your stomach your hands find his, massaging the palms lightly. “If only I ran faster or maybe if I just walked. I don’t know maybe I-“ and you cut him off. “You did your best, and that’s what matters. Everyone has off days, don’t think about the ifs” and he stays silent.

He stays still for a minute or two, the only movement is the rhythmic rising of his chest when he breathes. “I just don’t want to disappoint anyone” and his walls start to crumble. You rub circles on his shoulders, “You could never disappoint anyone” and you hope he believes it, because it’s true.

“The team paid a lot for me, what if they think they wasted all of that money?” and the root of the insecurity is revealed. You grab his hands, holding them firmly. “You’re worth every penny, if not more” and for the first time that night you see a small smile form on his lips.

“Even when you don’t win, I’m proud of you. I still think you’re a phenomenal player, with amazing talent. The next game will be better” You grab his chin to make sure he looks at you. A man like him who has the pressure of the world on his shoulders rarely found it possible to be vulnerable.

“You’re right princesa” he said before kissing your hand. The look of disappointment not leaving his features just yet, but it was subsiding slowly. “I’ll make you some tea, go shower and get comfortable” and he obliges. By the time you finished making his tea and cleaning the kitchen, you find him fast asleep in the bed. Looking peaceful as he lays on his back, the covers up to his elbows.

Turning off the TV that was set on commentary’s on the game, you get in bed. Pulling the covers to his chest you kiss his cheek. You feel his arm bring you in, so you place your head on his chest. “Thank you amor for earlier. I really needed that.” he lowly speaks

“I’ll always be here, whether you win or lose.” and he kisses the top of your head. You know he hates the feeling of losing, but you’d always be there to comfort Juan.

/

THIS WAS SO CUTE TO WRITE AGGHHHH

thank you to the anon who requested 💞

[gsudptindr2023]

We spent the morning touring a baseball academy (Banana Academy), where youth age 13-16 are trained to make it to the show. Kids are housed there if they are from far away, local kids stay at home. They train all day (starting at 6 am) Monday- Saturday. They go home for Sundays then return again to start it all Monday. They train year round, some take classes on weekends, but most do not. Many will have verbal contract with MLB teams and can sign a contract as young as age 16. Juan Soto, Vlad Jr, Tatis Jr. all came through the Banana academy. Making it the big leagues is the priority and some do, bringing resources back to families and communities in need. But most do not. Just 5 percent of players in Dominican academies will ever make it to the major leagues. More of the MLB professional academies in the DR offer and support players to get the GED, so this is improving. But a players has to be selected to a team to get this opportunity. Kids here, if not signed, will not get that chance.

[fronzennews]

MLB Free Agency Predictions Shocking Moves!

Major League Baseball's offseason is in full swing, and the rumor mill is churning! With big names still on the market, it's anyone's guess who will land where. In this article, we dive into 11 MLB free agency predictions that could shake up the league this winter. This is a fun peek at what could happen in the MLB Free Agency Predictions – let's see if these predictions come to fruition!

MLB Free Agency Predictions: A Look Ahead

Soto to the Mets? Juan Soto, a potential MVP, is expected to sign a massive deal. Despite a successful season, it appears the Mets are the front-runners. Expect a 13-year, $600 million contract to solidify Soto as a Met. This move will definitely change the dynamic of the Mets' lineup and the entire league. Dodgers Assemble a Japanese Powerhouse? Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki together? It looks like the Dodgers are aiming to solidify their rotation with this addition. Sasaki's signing is projected to strengthen their pitching corps. The league will be interesting to watch! More Trades Than You Can Shake a Stick At The trade market is heating up too. Let’s look at a few potential moves that could drastically shift team dynamics. Crochet to Boston - The Red Sox are rumored to be acquiring Garrett Crochet, a promising young pitcher, from the White Sox. This trade should provide a significant upgrade in the pitching rotation for the Red Sox. Arenado and Helsley to the Bronx? - The Yankees are predicted to add two key pieces to their roster. Nolan Arenado and Ryan Helsley are anticipated to be the newest Yankees, bolstering their infield and bullpen, respectively. This could be a game-changer for the Yankees. Burnes to the Angels? Corbin Burnes, a strong performer this season, is predicted to sign with the Angels. The seven-year, $210 million contract is a major statement by the Angels. Fried Finds a Home with the Orioles? With Burnes potentially headed to the Angels, the Orioles are predicted to acquire Max Fried. This could make the Orioles a much more formidable team in the league. Mariners Acquire Bregman - Alex Bregman is anticipated to bolster the Mariners' lineup and address an imbalance in the AL West. The acquisition of this player from another AL West rival could prove to be significant. Alonso to Houston - Pete Alonso is likely to sign with the Astros. This will be a powerful addition to the Astros lineup. Blue Jays Score Bohm - Alec Bohm is predicted to be acquired by the Blue Jays. This acquisition is expected to add some much-needed firepower to the Blue Jays lineup. Phillies Add Snell and Santander - The Phillies are predicted to add two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Anthony Santander to their roster. This should improve their pitching staff and lineup. Tigers Land Big Names - Teoscar Hernández, Sean Manaea, and Shane Bieber are all predicted to sign with the Tigers. This is a huge offseason for the Tigers, potentially changing their standing in the league. These are just a few predictions, and the MLB offseason often brings surprises. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds. Leave a comment below with your own predictions and thoughts! Share this article with your friends too! FROZENLEAVES NEWS ``` Read the full article

[twins2994]

Dodgers Hang On To Take Game 2!

Yankees 2 Dodgers 4 W-Yamamoto (2-0) L-Rodon (1-2) SV-Vesia (1)

The Los Angeles Dodgers took Game 1 with a Freddie Freeman walk-off grand slam last night. The Dodgers looked to continue the momentum tonight in Game 2. The Dodgers struck first in the second when Tommy Edman drilled a Carlos Rodon fastball out to left for a solo homer. This put Los Angeles up a run after two frames. The Yankees came right back in the third as Juan Soto crushed a Yoshinobu Yamamoto fastball out to right for a solo shot. The Dodgers would respond in the third when Mookie Betts lined a two-out single to left. Teoscar Hernandez smoked a Carlos Rodon fastball out to right for a two-run homer to put the Dodgers back on top. Freddie Freeman stayed hot as he blasted a Rodon fastball out to right for a solo homer and the LA lead grew to three. Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw 6 1/3 solid innings and the Dodgers bullpen did the rest. Anthony Banda got out of the seventh and Michael Kopech threw up a zero in the eighth. Juan Soto led-off the ninth with a single to right and reached second on a wild pitch. Giancarlo Stanton eventually plated him with a base hit off the third base bag. Jazz Chisholm lined a single to right and Anthony Rizzo was hit in the elbow by a pitch to load up the bases. Anthony Volpe struck out and Alex Vesia entered the game. Jose Trevino flew out to left to end the game and the Dodgers took a (2-0) series lead tonight.

-Final Thoughts- Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a gem tonight on the biggest stage. He threw 6 1/3 innings and allowed a run on one hit with two walks and four strikeouts. Anthony Banda got out of the seventh, Michael Kopech had a scoreless eighth, and Blake Treinen got the first two outs of the ninth. Alex Vesia needed one pitch for the final out. Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, and Tommy Edman had two hits each. The Dodgers hit 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left four men on base. The two teams will travel to the Bronx overnight. Walker Buehler will face Clarke Schmidt in Game 3 on Monday night.

-Chris Kreibich-

[kilosch]

Journal Reflection 10/19/2024

A Slow Saturday: Nothing much happened today. I woke up around noon since there wasn’t anything urgent to do, aside from continuing my preparation for the PC 832 class. Skipping breakfast was an easy choice since I wasn’t feeling hungry, and I headed straight to Jack in the Box for lunch. I got some cheap food using my rewards, so it felt like I was eating for free—little wins, I guess.

Studying LD 15 and LD 16: The rest of my day revolved around studying Learning Domain 15 (Laws of Arrest) and Learning Domain 16 (Search and Seizure). As I worked through the material, I started to feel a little more confident. But at the same time, the fear of failure lingers in the back of my mind. It’s that nagging anxiety—what if I don’t pass? What if all this effort isn’t enough? The pressure is real, and it’s been gnawing at me.

Exploring Other People's PC 832 Experiences: I tried easing my nerves by researching online about other people's experiences with PC 832. I spent a good chunk of time on Reddit, scrolling through threads and reading stories to see how others handled the course. It was a repetitive cycle of reading, studying, and researching—trying to absorb as much information as possible from the study guide and beyond.

Mindset Shift from EMT to Law Enforcement: While studying, I found myself mentally transitioning from my EMT mindset to that of a law enforcement officer. It’s a strange shift—going from being a "healthcare expert" to a beginner in law enforcement. I’m starting to experience the early stress that comes with learning penal codes and legal jargon. It’s a completely different world, and it’s both exciting and overwhelming at the same time.

Baseball Break – ALCS Victory for Yankees: During a break from studying, I tuned in to the 8th inning of the ALCS—Yankees vs. Guardians. It was 2-2 until Juan Soto smashed a home run, clinching the series and sending the Yankees to the World Series. It was exciting to see the Yankees advance, and now I’m hoping the Dodgers can win Game 6 tomorrow and join them. A Dodgers vs. Yankees World Series would be the ultimate showdown—a true baseball rivalry.

Mental Health Check: Surprisingly, my mental health was okay today. I didn’t feel any depression, which was a relief. Maybe staying busy and distracting myself with studying is the key. It kept my mind occupied, and I didn’t have the space to overthink or let the negative thoughts creep in.

Tomorrow’s Plans: I plan to continue studying tomorrow and go over everything again to make sure I’m fully prepared for PC 832. I want to walk into that class feeling as ready as I can be. The stakes are high, and I can’t afford to mess this up. It’s all part of the journey to the police academy, and I need to give it my all.

Here’s to staying focused and hoping for a Dodgers win tomorrow.

[lesterplatt]

AUTHENTICALLY YOU from Cesar Velasco on Vimeo.

About a year ago, I drove through an ice storm from Washington DC back to Dallas in order to make Authentically You. It was an extremely difficult time for me—but because this project was so close to my heart, it got me through. Like Grandes Momentos, this piece is a personal testament to the places and people that made me who I am. Using a docu-style commercial approach, Authentically You conveys a sense of personal style and story, merging both my background in the Dallas & Denton Music scene with my craft in filmmaking. It was a challenging and cathartic revelation both on set and its final form as to who I was, who I am and who I yearn to be.

Thank you to everyone involved in this–Every single cast member and location in this piece has a strong attachment both to a very unique scene of artists and to myself. Thank you to the dedicated crew who understood the intricacies of my vision and supported me throughout it all.

Finally, I want to give a huge shout out to every single musician in Denton and Dallas and beyond. For giving me a home when I needed it the most, for being my friends when no one else would, and for inviting me in without hesitation. To the relentlessness of those living in the margins by their own means, to every artists that says “fuck you” to the status quo and dreams bigger than most people dare. To those that stay true to who they are and live with continual authenticity and intention.

Thank you for inspiring me, thank you for giving me a place. This one is for my band, my friends, and finding home in Denton, Texas.

Cast & Crew:

Production Company: HiRai Creative Writer / Director / Camera Operator: Cesar Velasco @lilceeezzz Executive Producer: Ryan Blitzer @ryanblitzer Director of Photography: Matt Sill @mattsill Producer: Caitlyn Birdsong @caitlynbirdsong Producer: Madeleine Beck @madeleine_leighh Associate Producer: Blaine Stricklin @blainedstricklin Creative Producer: Lyndsay Knecht @lynds.tk 1st Assistant Director: Gleason Barber @gleasongrills

Steadicam: KC Kennicutt @kc_kentuckyjokes 1st Assistant Camera: Kyle Novak @kylenovakvisuals 2nd Assistant Camera: Brennan Freeze @brennan.freeze Digital Imaging Technician: David Gleason @david.gleason

Gaffer: Juan Romero @gafferjuan Best Boy Electric: Mark Herrmann   Electric: Mike Marquett @mikeymarq Electric: Roy John Bulls @royjohnbulls Key Grip: Nathan Telck @fivedogfilms Best Boy Grip: Matt Letson    Grip: Ryan Serr @rserr18 Grip: Blaine Stricklin @blainedstricklin

Production Designer: Chad Yaro @cyaro41 Leadman: Oscar Quevedo @o_quevedo Set Dresser: Magan Knuckles @glassgrip Set Dresser: Megan Koym @meggykrueger

Prod. Sound Mixer: Ferris Shaheen @gfs.sound Boom Operator: Jerry Maynard @soundmayne 

Hair & Makeup: Elinia Eads @elinia.eads

PA: David Soto @littlebigtime007 PA: Franco Mililotto @james_franco07 PA: Marvin Lanier @lanier.marvin PA: Max Soto

Editor: Jackson McMartin @postflaxenjackson Editor: Ben Montez @usernamebenistaken Color: Alice Abrams @alice.filmcolor Music and Sound Company: Sound Industries @sound_industries Composers: Nick Green and Nick Tuttle Sound Design: Reinhard Denke @reinhard_denke Sound Mix: Andrew Hulett @drewsky.hulett Drum Score: Cesar Velasco + Billie Grey Heck @lilceeezzz @billiegreyheck Drum Performance: Billie Grey Heck @billiegreyheck

Camera: MPS @mpsfilm G&E: MPS @mpsfilm Production Supplies: TX Supply Co @txsupplyrentals

Camera: Arri Alexa Mini LF @arri Lenses: Leica-R Primes @leica_camera

Drummer: Billie Grey Vracin @billiegreyheck Bandmate: Katie Reese @katie_reese Bandmate: Danny Tantrum @danny.tantrum House Venue: KiKi’s House Rehearsal Space: Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios @rgrsdentontx Van: Ben Scott @grave_combo Special Thanks to:  Ben Scott @grave_combo Chad Witherspoon @buffaloballet Lauren Belmore // Patrick Michot //  Rachel Weaver // Dahlia Knowles // @dhaliaqk Michale Briggs // @cereboso Rob // @hummusandbeanchips Ricky & many more

[printondemnd]

Juan Soto Juan Gone New York Shirt

Introducing the Juan Soto Juan Gone New York Shirt and T-Shirt collection - a must-have for all baseball enthusiasts and fans of the legendary player, Juan Soto. These stylish and comfortable shirts are designed to showcase your love for both the sport and the iconic player.

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Don't miss out on this opportunity to own an exclusive piece of memorabilia - get your hands on the Juan Soto Juan Gone New York Shirt or T-Shirt today! Show off your love for baseball and celebrate one of its most talented players in style.

[bongaboi]

Washington Nationals: 2019 World Series Champions

HOUSTON -- Down Howie Kendrick reached and off it went. Carrying far, slicing right, pinging the yellow-coated steel screen of the foul pole in right field. The Washington Nationals were trailing until they weren’t. They were, true to form, down but not done.

The late-May misfits and National League Wild Card Game winners roundly expected to be a quick October exit had, with one swing of the bat from the 36-year-old Kendrick, taken the lead they would not relinquish in a 6-2 victory in Game 7 of the World Series against the Astros on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park. They claimed their franchise’s first crown and completed a clean sweep for the road clubs in a first-of-its-kind Fall Classic.

“I feel like everybody was rooting for [Houston] and we were kind of the underdog in this Series,” Kendrick said. “But it goes to show that you can’t ever count anybody out.”

Stephen Strasburg, who was the winning pitcher in Game 2 and Game 6 while posting a 2.51 ERA, was named the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet.

From 19 wins on May 23 to ’19 champs on Oct. 30. That’s the story of a Nationals team that played five elimination games, trailed in all of them and won all of them.

They survived and thrived with “Los Viejos” (“The Old Ones”) like Kendrick and an unmistakable affinity for the unexpected ... and for "Baby Shark." They came back to break the heart of the Brewers in the late innings of the NL Wild Card Game. They dispatched the mighty 106-win Dodgers in the NL Division Series behind Kendrick’s Game 5-changing grand slam. They silenced the sizzling Cardinals in an NL Championship Series sweep. And after squandering a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven Fall Classic and returning to Minute Maid Park on the brink of elimination, they summoned the stamina for one last exclamation-earning effort.

“I believe in these guys,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “They believe in each other. And the biggest thing for us is, never quit. We know that. We were 19-31. We didn’t quit then. We weren’t gonna quit now.”

History was made here on many fronts.

Washington, D.C., has its first World Series championship since the 1924 Senators. Kendrick joined the Pirates’ Hal Smith ('60) as the only players to hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning or later while their team was trailing in a World Series winner-take-all game. Kendrick is also the fourth-oldest player to go deep in a Game 7. The Nats became the first team to win the Series with four road victories.

“All the road teams winning,” said Astros starter Zack Greinke, “doesn’t seem normal.”

So why would the anticipated Game 7 pitchers' duel be normal?

Max Scherzer, making his cortisone-aided comeback from the debilitating neck injury that had made him a no-go for Sunday night's Game 5, didn’t have his typical movement or mastery. He induced just 11 swinging strikes among his 103 pitches in five innings. A viewer only able to tune in every 20 minutes or so would be forgiven for thinking that the Astros had somehow been given permission to begin every inning with two aboard.

And yet, through four innings, the eight baserunners against Scherzer had resulted in just a single run -- Yuli Gurriel's laser beam to the Crawford Boxes for a homer that put the Astros up, 1-0, in the second.

“We put a lot of heat on him,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said of Scherzer. “We made him work. He had almost 20 pitches an inning. We had guys on base. We hit the ball hard. We didn't chase that much. There was a lot of good that we -- almost similar to how we were in Game 1 against him where we just made him earn every out that he got.”

Despite the traffic, despite the tightropes Scherzer kept stringing up for himself, Martinez abstained from having anybody warming in his bullpen. It was Max effort all the way.

“We stay in to fight,” Scherzer said. “That was our motto. We stay in and fight. That’s what I did.”

Greinke, meanwhile, put on a pitching clinic with his awesome arsenal of offspeed stuff. The Nats’ swings included so many “excuse me’s” you would think they were walking through a crowd. The weak contact was such that Greinke, an athletic and gifted defender, had four assists in the first four innings alone.

Slight separation, which doubles as seismic separation on a stage like this, arrived in the fifth, when the Astros finally got a rip with runners in scoring position. It came with -- again -- two aboard and two outs, as Carlos Correa smacked a one-hopper down the third-base line. Anthony Rendon, one of MLB’s most outstanding occupants of the hot corner, dived for the ball, but it kicked off the edge of his outstretched glove and into foul territory, allowing Gurriel to score from second on the single.

By then, Martinez had Patrick Corbin warming, and he went on to replace Scherzer, whose effort was worthy of applause no matter the end result, in what turned out to be a scoreless sixth.

Greinke, on the other hand, lasted into the seventh. But it proved a step too far. His third trip through the lineup hit a stumble when Rendon, the Houston native coming off a five-RBI effort in Game 6 on Tuesday night, smacked a solo shot to left to get the Nats on the board, 2-1. Then Greinke issued a walk to Juan Soto, and his night was done.

Though Gerrit Cole had warmed earlier, Hinch, in that moment, went to his most trusted relief weapon, Will Harris.

“Kendrick and [Asdrúbal] Cabrera was where I had really focused on Will Harris at that point,” Hinch said. “Will has been tremendous for us. I knew I had [Roberto] Osuna, I knew I had Gerrit if need be. Will coming in to spin the breaking ball [is what I wanted].”

Harris got ahead of Kendrick with a first-pitch strike. But his second offering was a 90.6 mph cutter down and away, and Kendrick got bat to ball for the new signature swat of his club’s epic October run and an instantly iconic MLB moment.

“This guy [Harris] punched out Howie at home, screamed and stared in our dugout, and Howie never forgot that,” Nats catcher Kurt Suzuki said. “I said, ‘Boys, Howie remembers this, just watch.’ And then he ends up going oppo right there. You couldn’t have scripted it any better.”

As Corbin kept delivering big outs in relief, the Nats kept adding insurance. They got a run in the eighth when Adam Eaton walked, swiped second and scored on Soto’s single off Osuna. They got two in the ninth when they loaded the bases and Eaton truly broke the game open with a ground-ball single up the middle that was booted by center fielder Jake Marisnick.

And Daniel Hudson's 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth, punctuated by a swinging strikeout of Michael Brantley, completed the capital thrill.

In five short months, the Nationals upended the baseball universe. At the start of the season, they had lost their franchise face, Bryce Harper, to free agency, and they were well south of .500 at a point when evaluations intensify.

But they bonded and bettered and broke through, hellbent on ending their past postseason pitfalls. The result was as original and inspiring an October run as the game could conjure. And an ecstatic ending deep in the heart of Texas.

“We stuck together,” Rendon said. “We had nothing else to lose. We were facing elimination games when people never thought we should’ve been there in the first place, and we just kept on fighting, and we finished on top.”

Anthony Castrovince has been a reporter for MLB.com since 2004. Read his columns and follow him on Twitter at @Castrovince.

[weekegg2-blog]

Choose Your Own Adventure, Bryce Harper edition

Remember when you were a kid and loved reading those "Choose Your Own Adventure" stories? Well, baseball fans, we have a real treat for you -- a Bryce Harper Choose Your Own Adventure story. Here's how it works:

Start reading below. As you'll see in the very first line, you are the protagonist. Control the narrative by channeling your inner Bryce.

Whenever you see a fork in the road, make a choice and click on it.

When you reach the end (i.e. no more choices), live happily ever after with your decision. Or don't -- part of the fun of the CYOA genre is going back and exploring all the other endings.

You're Bryce Harper.

You have perfect hair. You have a powerful arm and an even more powerful bat. You have one Most Valuable Player award already in your possession, and you wouldn't mind another. But what you're really after is a ring.

There has been speculation about Atlanta pursuing Harper. It makes sense, but it's just not how the organization does business.

Bryce? Manny? Both? ... Or steer clear. We examine how every team in baseball should approach a historic pair of free agents.

From the free agents set to cash in to the big-name stars sure to come up in trade rumors all winter long, keep up with all of the latest action.

2 Related

It's the one thing that has managed to elude you during your seven years in the nation's capital. Well, that and a playoff series win. And a manager that lasts more than two seasons. And a passionate fan base that cares about baseball -- like, really cares. Sure, you were flattered when the Nationals drafted you with the first overall pick back in 2010. But Washington wasn't exactly a sexy franchise, and you love sexy franchises. Always have.

You'd be lying if you said you hadn't allowed yourself to envision playing in a different uniform next season, but in your mind, you kept coming back to the Nats. After all, you made your big league debut with them. You've spent your entire adult life wearing red and white. The fans in D.C. adore you, and despite the team's massively disappointing performance this season, the future is pretty darned bright -- especially if you stick around.

But now you're no longer under contract. A few days after the World Series ended, you officially became a non-member of the Nats. You are a free agent. Finally.

So where will you sign?

Click below to:

Safety squeeze | Swing away

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

YOU'RE (STILL) A NAT!

It was a weird season in D.C. Except for you, almost every key player on the team was hurt at one point or another. Your new manager, Davey Martinez, brought real live camels into spring training to help put the Nationals over the playoff hump (get it?), but it didn't work. You guys didn't win a playoff series, or even make the playoffs. Your Nats, expected to contend for a World Series title with largely the same squad that averaged 96 wins the previous two years, were far and away the biggest disappointment in baseball. Still, the window remains wide open in Washington.

Staff ace Max Scherzer has three more years left on his contract, and Stephen Strasburg has five more. Shortstop Trea Turner, a fellow 25-year-old who's one of your best buddies, should be around for at least a few more seasons. Rookie Juan Soto is a beast, and an outfield that features him, top prospect Victor Robles and you does have a nice ring to it.

Speaking of rings, the fact that you haven't been able to deliver one to the District yet bothers you. And while that matters, it doesn't matter quite as much as this: The Nationals are the only team you've ever known. You have a strong relationship with GM Mike Rizzo, who has been there since day one, a steadying presence as the team has churned through manager after manager. You've spent the past seven years patrolling the outfield at Nationals Park and you know the contours of the right-field corner almost as well as you know your high school sweetheart (who, by the way, you married while you were a member of the Nationals). There's even a field named after you in nearby Takoma Park, a symbol of just how much you've meant to the city.

"This is my second home," you said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in May. A couple of months later, in the midst of a horrible first-half slump, you electrified the hometown fans when you staged an epic comeback to win the Home Run Derby in your own park. You had it all working that night. The stars-and-stripes arm sleeve. The D.C. flag bandanna. The unwavering and full-throated support of a sellout crowd filled with fans from in and around the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. It was a crazy night, one that reminded Washingtonians just how much you mean to them. Perhaps more important, it was a reminder of how much the city means to you.

All that said, baseball is a business. You have the potential to sign a record-setting contract. You are represented by superagent Scott Boras. In other words, you're not about to hand out a hometown discount. That's why you reportedly said thanks but no thanks to the 10-year, $300 million deal Washington reportedly offered you at the end of September. In fact, you might be headed for a hometown markup.

True, someone might be willing to pay a little more for your services depending on positional need and/or payroll flexibility. But the Nationals are the only club with any emotional equity invested in you, and they've got lots of it. Much like parents who think their child is the greatest, Washington's opinion of you -- the face of the franchise -- is likely to be inflated relative to other teams. If you don't believe it, just check out that bloated $161 million deal Chris Davis received from the Orioles a few years back. And that was in a market where, by the looks of things, there weren't a whole lot of teams courting him. For you, things should be different. Much different.

By signing with the Nats, it seems you can have it all. The comfort level. The chance to win. And, of course, the money. Boras has probably already told you that you might have to be OK with deferring some of that dough, just as Scherzer and Strasburg (he reps them too) did in their contracts. The Nats already have $117 million committed toward next season, and that's without addressing needs at catcher, first base, second base and on the mound.

But assuming you don't mind a little delayed financial gratification, there's no place like home.

Start over »

Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire

YOU'RE LEAVING THE NATS!

You've had it with the Nationals. It's not that you didn't have a nice run in the District -- there were plenty of good times. It's just that, well, seven years is a long time.

In fact, it's more than a quarter of your life. You were a kid when they drafted you, and now you're a man. It's high time to spread your wings and see what life is like outside the cocoon.

Click below to:

Stay in the (comfort) zone | Go oppo

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

YOU'RE HEADING TO A NEW NL TEAM!

Much like the family that sells its house only to move into another house right around the corner (it's all about the school district, baby), you're not ready to venture too far afield.

As such, you've ruled out a move to the American League and are focused only on Senior Circuit suitors.

Click below to:

Go for the glitz | Go for the gang | Go for the green

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

YOU'RE A DODGER!

La-La Land, here you come. The Dodgers don't wear pinstripes, but it's pretty much your dream scenario. Because you're all about the sexy franchises. Always have been.

A couple of years ago, you walked into the clubhouse on the first day of spring training wearing a Dallas Cowboys cap, a gutsy move for a guy who's the face of a franchise headquartered in Redskins country. But you didn't care. After all, the Cowboys are America's Team.

When LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in July, you wore an orange Lakers cap to the ballpark the very next day. Growing up in Vegas, the Lake Show was about the closest thing you had to a local NBA squad. Of course, it didn't hurt that L.A. is where Magic and Kareem and Worthy played, where Shaq and Kobe did their thing, where "Showtime" was born.

Of course, L.A. is also home to the Dodgers, one of the most storied franchises in all of pro sports. They're also one of the richest: Every season from 2013 through 2017, Los Angeles -- bankrolled by Magic Johnson and Guggenheim Partners -- had the highest payroll in the majors. That includes 2015, when the Dodgers' $301 million payroll was nearly $80 million more than the next-closest club. They scaled things back a bit last season, checking in with the league's third-highest number ($196 million), but that doesn't alarm you. In fact, it intrigues you, because odds are the increased thriftiness had everything to do with getting under the luxury tax threshold so the team could spend freely this offseason -- on you.

You're flattered the Dodgers put in a waiver claim on you back in August. It showed they wanted you. After all, most teams would have been scared off by having to pay a portion of the $21.6 million you were earning last season. That same gesture also proves that despite a crowded outfield picture, they'd have no problem making room for you. Maybe they trade Yasiel Puig to open up right field. Maybe they sell high-ish on Matt Kemp. Maybe both. You don't really care. Because regardless of whom the Dodgers unload, they'll still be loaded.

The squad that's won the NL West in each of the past six seasons still has Justin Turner. It still has Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager. It still has closer Kenley Jansen and ace Clayton Kershaw. Hell, if you're lucky, L.A. might even be able to re-sign Manny Machado so you can reunite with your old roomie from back when you were both teenagers on Team USA. Not that you need the pot to be any sweeter.

Besides the deep pockets and the deep roster, the Dodgers have one thing money can't buy: location, location, location. (Technically that's three things, but you get the point.) Chavez Ravine is practically around the corner from your old stomping ground in Las Vegas, meaning you'll get to see your pops that much more. And your homies. And your beloved Golden Knights. And on days when the MLB and NHL calendars don't align for you, the Lakers aren't a bad Plan B. Heck, there's a sporting chance you can even roll with Magic and hang in the owner's box.

While you're at Staples Center, you can chat with LeBron James, who, like yourself, seems to have a knack for the whole athlete/actor thing. It's just one more reason he took his talents to Tinseltown.

And why you just did the same.

Start over »

Brad Mills/USA Today Sports

YOU'RE A CUB!

Last year in D.C., while the Cubs were in town, you posed for a pic. Left to right, it was your old pal Kris Bryant, his wife Jessica, your wife Kayla, and of course you. Then you posted it on Instagram, along with a caption that read, "Just two Vegas boys living our dream with the ones we love! This is what it's all about. What a time to be alive." No big deal, really. Except for the hashtag you decided to drop: #Back2BackOneDay.

The whole superfriends model of roster construction hasn't hit MLB yet, not like in the NBA, where all the best players would rather play with one another than against (see: Warriors, Golden State). But you don't mind starting a trend -- you've always been good at that.

You and KB (if he doesn't get traded), Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber. A bunch of fun-loving 20-somethings, all under one roof. You'll be the National League version of the Houston Astros.

On the one hand, it doesn't seem the Cubs could possibly give you the gobs of green you're looking for. Not with almost $165 million in payroll already committed for next season. Not with Jason Heyward's fat contract on the books for another five seasons. Not if they want to keep superstars like Bryant and Rizzo in the Windy City long-term.

Still, when it comes to spending, the Cubs might not yet be in the same league as the Yankees and Dodgers, but ever since the Ricketts family took ownership almost a decade ago, it sure has seemed like they're headed in that direction. With a wildly popular team and a rabid fan base and a new TV deal on the horizon, the money seems to be there.

The only question is: Where exactly will you play? With Heyward in right field, Albert Almora in center and Schwarber in left -- not to mention Ian Happ backing up all three spots -- there isn't a whole lot of room in Wrigleyville for you. And it's not like you can DH, either. But that's not your problem. When you land in Chicago, GM Theo Epstein will find a way to create space for you. And once he does, Joe Maddon will find a spot for you in the lineup.

With any luck, you'll be hitting right behind your old homeboy Bryant. Back-to-back.

Start over »

Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire

YOU'RE A PHILLIE!

This one's all about the Benjamins.

Sure, the long-range forecast is sunny. Led by Rhys Hoskins and Aaron Nola, the Phillies have a solid core of young talent that has made the team playoff-relevant, and well ahead of schedule. And you like a W just as much as the next guy. That said, Philadelphia is even farther away from your hometown of Las Vegas than D.C. is. Beyond that, it's a town that, when it comes to sports teams, is decidedly unsexy, a city known for its gritty, blue-collar edge. It's the kind of place a guy like Mike Trout -- a low-profile, no-nonsense kind of dude who was born and raised in nearby Millville, New Jersey -- belongs. You? Not so much.

Remember that slump you went through in the first half of last season? If and when that happens in the City of Brotherly Love, you'll get pummeled by the unforgiving fans there. Kind of like how the fans in NYC abused Giancarlo Stanton after he got off to a rough start.

But that's OK. Because for you, the move to Philly is a bottom-line move. It's a move that feeds your ego. Although you've never come out and said it, you love the idea of one-upping Stanton and setting a record for the richest contract ever. And the Phillies are the team that gives you the best chance to do that.

Aside from Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana, the Phils don't have any high-priced, long-term contracts. They have only $69 million committed to next season's payroll. Of all the clubs on your radar, they have by far the most financial flexibility, enough that they could probably sign you and Manny and still have some spending money left over. In other words, you can pretty much name your price, to the extent that GM Matt Klentak is interested in procuring your services. And why wouldn't he be?

Nick Williams is fine in right field, but he's not you. Even if Klentak wants to hold on to Williams, the Phils could slide him over to left and move Hoskins back to first once Santana's contract expires.

You don't really care about that. All you care about is the Benjamins. And the city where Benjamin Franklin made his name is where you'll make your fortune.

That's why you chose Philly.

Start over »

Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images

YOU'RE A YANKEE!

You've decided to lend the Junior Circuit your services. Although the Angels make a little bit of sense on account of the whole L.A. thing, really there's only one option in your mind.

You grew up worshipping the Yankees because your dad worshipped them. And because, well, they're the Yankees. Mickey Mantle was your idol. You loved him so much, your Twitter handle, @Bharper3407, is a combination of his number and your number. As for your number, you're aware of the conspiracy theory. The one that says the reason you chose to wear 34 in Washington is that you knew if you ever ended up wearing pinstripes, 7 wouldn't be an option. So you chose a number whose digits add up to seven, knowing full well you could take 34 with you to the Bronx should the situation present itself.

If you're being technical about it, following in the Mick's footsteps means playing center field. But you're not really a center fielder. Yes, that's where you spent most of your time as a rookie, but that was mostly because the Nationals already had Jayson Werth entrenched in right.

Ultimately, though, Werth moved to the opposite corner and bequeathed right field to you. You like playing there. It allows you to show off that ridiculous hose of yours in a way the other outfield spots don't, what with those long throws to third base. Even when you don't get the chance to let it rip because the runner knows better than to try to go first to third on you, which happens all the time, it makes you feel mighty and respected.

Whether or not you care to admit it, you weren't your usual defensive self this year. You were a little less aggressive, especially in the vicinity of the warning track, as if you were afraid of getting dinged up in your walk year. Maybe it was a conscious choice, maybe not. You also seemed a little distracted out there from time to time, a little less engaged than usual. Maybe that was the walk year talking too. Or maybe that first-half slump got in your head and made it hard for you to leave your ABs in the dugout.

Regardless of what went down on D last season, you're a good right fielder and you know it. Maybe not as good as some folks think, but certainly good enough to play right field for the New York Yankees. Problem is, so is Aaron Judge.

Could Judge slide over to center to make room for you? Probably. After all, he's a pretty sick athlete who's remarkably coordinated for his size. But that size -- 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds -- sounds less like a center fielder and more like just a plain old center. As in a basketball center. Or a football center. Take your pick.

So maybe Judge pulls a Jayson Werth and moves over to left field for you, where there's a hole created by the redeployment of Brett Gardner, whose $12.5 million team option was declined by the club and who instead will earn $7.5 million next season, which sounds a little less like starting outfielder money. Alternatively ... the Yanks could leave Judge in right and put you in center.

Oh, don't act like that doesn't intrigue you. It intrigues everyone who watched you start 50-something games in center field for the Nationals last season. Sure, Washington was struggling to score early on and it was a creative way to get three strong bats (yours, Juan Soto's and Adam Eaton's) into the lineup at the same time. That said, the move was eerily reminiscent of when Orioles slugger Davis -- a first baseman by trade and a fellow Boras client -- suddenly started playing a bunch of right field during his contract year.

And let's not forget about first base. You've never played the position before, but that didn't stop you from taking grounders there in early July, before a game against ... the Yankees. Coincidence? Maybe. But if you're looking to plant a seed in the collective mind of a front office whose team doesn't necessarily have a long-term solution at first base (Greg Bird? Luke Voit?), there are far worse ways.

Speaking of planting seeds: In June, a couple of weeks before your impromptu first-base showcase, you showed up to Nats Park clean-shaven for the first time in forever. That trademark beard of yours? Gone. Then you went out and took early batting practice prior to the series opener ... against the Yankees ... who don't allow facial hair.

If someone who was watching you didn't know any better, they might think you'd already made your choice then.

Start over »

So what will actually happen? Maybe Harper ends up signing with a dark horse like the Giants or Rangers or Padres. Maybe he decides to play in Japan. Maybe he pulls a Colby Rasmus and decides to walk away from baseball altogether. Nobody knows for sure, but it'll certainly be fun sitting by the hot stove this winter and seeing which adventure Bryce Harper chooses.

Source: http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24674023/choose-your-own-adventure-bryce-harper-edition

[dinosaurwithablog]

For the second day in a row, Yankees pitchers have lost the game for the team. Aaron Boone's choices were, as always, horrible. After being down by 5 runs, the Yankees offense worked hard and performed brilliantly and tied up the game with some beautiful hitting and base running. Unfortunately, in the 7th inning, pitching gave up 5 runs, and in the 9th, they gave up 2 more. The bullpen completely destroyed the morale of the team, yet again. It's hard to do well when you have a phenomenal performance to tie the game, and then the pitchers start giving away runs like Oprah giving prizes. You get a run. You get a run. You get a run.... bad pitching and bad decisions by Boone have lost sooooooo many games in the past several years. We need new pitchers and a new manager. It's demoralizing to watch what happens. I can't even imagine how it feels to be on a team that is doing everything right and still loses because they have pitchers who don't do well. It's a travesty. We're gonna lose Juan Soto if we don't fix the bullpen because he wants to win games and the World Series. His friendship and amazing success with Aaron Judge might not be enough to keep him with the Yankees. I hope that I'm wrong about that. I want Soto to stay with my team and be a lifelong Yankee. Hopefully, he feels the same way, but I digress. WE NEED PITCHERS AND A NEW MANAGER, DESPERATELY 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 I love my team, and I never give up hope so..... Let's go Yankees!!!!!

[moviejersey]

[ad_1] The potential for a Juan Soto commerce has dominated MLB headlines for the previous week, however the Nationals haven’t been impressed with the presents they’ve seen to date, per the Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli. Discovering an acceptable commerce package deal for a well-decorated 23-year-old celebrity is sophisticated sufficient, however the Nationals’ possession state of affairs provides one other confounding wrinkle.With the present house owners, the Lerner household, trying more and more more likely to promote the membership, the needs of any new potential proprietor should be thought-about in any Soto deal. In keeping with Jon Heyman of the New York Put up, some potential consumers would favor to have Soto on the roster. On condition that Soto is by far the Nats’ greatest baseball asset, it’s not shocking that a new possession group would need him within the group. It’s exhausting to think about that the membership can be extra engaging to potential consumers with out Soto on the roster. There may be the opportunity of a brand new possession group preferring a clear slate whereas letting the Lerners take the general public relations hit that may include dealing the workforce’s hottest star. Nonetheless, regardless of all of the commerce hubbub, it might in no way be surprising to see Soto nonetheless on the payroll when the Lerners discover a purchaser. A brand new proprietor would nonetheless be capable of commerce Soto with two full years of workforce management remaining, even when a sale doesn’t occur till the offseason.As long as the opportunity of a deal stays viable, groups will proceed to test in with Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo. The Yankees are Mets are two of the foremost contenders for Soto. The Yankees are the extra doubtless vacation spot, nevertheless, given the Nats’ comprehensible reticence to deal Soto to a division contender, notes Andy Martino of sny.television. The Nationals already should stay with former stars Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer in the identical division. Nationals followers would definitely not be thrilled to face off with Harper and Soto throughout the division for the following decade. The Mets can’t be crossed off the listing, however they need to be counted as long-shots for now. (function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=125075807517358"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); (document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); [ad_2] Source link

[dawnstaley]

I don't know what the Nats are paying Juan Soto but they should just go ahead and like double it. ⚾❤

exactly why i don’t think harper is going to stay, but honestly as long as soto is around we don’t need him to. soto is putting up better numbers than harp did his rookie season and i am here for it

[thesinglesjukebox]

POST MALONE X SWAE LEE - SUNFLOWER

[5.56]

With great Swae Lee comes great Post Malone?

Joshua Copperman: First off, can we just acknowledge how good Into The Spider-Verse looks? Not just in the literal sense, but in the way it looks to incorporate Phil Lord and Chris Miller's meta tendencies into a genuinely compelling story. I hope it doesn't turn out like Post Malone's music, where the lushness gives otherwise banal sentiments the illusion of grandeur. An ideal soundtrack for Spider-Verse should be as colorful as the movie looks, and even the lyric video deserves a better, more relevant soundtrack. Considering what's happened to the live-action Peter Parker, even "Ashes" would be more appropriate. But that lyric video is effective, doing its best to lend weight to an unremarkable, weirdly arrogant song ("you'd be left in the dust unless I stuck by you"). The movie's likely going to be great on the visuals alone, but concerning the soundtrack, for now I don't feel so good. [5]

Juan F. Carruyo: It's a soundtrack song, so it's appropriately cinematic. Cavernous boom-boom clap drums follow deep synth bass tones and an air of menace. Though it's Post Malone who's ostensibly bringing them sweet sweet monetized clicks; in practice, his gravely voice emoting corny lyrics about being a sunflower is just very off-putting. So, it's a minute and a half of pleasing melodies sang by Swae Lee before it crumbles down. [5]

John Seroff: Live long enough and you'll hear all the radio stars of your youth gently rinsed and recycled into audio pablum echoing down the grocery store aisles. For a generation that may not have longevity as an option, this Post/Swae collabo helpfully offers prewashed pop, elevator-friendly out of the wrapper. [5]

Iris Xie: Both Post Malone and Swae Lee's delivery takes sweet lyrics and makes them sound labored and tired. What gives? I understand they're trying to do a floaty, sweet summer vibe, but I just get the feeling of two men who are trying to woo another girl for the hundredth time, without really self-reflecting on what they are doing. It makes such nice platitudes sound generic, and leaves me cold. [1]

Jonathan Bradley: I'm reminded of a certain mode of 1990s alternative rock, a style that had expanded its stylistic outlook so far beyond the rudiments of guitar music that its connection to generic tradition was its mulish white masculinity rather than its sound. "Sunflower" made me think of the spacey anomie of Filter's "Take a Picture," but it fits into the late-rock pluralism of everything from Crazy Town to OPM to 311 to Primitive Radio Gods. "You mightn't like Post Malone," an old friend told me when we were catching up for the first time in a few years and comparing notes on contemporary sounds, "but you remember his choruses." Then he hummed a couple hooks from Beerbongs & Bentleys, an album I've heard once, and I realized how right he was. [6]

Julian Axelrod: I've finally figured it out: If we want to make Post Malone tolerable, we just need to slowly inch him as far away from rap as possible. This is the most engaging and sincere Post has sounded in a while, and it's on a song that's closer to Drive-era synth pop than rap. Swae Lee's presence helps a lot; he's a similarly feelings-first wailer who twists every bar into a hook, and he's innately charming enough to sell "She wanna ride me like a cruise" as a Hallmark sentiment. But their combined charisma is a bright new coat of paint on the conflicted devotion that pervades most love songs in rap today. It's an asshole aria, it's the dirtbag blues, it's "Islands in the Stream" for guys who sell whippits at house parties. And it's way better than the phrase "Post Malone and Swae Lee present a song from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has any right to be. [7]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: Post Malone and Swae Lee use this Spider-Man soundtrack opportunity to take on the superhero role in a relationship. Is this codependency or men just being snotty? Either way, things seem awry, so the two deliver sweet melodies to keep things at bay. In the moment this is soothing, if fleeting; keep it on repeat and you'll be convinced to stay. [6]

Alfred Soto: Swae's bray (brae?) increases in volume as his swinish admissions get more pronounced ("Or you'll be left in the dust, unless I stuck by ya"), while Post Malone puts his gravel to empathetic use. They don't cancel each out so much as act as amiable mirrors -- they could easily have switched places and no one would've noticed. [6]

Taylor Alatorre: You can always count on the lead single from a Spider-Man movie soundtrack to provide a quick-and-dirty snapshot of the musical landscape. In 2002 we got post-9/11 post-grunge; in 2004 it was post-Unplugged Dashboard; in 2007, post-Coldplay melodrama; and in 2014 it was an unholy amalgam of misapplied talent and wasted money, just like the film it was made for. Now it's 2018 and Sony/Columbia have enlisted Post Malone and Swae Lee, two of-the-moment sing-rappers with whom Miles Morales would undoubtedly be familiar. The track is clearly inspired by emo rap, but in Dashboard terms, it's more "Hands Down" than "Screaming Infidelities"; the hazy atmosphere and ornamental guitar plucking are no much for the earnestly romantic, if lyrically ambivalent chorus. It's for this reason that Post Malone, despite his "Rockstar" pedigree, is outshone almost completely by Swae Lee, whose melodic tendencies are more suited for earnest romance. Aware of his own limitations, Swae uses his singing voice with strategic aplomb, strictly regimenting his phrases so they pierce like beacons through the fog. It helps that he still sounds much younger than his 24 years, which results in the typical rap lyric "she wanna ride me like a cruise" being transformed into a singular projection of both innocence and precocity. This frank mention of sex makes his decision to self-censor by saying "bad bad" even less explicable, and thus more charming. More than anything else, "Sunflower" sounds like adolescence, an achievement that largely exonerates its underdeveloped view of women on grounds of verisimilitude. Teenage boys are perpetually unsure of themselves and act tough or spiteful in order to mask their vulnerabilities: nothing new under the sun. What songs like "Sunflower" offer them is a recognition of shared suffering and a chance to embrace their vulnerabilities -- a permission slip to feel unguarded feelings for a few minutes. As long as there are boys and girls in America having sad times together, there will be a need for these songs. [9]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

[twins2994]

Washington Nationals-Houston Astros Series Preview

10.22.19- Max Scherzer RHP (11-7) 2.92 ERA Vs. Gerrit Cole RHP (20-5) 2.50 ERA

10.23.19-Stephen Strasburg RHP (18-6) 3.32 ERA Vs. Justin Verlander RHP (21-6) 2.58 ERA

10.25.19-Zack Greinke RHP (18-5) 2.93 ERA Vs. Patrick Corbin LHP (14-7) 3.25 ERA

10.26.19-Brad Peacock RHP (7-6) 4.12 ERA Vs. Anibal Sanchez RHP (11-8) 3.85 ERA

10.27.19-

10.29.19-

10.30.19-

The Nationals At A Glance- The Washington Nationals had a rough start to the 2019 season. They were (19-31) 50 games into the season, but turned it around. The Nats finished the first half (28-11) and went (46-27) in the second half of the season. The Nationals won the National League Wild-Card Game against the Brewers and shocked the Dodgers in the NLDS. Washington swept St. Louis in the NLCS to advance to the first World Series in Expos and Nationals history. The Nationals are led by Anthony Rendon, who is hitting .375 with a homer and seven RBI’s in the playoffs. Juan Soto has added two homers and seven RBI’s in the postseason. Howie Kendrick had the dramatic grand slam against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLDS. He hit 5-for-15 with four RBI’s in the NLCS. He will likely DH in the games in Houston. The Nationals have great starting pitching. Anibal Sanchez has only allowed a run in 12 2/3 innings in the playoffs. Stephen Strasburg has 33 strikeouts in 22 innings in October. Max Scherzer has a 1.80 ERA in 20 postseason innings. Patrick Corbin has been roughed up a bit in the playoffs. The Nationals have rebuilt their bullpen throughout the season. Daniel Hudson has been amazing with 5 2/3 scoreless innings and four saves. Sean Doolittle helps set him up and can close based on match-ups. Fernando Rodney has emerged out of the bullpen and gotten some big outs. Wander Suero, Hunter Strickland, and Tanner Rainey have been roughed up at times. 

The Astros At A Glance- The Houston Astros have dominated all season long. They amassed 107 wins and had the best record in the American League. The Astros won the American League West fairly easily, but were tested by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round. They edged the Rays in five games and beat the Yankees in six games to take the American League pennant. Jose Altuve has carried the offense this postseason. He has a .349 average with five homers and eight RBI’s. He hit the walk-off two-run homer to close out Game 6 on Saturday night. Carlos Correa and George Springer started the playoffs slow, but have hit better as of late. Springer is 7-for-his-last 33 with two homers and four RBI’s. Correa had two big homers in the ALCS and drove in five. Yordan Alvarez has been ice cold with a .171 average in the playoffs. Gerrit Cole has been the best Astros starting pitcher. He has give up one run over 22 2/3 postseason innings. Justin Verlander has been good, but not his best. He has a 3.70 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. Zack Greinke has been beat up a big with a 6.43 ERA in fourteen innings. Brad Peacock or Jose Urquidy will start Game 4. Chris Devenski will be added to the playoff roster in place of Bryan Abreu. Ryan Pressly will be on the World Series roster after injuring his knee late in the ALCS. Roberto Osuna has a 3.52 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. Will Harris has not allowed a run in 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Joe Smith has been elevated to the seventh inning guy. Josh James and Ryan Pressly will come in early in game if needed. Pressly has gotten some big outs this postseason. 

What To Watch For- The Astros and Nationals last played each other in 2017. The Nats took two out of three games in Houston. Houston is (244-207) all-time against the Expos/Nationals. Max Scherzer is (3-1) with a 3.38 ERA in seven games against the Astros. Gerrit Cole is (3-2) with a 2.92 ERA in six starts versus the Nats. Stephen Strasburg is (1-0) with a 1.80 ERA in three starts against the Stros. Justin Verlander is (2-0) with a 2.57 ERA in two starts against the Nationals. Asdrubal Cabrera has three career homers off him. Zack Greinke is (6-1) with a 1.27 ERA in nine starts versus Washington. Patrick Corbin is (2-1) with a 5.21 ERA in three starts against Houston. Anibal Sanchez is (4-2) with a 3.39 ERA in ten starts versus the Astros. Just think that the Detroit Tigers had Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, and Max Scherzer on their roster in 2014. All three guys are pitching in the World Series again. Former Twins Kurt Suzuki, Brian Dozier, Anibal Sanchez, Fernando Rodney, and Ryan Pressly are all playing in the World Series. If George Springer and Carlos Correa can stay hot then the Astros have the better lineup. Yordan Alvarez is another key to this series for Houston. The Nationals have the deeper bench and I’m anxious to see who starts at second with Howie Kendrick DH’ing in the first two games. The Nationals have the better starting pitching as of now. Another key will be the bullpens and the Astros have more arms than the Nationals. Watch out for Gerardo Parra when he comes up to the plate in DC. You will have Baby Shark stuck in your head all night. The Astros will win this series in six games. 

-Chris Kreibich-

[shytiff]

July 2021

1 - the toners i bought from sociolla arrived yay. loll i got into portal’s hall of fame somehow. usual day at magang. slowww progress of that sympo 1 ppt hhh. went back home and its raininggg yall. this week my hygiene habits and isya prayer was screwed. i cant bring myself to DOOOO things. i basically only get stuff done outside.

2 - started 2nd ppt (i know!!! super slow aaaaa). bought dough lab OG cookies and cookie monster since it was discounted at grab’s PI outlet. bought matcha mcflurry w juan when going back to AR. ate roti canai, the whole mcflurry, and tried the cookies. the sugar, bruh. all this time, im not lacking energy. im lacking sugar lol. watched two set and played marapets lol

3 - binged twoset violin. cant bring myself to do ppt. Finally managed at night.

4 - dayslept. Not sleepy but cant bring myself to do anything. Supernova technical meeting at 1 pm and some gmeet with iship wa group and suddenly its maghrib,,, did like 2 slides of ppt

5 - went to post office to get str and arrived 8 sharp. No one was there. Anjeng. They said wait until 9. went to tax office. Closed. Off to rscm. Ugh the traffic!? Surprise of kiara "internship" that on the very same day was cancelled

6 - its a struggle to reach rscm ugh. tried to go through sudirman but the toll exit was closed. so we went through tebet. gajah 2 was also sealed. while waiting for juan i bought snacks in indomaret. lol, got no cash. liqo with kak kartika and fell asleep halfway through lol,,,

7 - this time we’re going through kemayoran lmao and exited the toll at rawamangun. bought saladstop caesar salad just bcss they have this collapsible bowl bundling, together 140k (after added grab promo) lool. 

8 - today i didnot went to gastro since its off day due to a gastro staff getting covid. went to RSF for operan with dr dedes. took pictures with dr vera and we made heart using hand lmaooooo my koas soul felt scared doing that. tried the sushi mom bought at lotte mart. she also bought milk buns and it was good! like a marriage between bread and mochi. my stomach felt super bloated to a point where it hurts so i ate paldo wet ramyeon except i put too much water and the seasoning was diluted. 

9 - im supposed to do ppt but i cant bring myself to do it. i lazed in my bed literally all day. bingeing two set. reading webtoon. playing marapets. felt like utter shit. thought that id start my day after maghrib but nah. ended up sleeping

10 - still feel like shit and cant bring myself to start my day. And didnt do anything lmaoo

11 - cant bring myself to start my day~ ended up starting work like after maghrib. Its more difficult with things where u actually have to think bcs u need a certain headspace. Got sbux matcha and that shit rly helps me feel "normal".

12 - intern as usual. The 4 ppts are "finished" and i contacted the prof after mustering some strength. Zoom call with prof to check on the ppt. Bought a delicious es jeruk somewhere along the way to AR. Talked to mom abt picking wahana. The list was finally out and it was jakarta fair. Ara called, her grandpa passed away and shes afraid to go back and potentially harming her familys health. Showered but slept right after without doing anything meaningful 😔

13 - today is the 2nd "special batch" of internship idi. Followed along the war as a practice time. Theres a lot of vacant spots. And that scared us wanting to go national lol. I hope everything will be fine. Another zoom call with Prof, ughh theres so much to reviseeeeeee and i havent made any word material

14 - its only nessa and me today at dept. Picked rs krakatau medika together w nessa. Clara told me abt how her mother is sometimes toxic. Cant rly focus on work today bcs of internship stuff. Had headache ec lack of sleep that lasted from 2-6 pm. Immediately slept like a log after isya

15 - turns out nessa also want to pick rskm loll that makes 7 ui peeps in rskm. Did some good progress by alienating myself in Prof's cubicle. Moral message: whatever time you think youd make the ppt, it will be more. Bought martabak tipker orins yum. Its like lekker on steroids. I still prefer martabak pizza more.

16 - did 1 word for the ppt. Bought jco donuts w nessa bcs my mouth was lonely. Sent 1 completed topic to Prof and pamit.

17 - cant bring myself to do anything~ felt like shit~ played marapets and watched tiktok and youtube

18 - pembekalan iship today

19 - more pembekalan iship. Medical checkup today at labkesda. Met nessa mendel adita regen clara agung. Ate kfc together at nessas place. Went to dinkes jakbar for sppd. No ppt progress aaaaaa

20 - packed my stuff. Originally planned ti leave at 2 pm but theres a lot of uncertainty so i decided to leave tomorrow. The real certainty came at like 9 pm.

21 - off to cilegon 05:30 ish. Filled the gas. Arrived 07:15. Moved my stuff. Went to pkm with mom et al and ness mendel. Swab. Back to palm wates. I felt sad when mom had to leave. She must be tired, but she keeps supporting me with everything that she has. I know its always been like that but sometimes distance makes you see things (?) maybe its bcs im outside ar right now. Bought food. Printed stuff at a place 600m away. Did ppt work accompanied by mocca goodday (that i just knew was good lmao)

22 - zoom orientation today. Still managed to laze out and not do my work -___- tri was out so i was alone. Ate gold chick for brunch. That stuff is oil mixed with food. Finally did some work. The night orientation with dr Selfie was pretty shocking, but it was rly informative and i think she did it out of love.

23 - puskes 1st day. Orientation and turns iut we headed straight to poli lol. Had my very first poli umum with the kind dr arief. My first patient had bee sting :) the second was breast lump :) its rly a slap in my face to go study. Stayed in nessa's for a bit to do some work, except i felt rly tired and gave up at like 4 pm. Bought kebab around the corner (15k). Unremarkable. Kanayam for dinner, w some for breakfast 2mrw

24 - slept early so i woke up early. Tri also. We did some working at like 3 am til subuh. Poli was not too crowded since it was saturday. Helped mendel irrigate his ear in the puskes ER. Waited out the 2 pm standby. We ended up driving to merak except for esa lol. Bought kanayam again lol. Ended up sleeping early again

25 - nasi uduk 88 for breakfast. Some ppt work. my family came bringing motor hehe. Moved to mess. Met dr Ine. Learned how to use washing maching. More ppt work. Bought nasgor just in front of the mess

26 - vaccine post today. Zoom with IDI cilegon. Nessa cooked macaroni and meat. Talked a bit and then suddenly its half past 10. No significant ppt progress today. Im rly sorry Prof 😭😭😭

27 - MTBS poli today. Bu ningrum gave me cimol and jantung pisang and sayur and salad buah hehee. Some orientation. Did the last ppt for Prof. Can finally rest (??) nah the words still not finished. Overall mood today: ☺️

28 - poli usila today in bp with mendel. Injected mendel with his 3rd sinovac. Went to dinkes for SPPD.

29 - vaksin with mendel. lots of patients. porridge for bfast. talked about love life lmaoo. tried sate bebek h. syafei. quite good but sate klathak still holds the first place in my heart. finished the 3rd word doc and sent it. just as i was about to sleep, i saw the notif of jk going live. hes basically dancing around in his pjs at 1 am lmaoo <3

30 - paldo jajangmen for bfast. BP. shoot a video for e-promkesline. soto for lunch. bought kopi soe goela merah and croffle. the croffle was not as hard and crunchy and thick as social affair’s. the choco-nut topping was so so. the coffee was bitter like tuku, but not as smooth and creamy (?), not too acidic. did ppt of ecmocard data an hour before the zoom sesh.

31 - vaccine with dr anggi. went back early. bought some stuff in indomaret. lunch was abon, rice and leftover veggies. finished the last word manuscript for Prof along with kopi soe and sent it. vcalled w mom. had simba pillow mixed with sport muesli for dinner.