Lunchbox Live: Caps-Rangers Game 1 breakdown-4/14
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Thu, 14 Apr 2011|
Transcript
CS in Washington dot com. Welcome to lunch box slot I'm Jennifer Williams alongside Kelly count. And start talking about the beautiful -- victory last night. Does want box slot -- today eightieth. -- got a lady is in the building. The first one out pretty much the earth and hopefully not collapse last let's get started so that caps win. And over he overtime last night. Eighteen minutes. With a minute thirty -- -- does this rank in terms of playoff game it was just so I was in a bar downtown and the place erupted. Yep same thing with where I was I was and -- Clarendon plays also went not. And this is one of the most exciting games that I've seen the caps play it's just there's a different energy when you get to the playoffs -- and there's been a lot of disappointed in the past few seasons. And I can't think of a game that's been tighter. I would -- Given that it's that's the first game of this series and got her parents -- like that is because the arc. I'll have a few more gray hairs on my hand and -- a lot of the capsule to after this kind of series but. I couldn't -- better game you got everything that was expected out of this game a tough defensive effort for both sides. I'm just greedy play and that's exactly what you spent expected in New York. As far as how it ranks. I find it tough to put it behind that -- in game seven that they wind two years ago surrogate that brought scoring are on the winning goal. And then I happen to be at game three up in new York and you know the caps were down in that series they had won a single game they go to new York and they just blow New York out of their own building. Was very Madison Square Garden -- them as what went and it's exciting event for me. And it -- the way that the caps have lost to the Rangers this season they lost five all at home back in February. That this is had a decent rate revenge in got to give them some confidence going forward in the series absolutely. Does and until Alex Ovechkin scored last night hadn't scored on the Rangers since November. I've been the first people to tell you though everybody on the team that they are different team after the trade deadline and what I found interesting on Monday when I was in the locker room. When you're asking them about -- what's different this year what what makes you guys different -- Is very different feeling because there seems to be a different aura around this team I've been around this team. In their locker room for the past two years come this time of year and they are different and each and every one of them pointed to what's that they made at the trade deadline. All reference are not -- already right stern even Wideman who you know up until two days ago was in the hospital for two weeks but the -- different on and off the ice. And you mentioned Jason aren't. He added that -- to salmon last night. How cool and you think about senate and who. Was gold list and last year's series Canadians who could think was the difference maker. I think it's been what fourteen games since -- court -- -- school it was two years ago that haven't scored in the playoffs. And an interesting stat that I reckoning and the wind and it went seven scores and this is true this regular season. And seven scores. Caps don't lose in regulation and it allows -- an overtime and so. Seven really I think a lot of his of us pinpointed as coming and seven really is one of those key factors and having seven on having them the two top lines on. They're unstoppable thing you need both lines and Arnott has really done a lot to take someone like Alan Anderson and the can be incredibly frustrating at times we. I think you led the league and I might be wrong on this but he's at a letters up top with Patrick -- season. He can be so on or just sell off. And Jason Arnott has really done a great job of holding him accountable. Being that person that is going to call amount I want and -- team right but he's doing and central if it's not turning him off I think salmon went to. And after I will be tackled him last night similarly street Arnott to celebrate and those 21 outline together just. Click dynamic and speaking of another dynamic player you talked about sending being inconsistent. So -- and has gotten a lot of heat. For not pulling his weight. When push comes to -- how do you think he -- last night I think. Alex Ovechkin Alex Ovechkin has been criticized throughout the season because his numbers are. But he on the team's numbers are down. They've they've switched to a different style of play and Alex Ovechkin is -- And you see him last night on the bench taking shots and I believe -- oxygen repetitive. Sucking down on the -- I mean he just he's so intense he's. You know -- 180 miles per hour at all times I'm and you saw that last night and he's scoring. Not no Beagle a gritty Mike Knuble goal exactly what they need to score again -- you say earlier in the season the criticism lies that they weren't working hard enough so went. You hear that. Alex the great needs a breath of food and I'm not in the on the sidelines they're you know they're working hard and you know. Another great story line is Mike Green we think we've seen in the playoffs. He skated 26 minutes what do think about Mike green's performance and what he's going forward. You know I was shocked by how well he performed yet been played since February 25. And yet limited play between now and and that shot that he took from -- or pick I believe back from February 6. I was surprised by how much time he put -- how much quality time I think percent after the game that his first period was one of the best he's had all year. My green working really hard to -- it was paired with Erskine and they were on ice for the first call that the Rangers scored the only goal of the Rangers scored. But I was I mean just pleasantly surprised by him to come back after that much time and play a game. And look like you haven't missed any games I mean he's inking formed on it's just such a pleasant surprise especially if Wideman can be out. Talk about stepping up. Yeah that's in the cancer. You know how the injured players got -- enough reps especially heading into the playoffs and and he delivered now speaking of delivering. Not be all my got 21 playoff game shut out 24 saves. The thing about this case it it appears to be a total had the confidence is there he's quietly giving the job done what you think about it for. Interesting you bring up the word quiet because that's exactly what he has quiet confidence he's so. He's one of those characters that you need a locker room and you just think very -- well yeah he's very Ashley doesn't even make eye contact easily with reporters. So when you're talking to -- kind of want -- town he's pretty he doesn't have a lot to say but picky if you're listening to him if you're really listening to him not getting caught up and -- quiet you look so young you know. But he's the first person tell you that he has never lost a playoff series in his life and he wants it bad you can't rattle -- he's very tough to rattle. Think only once that he this season he had former goals scored on hand. -- I was so impressed especially when it went into overtime. The kids Corey you know what more can you say about him I think 2425. Saves. Just so impressive and yes a lot of pressure going in because a lot of people were comparing opened Harlem on the -- -- numbers are so much battering. Plant the -- and comparing. -- out and meet -- me kind of compare. Obviously you can't -- you know you also have to give props to -- he was solid last night it's just the cat that came up. And you know and that that -- A -- Kim's goal you know at first glance it was hard to know that it went so I'll -- We're going forward. How should the caps prepare facing Lundqvist can't forget that he is -- seasoned vet and get the job done. And it's not just long fantasy he'd -- he has numerous defenders in front of him and we saw last night in overtime Dan Boyle took a slap shot to the lower regions. And they are ready and more than willing to get in the way of -- I'm very very frustrating defense play against so you have someone like -- on offense in net he's just going to be a showstopper. And then everybody in front of him you know making sure that you have as difficult. An opportunity. And very very few opportunities they should think. I to put that puck on -- fast it's it's tough. So creating confusion is is key cycling the puck down low key you know being patient not letting them last year we saw that's against Montreal. A team that also shot blockers and they're gonna get in the way they're going to try to frustrate you as much as possible. On one of those some one of the things that the Rangers did very well throughout the season was an -- toning and on about scanned. And -- his scheme down that they can't do that now the capitals sent angry I mean that job -- -- the capitals have been very dangerous lines so. It's tough to do that they just need to stay patient I saw a lot of times that. And it's like the Rangers were really trying to draw penalties off the capitals get them to react get them to. Just kind of -- kind of poke them and get them to do something that they don't want to -- you don't wanna -- shorthanded against. Against this team even though they have one of the past -- is in the game you still don't wanna give them kind of an opportunity in the playoffs. And they they did very well patience is the key and I think they're keeping their heads in the game I -- I think. A lot of credit is owed to Jason Arnott for that he's. The players coach you know. Right absolutely now looking toward. Tomorrow night. We've talked a lot about the caps had had game do you think this win gives them the confidence or should they stay. Humble what (%expletive) what a storyline speaks well. Think the story of the capitals and we saw this last year's you can never feel too comfortable no matter how do you how many games you've won until you've won four. I'm so you know I think. And I think those veteran presence that they and that veteran presence that they have from Sturm from are not from Knuble two of them cup winners. I'm really gonna do a lot to help keep everybody's had level. On which you see that there I think you -- absolutely confident this and it absolutely is something that Michael whoever needs. -- I think you know just can't get too excited it's just one games. It's one game we've seen how various periods can go to into the -- you start feeling comfortable at its three of navy and snag. Maybe the stranger things have happened I will Kelly thank you so much for swinging -- and don't you guys forget we're gonna have. All the caps coverage on locked tomorrow night at 730 only on Comcast's Washington. CS in Washington dot com.
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Beltway Baseball: Why Strasburg will be just fineCSN Washington dot com. Are welcomed the beltway baseball here on CSN Washington dot com on chase Hughes and mark Zuckerman. And mark we've been through a month and a few weeks or overly down here. And the nationals as a team having kinda inconsistent but one thing that is really travelling fans and people around league starting to notice is it consistency of Stephen Strasburg. The numbers aren't that far off from what we've seen but it anyone who's watched him over the last few years and tell maybe there's something something a little bit off he's having trouble finding the strike zone. What do you make of the situation and do you think it is that they concern yeah I mean the thing is like you said the numbers don't look. It that far off feeds the pitching. for big league pitcher but he set such a high bar for so we've come to expect so much. Patted him it just doesn't quite look like what you expected the biggest thing is fastball command. You know he's not. Throwing strikes getting ahead in the count. The way it did it was so amazing about him as a rookie when he came back originally from the Tommy John surgery was the fact that. He could be a power pitcher while still having excellent coming that deadly combination. Just not quite there yet. Curve balls still excellent still excellent. I think you're seeing signs of improvement I think he's getting there but he still working on to think that it's mechanical mostly. And they they seem to determine and it's not physical it's mormons and you can see it on the on the field he's the body language that. He's impatient he gets frustrates easily and this just a matter of him being such a perfectionist. He's not used to not being great. He's used to being great not just good right exactly and I think that's that next step and take if he's really gonna become an ace of the World Series contender. It's about hey it doesn't matter what happens behind him Doesn't matter what run support I the umpire and I'm gonna go out I'm gonna beat no matter We're seeing there and do that right now I think it's time for Strasburg if he really wants to become an elite. Top. The line pitcher. That's what he needs you now quickly another guy who's had trouble as you can also I think might be a little bit more of a concern is his command has been quite there. I think it's curve ball isn't quite as sharp as it was last year this is something that might he might work out the kinks out. But he has been pride stuff yeah I mean an more erratic certainly had some fantastic start and that's really troubling ones I think his last start Pittsburgh may have been a turning point for them. Got a huge jam in the first inning lead off home runs very first pitch then he loads the bases. Nobody out. Battle back and get out six straight after that I can almost see a little something clicked inside and minutes that. Maybe this you Ozzie admitted afterwards and younger version him would have melted there. Let it spiral out control. That might be assigned an comes back next time that made it a big turning point mark let's talk about the catching situation we're moving through May and so far Davey has. Rotated kind of alternated and depending on the edge depending on the he said that at some he's gonna have to make a decision we saw over the weekend go back to back with Ramos. At some point. Maybe you and you think we're gonna see him go with the primary catcher I think so maybe not a true number one in the and a guy you know catching you know once or twice a week and I think he does. Number one wanna play the hot hand whoever it is. I think he hopes its problems he understands that everyone understands. That Wilson Ramos has higher ceilings and Kurt Suzuki put the whole package together offensively defensively he can do more so I think you're gonna start to see that. It Suzuki gets hot they'll play obviously. I think the preference be for to ultimately take over. I went into the numbers last week how the pitching staff has done with Suzuki and For some reason everybody but you done way better with over the past few seasons in their career ERA is. Are better with him in their career marks I don't I don't know I can't tell you why that is but that's the case yeah and I the pictures all insist they'll have both guys I don't know if there even where it. Yzerman tops they had success with Suzuki and it's amazing stats that would certainly something overtime that you have to look him. Now as we're getting close to the middle of may what we take stock with the division first the Braves came out really hot out of the gate. It was it was really at the point were you thinking all right who's gonna slow him down or what's gonna slow them down they didn't seem to have a weakness whatsoever. The nationals. Meanwhile your 500. But as they're starting to get things going they're not that far behind it could be much worse at this point oh absolutely mean if the nationals. Figure that April was their worst month but that's as bad against them they're going to be all right because they hover around 500. And the rays came back to earth and what's it was gonna happen next maybe not. To this extent you're surprised by that we're gonna play 900 ball. All right I think it was twelve and when you start here to me what's interesting is all of a sudden they're closer Craig Kimbrel. Most dominant closer in baseball last year and the first month this year he's blown three saves in days yeah giving up home runs. That's. Staggered problem right there I mean who knows just a blip. Or something long term about but also without Johnny Panthers won their top. Setup men and PG beaches and come back and just came back Heyward been out for a while there. BJ Upton knocked off to a good start the play and they got a lot of weapons are they're going to be good. Long term but they may not be quite easily as we and BJ Upton has been really bad and having having gas was really early on but. he's not looking like the next Mike Capps at this point about one thing I think it's interesting as the two best guys I think in their offense have to look at the numbers today. They've been Justin Upton and Chris Johnson who of course were with the team much yeah exactly they talk on all the offseason moves it made it mentioned Johnson as much damage in the Upton Brothers that night do you think getting Freddie Freeman back to deal with me that isn't fantastic all around first baseman. The Braves are going to be fine long term this can make good race really do believe that. CSN Washington dot com.
