Caps Lunchbox P. 1: Power play adjustments-10/26
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Wed, 26 Oct 2011|
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CSN Washington dot com. Hey everybody welcome to your week to edition of capitals lunch box. Kellie -- haren joined again by my -- host JT. And this week. They've got Brian McNally from the Washington examiner joining us gentlemen. Let's get into week -- through it that's doing it the power play huge this time around. You've been on the -- for a long time Ryan. Apparently not always effective. Especially starting back let's let's go back to that Montreal series where just horribly ineffective power play I think one for 33. What's different this time around what's making them the leaders in the league. We have to go back to Montreal yeah so we must go back to go forward it was so that it was interesting answer that one for 33 you're right it was terrible no puck movement Montreal did everything to stop take a Mets get away. Just make it ineffective group. And the first two months last year they were okay they were actually. You know back near the top of the league I think there -- rounds when He 3%. But. Once December 1 pitch that was it they kind of kind of fell apart on us the rest of the year. -- -- -- That was the number one goal in the off season had to find a way to fix that and meetings after meeting -- they tried to figure out a way in and they've done. A pretty good job so far of of changing things up moving a -- and off the point using him in the slot or behind the net just just mixing things up. Doesn't hurt to have Mike Green and Dennis Wideman healthy and together. You know at the point kind of control one thing. So great -- interesting article JP on your site today. About Ovechkin specifically in that power play units can you give us a little bit of insight if you haven't read it go do your homework people. Yeah I mean it essentially looking at the goals that. We scored on the power play over the past two seasons. And I am now that -- -- -- is real though when they have been scored He hasn't been. In that point position. Where He spent the time so you know as Brian was saying it's been hugely important to. I get -- off to the point get him to point along hat boards. In the slot where you can be more effective a little closer to the net and Dennis Wideman. And Mike Green allowed that happens. And with the movement they're getting toward Broward front. Our friend Greenberg in peace. For the Washington Post the other. You're you're really seeing unit that's. A little bit more effective than it has been. -- Greenberg another piece that you need to check out if you haven't because. I think that's it is somebody -- kept off the score sheet and fairly well so far. But it is so vital to that power play unit just causing panic in front goaltenders and we saw that certainly against a trade I'm. And they can't see anything around and -- it. Around -- now you can't see anything around -- what He did a great job of when -- win -- -- in -- back -- in the corner kind of playing catch with each other China's trying to set up. -- -- Broward immediately goes to the front of the net Ty Conklin doesn't know what's coming. Actually makes a pass out front my greens you know puts the back -- shot and then and it worked and He did it twice the other night and that's He told us after that game that Bruce Boudreau came Newman said. Listen you do that or you're not going to be out Mike Knuble have other guys action news. And when you have a team with that many options. You know that you know your role you better accomplishes otherwise you're not gonna play itself. Again ice last week that the journalist and bit of a hard -- this season and that continues you said Friday night or Friday during practice at all they did right was work on power play. Straight power play. Yeah that's that's all they did that was went you know He devoted the entire time to it everything you saw in the game that works they were working on that during that during a practice and. You know he's he's been on them pretty good this year he's been. Some of these practices guys are coming off believing in. You know that's who took a spill the other day in at least they're not messing around there there. You know taking their time in between games and and seemed to be using it more effectively maybe then they did at times. Last year and I'm not every player would agree with that but you didn't speak to perks like about. Speak to groups like about it logically if you didn't think He and wasn't so much prickly as He was kind of wondering if if He was saying they weren't working hard last year which which I wasn't really saying what it was when -- rallies as it it was more pep rally did that mean He took care of that for me but. What what He basically said was you know maybe there was a little more focus maybe -- you know that first practice when you're not playing until Thursday. We treat that one as if it was Wednesday practice and and you can see that if you go out there I mean it that hitting is more intense and guys are more focused. I think that's translated it's pretty obvious that's translated over whether they keep that up offseason. That's the ultimate question -- But it is working for now and another thing that's working all four lines and JP last week you said that you thought the third line -- most effective. And make an argument for the fourth time this summer around what I am. It's it's been an energy line I mean what Matthew Guerrero brings to that line -- them. That that line frankly hasn't had. In recent memory. Is some real creativity offensively hands and real energy you know Matt Hendricks has always going to be an energy got -- perot's energies a little different type energy it's not so much. Thing around is just spinning wheels and ordering prime penalties and that kind of thing opposite. And they've been rewarded you know hit the three Eagles last two games. He's really provided that spark -- fourth line. CSN 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. 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Beltway Baseball: Reader questionsCSN Washington dot com. Thanks for clicking here on CSN Washington dot com your watch him beltway baseball it's a season marks the mark it's time for reader questions and I think we got some really good ones this week. The first one from Eric he asks. What are the chances that the league has figured out and or Strasburg and that. Maybe that is contributed to their early season struggles. If that has been going on could changeup the reactions that yeah that's a good question we talk about Strasburg are others segment and I think there's a little bit of the league start to figure him out. But certainly not as intimidated by him. As a maybe it will when he first came out but I think if Strasburg he's so good that he. conference itself can locate his fastball he's going to be just fine opposite Kerr our tests I still so fastball straighten out he's going to be fine. He little more instinct question to me because here's a guy who was new the National League last year whoever went way. Maybe there is little bit more of a book coming out on him his last Pittsburgh was that he got that big jam early. Got out of it and one of the reasons got out it was because change. It doesn't throw a whole lot pass to Tony Wilson Ramos calling for. And insisting on a deal with but he talked and it's not like it's I'm walker out right but he trusted Ramos. Started making some good pitches getting some outs and also and I think you may see some more of that from him down the road it's again. It's all about adapting his pitchers. Baseball's all about adjustments. Pictures investigators because of the pitchers. The more they see you at Wimbledon and you you have to learn how to adjust to that and it got out on the road. That's his thing and think about GO looking back at that trade most of the guys they sent the other way didn't have really worked is kind of favored Houston right now. And Norris is is pretty pretty decent and they got little on the loan is really right now I don't know if you've seen or he's the one that was kind of an afterthought at that time but he he's very polished. Mean I ever be an ace is good solid back pace now or stick with the rotation for the second question really good question in my opinion by Murray the red. Says the one through five rotation it is clear now that they are not the best to worst quarters they should be. Will that be corrected and if so how. And how do you guys see the best course for well let's start with that first part you know everyone makes it's a big who's number one number 2345. Other than the first week of the season and they want to get to the playoffs. It really matter nobody now you don't mind guys that thing and you are number one vs there when it has off days rain outs. You know it throws off so you don't make midseason adjustments that unless one guy is so bad that you think you need to skip his turn. And I don't think there. There but. The way it's staked out so far this year you have to see Jordan Zimmermann is their number one right right now no disrespect to see Strasburg. But towards has pitched like an ace and real team. At the moment he's like. Among the leaders in. We NCR a whip and you have to consider him for the all star game starter. And long way to go obviously I think you have to put number one if it were right now. You goes if they started a playoff series this weekend I think towards me it was game one. It probably still put Strasburg threw just because as we used yet and maybe that I was three because he's been a more consistent you Gonzales. Yeah I think that's the way ago parent I know is listed as the as the recently but that weather started so hot I think he would pride but he bumped up in the rotation as well. Third question is from three on two out. Says what is your prognosis or into any random will he stay in the minors. Barring injury or roster player until September call ups or their other possibility. Answered the question we just got to see him for two weeks and you could see glimpses of what he can for them but here's the problem he's got to play every. He hasn't done it as a professional even late in his college career he was hurt Dan may need him playing every day somewhere. When he was up here couldn't afford a plane never ever losing they need some tough games in Atlanta we need is best possible option so. I really think he's gonna stay in the minors. Play every day and time at third base but also some time at second base shortstop. We'll see if another injury came up exited on back up. Otherwise thank you think it's going to be September. Because he just don't want this guy's development he's too good long term prospect. To bring up your second that's yours and his development if you do that is we've heard the organization say he needs more time. And he when he came up he showed signs stating that there were a little things defense that I'm miscues base running miscues. That just. Proved pretty clearly that he just needs more and he point out it was a great thing that he mentioned off on his last 8% back down he can understand how much more they think here. It's not just about who's the most talented there's a lot of thought processes in it for pitchers. It's something he's dollars and everybody have to learn and you only get that experience. CSN Washington dot com.
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Boston Marathon runner Rachel Ackerman describes her experience on MondayCSN Washington dot com Rachel first or by. Describe to the viewers just fit the moments leading up to the ovaries and just describe what the city of Boston was like it. Yeah I got in net and a couple might be further and I went to the accident to pick up my number and that's always really exciting as spenders I'm a lot of great GNC. All the different people who learn there are just getting ready. I'm driving ever wearing their shirts ended the reeling me I have it I made stayed at my college which is happening before. They're racing in the morning and she lives by the starting lines there's lots of people coming in and out and just eating and chatting and talking about so happy it's so much cooler than last years and have there which is 9089 degrees that. And it's really just a beautiful start lots of green energy and Dan and look like it was going to be really fantastic and. The race starts. You finished you feel like triumph celebration. Over the training you put into it. Walk us through the events that led up to at the 250 mark of the race when you first heard the explosion. Yeah that you know I had it finished there is am I name's Wayne and got my bag and changed and then masters checking on and I relations and some time know my time. Yeah I was safety hair and and with getting text messages about that I was on the on the get together with them and you know. I can't go at those walking. Toward the start line to cheer on other people who we're finishing and I think that's the greatest part of that. to get to theater and I'm excited and and ran that slant and yet going toward the finish line. I heard. Allowed explosions. Heard in Ireland. And I way. Got out there and tactically. And where are starting to from where it finished out toward where. Luckily you got a chance to call your father right away a lot of fuel didn't get an opportunity because a frantic situation that's going on. What did you see eighty your dad at the time to get a chance talked to. I was terrified and I hung up with my friend and I immediately called my father and I expect that I have no idea what's going on I just heard explosions I'm pretty I was crying on the and I think you need to look on the and Tommy what it is. And then I was completely. Panicked. And I say and just started walking away from them. The and I looked around I thought I mean I was filed a big buildings and not have to just keep walking away from us and I just kept going. Torre. Out outside of the immediate downtown area and it it just out. I mean just you know when did you. Feel like something wasn't right you heard the first explosion and I think fifteen seconds later was the second one was at that second one when you're like OK something's not right he. I think it was the second it sounded like it had been anything that I had heard before learn and it didn't found the car backfiring someone spending he was a transformer. Exploding like that I've heard before and telling Amy could have been but when I saw people running. And looking frantic and ask them. Everyone kind of stopped being looking very perplexed that was probably not we ever in fear of your life. I was very panicked when it happen and I don't know if I was in fear of my Iowa I think I was just so you know. Going I was a little bit in shock I think I am. Was very and I was. Very aware. Began large buildings around me and if these whereupon I think what were they trying to get to get. As far away from this buildings. I think I was more. Panic because I was five I was had not yet met up with friends with me later so I kind of self. I'm trying to get somewhere and that part it's with the scary for me thing I've been in touch with people or where to go or what to do you. Clearly from. Listen to the president and the FBI. This is a terror event the question I think many people wanted to know from people experience it is your marathon runner. Will you do it again and now when you are in public places does this change how you go about your daily life. If they're really. It's a really good question. I I think you know. Part of the thinking part of what I love about running marathons is that anybody can do and it's a gathering I mean this again and Aaron from around the world from across the country. And I am. You know I I You know of course run another marathon and I I would even do Boston again I mean that I just think it's so. Horrific that. It's it's now going to be a place that is. thought of as a target but there's going to be have to increase security act and holiday things when usually. Speculate and in Boston it's a sad day when everybody in the community comes together and you know knowing that workers schooler. Things like that and and you know I am I winning at a I would not run again because I think that would be. Giving in to look at you sure this 2013. Boston Marathon when you put this shirt back on again whenever that is. What is going to be the first thing you think about. You know when I when I put it on today I had read a lot of posts about everyone should Wear their shirt today in honor. Everybody and Bob and in the marathon and that's an injury and you know I usually just use either their regular running sure I don't know it's that really it's a related question but it was nice today even at the aircraft coming over just to see everybody. In there marathon. much more quiet in the heat and it has had been last year and that it was just in the community. I'm feeling that everybody was kind of rally around it. in with this. Yesterday while we saw terror. Tragedy we saw the American spirit once again. Coming to the forefront watching people not just run away people were running towards in helping what would you remember most about what happened yesterday. You know having Adam. Having not know quite is going nine I was really struck by people who and having myself in those moments I was really struck by people who are trying to help. help everyone out I know I was. I'm walking you wonder action there is stamina liking to go find your family it's a family meeting and that's like now. But an and then another group like you're just gonna keep walking with us and tell. We figure out where to go and I went into a restaurant with my phone battery was the people there. I'm in by and they kept the computers. On everything in that that theory you know either. and restaurant wearing you know inviting people to sit with them and you know you know Guinea tees and greens and just constantly checking and then and thought that was really great I thing. And to of course see all of us stories about people who cross the finish line and then when he gave turned right around London and went back and how I thought was really unbelievable. behalf of all of were glad your safe. And we hope this doesn't deter you. From running another marathon especially going back to Boston thanks so much thinking. CSN Washington dot com.
