Ok guy (that is, if anyone is still reading), I know we’re behind.  I know we’ve been “bad bloggers” this season, but perhaps it’s because there’s other things we’re doing with our time.  When you’re watching baseball games every night, it’s hard to concentrate on what’s going on on the TV AND to write a blog post.  And then there are the non-baseball things going on in our lives.  In any case, Drew and I are still making predictions, and while I haven’t gotten around to rounding up our July predictions (super quick summary: we weren’t quite optimistic enough), we’re going to put in our August predictions before the month gets too far ahead of us.  And because we’re going for speed here, there won’t be pictures (at least for a little bit).

July 31-Aug 2: vs Phillies

Maggie: I’m thinking at least 2.  They’re having a crappy year, and showing it, but the Nats do have to face Cliff Lee.  (2-1)

Drew: The Phillies team that got swept by the Braves isn’t going to be the team that plays the Nats at the end of July.  2-1, a sweep, both sound good to me. What I care about more is how I don’t dread the Phillies fans this season.  They don’t come to the park with their usual swag and obnoxiousness.  I’m looking forward to the game on the 31st.  Should be a quiet night. [Addendum: After the debacle that wast the first game, I still think the Nats will take 2 of the three games (up 2-1 as I write). However, the Nats showed me some things last night that make me take pause.] (2-1)

Aug 3-5: vs Miami (including doubleheader on the 3rd)

Maggie: We’re playing them at home (as opposed to Miami, where they historically cream us), so I’m happy enough to say (3-1)

Drew: This is another team that will look very different than the last time the Nats played them. I think that Miami’s grand experiment can’t quiet be called a failure yet. Being 14 games back is bad but i still think they might pull out a better record this year than last season.  However, the Marlins are only playing middling baseball. Their FIP and opp. BABIP are middle of the pack as is their offense.  Maggie is right, 3-1 makes sense. (3-1)

Aug 6-9: @ Houston

Maggie: All my past predictions have been so cautious.  They have more losses than we do wins.  I’ll go with a big series win.  (3-1)

Drew: Go BIG Maggie! I’m going with a sweep. Why? Why not!  Interestingly, the Astros have scored runs than the the Marlins. However, they give up runs like Goldman execs get options.  The Nats’ offense has woken up as of late so I’m expecting the pitching to hold off the Astros for a sweep. (4-0)


Aug 10-12: @ Arizona

Maggie: For whatever reason, the Diamondbacks make me wary.  I’ll go with (1-2)

Drew: I do think the the D-backs are going to be a challenge for the Nats.  The Dbacks don’t seem to have much of the Nats’ current bane: Speed. They’re near the bottom in stolen bases and are benefiting from a .317 BABIP from playing in a division with terrible defense.  I see them as the roughly .500 team they are and don’t expect much trouble on the Nats’ part. (2-1)

Aug 13-15: @ San Fran

Maggie: SF Worries me too, but if I’m going to be optimistic, I’m going to be optimistic. (2-1)
Drew: I’m going the opposite way. It’s been a while since the Nats had a west coast swing and the Giants are playing a lot better than last time.  They’re pitching is much improved and their offense seems to be succeeding in playing small ball. That makes me worried because while the Nat’s haven’t been giving up a lot of homeruns, they’ve been losing games on the base paths.  I’m going to say the Nats go 1-2 for this series. (1-2)

Aug 17-19: vs NY Mets

Maggie: This is the right time of year for a late season Mets collapse.  (3-0)
Drew: That’s the boldness I like to see! I, however, do not share your optimism. The Mets have a better offense than I think their record suggests. Their pitiching is only middling with the exception of R.A. Dickey.  I think this series could really go either way but because it’s at home, I’ll say the Nats go (2-1)

Aug 20-22: vs Atlanta

Maggie: I think it would be silly to count Atlanta out since they’re the last team other than the Nats that seems to have any spark in the NL East.  I’ll say Nats win the series, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Atlanta took it instead. (2-1)

Drew: Completely agree. The Braves are my new nemesis.  Despite growing up in Atlanta, I will never root for the Braves.  I think the biggest question will be if Chipper plays in this series.  If he doesn’t (and I hope he doesn’t) then I give the Nats a much better chance of going 2-1. Otherwise it’s a coin flip in my book. (2-1)

Aug 24-26: @ Philly

Maggie: A group of Nats fans will be visiting CBP on Saturday night, and I’ve got high hopes they leave happy.  I say we sweep the series.  (3-0)

Drew: Multiple sweeps! At this point, the Phillies will be at their most dangerous.  By this time they should be close to being eliminated from the playoffs and will be playing for the hell of it (and gobs of cash).  I say they actually have an uptick in performance as a result and take 2 from the Nats.  (1-2)

Aug 28-29: @ Miami

Maggie: Visiting Miami has never been the Nats strong suit.  Thank goodness it’s only a 2 game series! (1-1)

Drew: Can them fish! Sweep! (2-0)

Aug 30-Sept 2: vs St Louis (series continues over the weekend, and the homestand deep into September, no good place to cut off)

Maggie: The Cards are one of those more historically (well, recently historically?) dominant teams.  I don’t see them fading off into the autumn light.  I should end my optimistic month with a won series, but I’ll call it a split. (2-2)

Drew: A four game series with the Cardinals will be a late season treat. The Reds are going to run away with the division but I think the Cards will fight hard for that extra wildcard spot. I don’t think they’ll catch the Nats (if they don’t win the division) but it will be a challenge none the less. A split would be a nice outcome but I think there’s a real chance the Nats go (3-1)


Final Total

Maggie: a ridiculous 22-10.

Drew: identically crazy 22-10

So – are we totally nuts for imagining a 22-10 run over the month of August (plus 1 day in July and 2 in September)?  Let us know your predictions in the comments!