Help! Washington Nationals game tonight

[Anonymous]

Help! I'm going to a Washington Nationals Baseball game tonight with co-workers and I don't know a thing about a) the team, b) the game (other than what you pick up growing up in America), c) the players, d) I don't even know what else I'm supposed to know!

I hope some sports fans are reading this now and are willing to share some insight as to what I should know for the game tonight so that I can a) enjoy it, and b) not look like a complete idiot in front of co-workers who probably know more about the game & sport than I do.

Anything you can share would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Read the sports section, including the playoff standings. Why did you need to ask on here?

[Anonymous]

The end of the regular season is the end of September, and Washington has a very small (3.8% chance, according to today's WaPo) of making into the playoffs.

To do this, they have to get the second of two "wild card" spots. (After the 3 division winners in the standings, the two teams with the next-best win/loss records on the season.) Their competitor for this "wild card" slot is the Cincinnati Reds. Right now the Cincinnati Reds are 4.5 games ahead of the Nats for this spot, with 12 games left to play in the season. Which means if the Nationals win all 12 of their remaining games, the Reds have to lose 5 of their remaining games for the Nationals to get the spot. A long shot, and complicated if you're unfamiliar with the game, but it's exciting. (This is called a "pennant race"--the team that wins the entire National League after the playoffs is referred to as winning the "pennant," and they get to go to the World Series to play against the American League pennant winner.)

The Nationals beat the Braves (our division leader) twice yesterday in a doubleheader (which is two games in one day). If we beat them again tonight it will be a "sweep" of the 3-game series. After the Braves leave town, we play mostly the Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida Marlins for the rest of the season. Both of those teams are pretty bad, and most of the teams the Reds play for the rest of the season are pretty good, which makes our chance of catching them for the wild card spot a little more exciting.

[Anonymous]

Almost all the Nats players are playing well right now, but our key players at the moment (at bat, anyway) are left fielder Bryce Harper, right fielder Jason Werth (our two big hitters), and Wilson Ramos, our catcher, who is not usually a power hitter but is on a tear right now. He had a huge game on Sunday against the Phillies -- 4 hits in 4 at-bats, including the game's only homer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Help! I'm going to a Washington Nationals Baseball game tonight with co-workers and I don't know a thing about a) the team, b) the game (other than what you pick up growing up in America), c) the players, d) I don't even know what else I'm supposed to know!

I hope some sports fans are reading this now and are willing to share some insight as to what I should know for the game tonight so that I can a) enjoy it, and b) not look like a complete idiot in front of co-workers who probably know more about the game & sport than I do.

Anything you can share would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Where to begin?

First, stand for the national anthem. Put your hand over your heart and look to the flag. You don't have to sing, but doing these things will help you fit in.

Second, the away team (Atlanta) bats first. The Nationals come up to bat. The Nationals have had a disappointing season but have really come on strong in the last month and are chasing a spot in the playoffs. The odds of getting to the playoffs are pretty small, but they do have a chance. And given the way they're playing (they won -- "swept" -- both games of the double header yesterday and have won something like 19 of their last 20 games), there is a LOT of excitement. Expect a big crowd.

Third, to that end, if you hear random cheers, check the other scores on the board in the outfield. People are watching to see if the Cincinnati Reds lose, since a combination of a Nationals victory and a Reds loss increases the chances that the Nationals make the playoffs (instead of the Reds).

Fourth, the lead-off (first) batter for the Nationals is Denard Span. He has a 28-game hitting streak (meaning he's hit safely at least once in the last 28 consecutive games), which is the longest active streak in Major League Baseball. So, expect a lot of extra cheering when he is at bat, especially if he hits safely and gets on base.

Fifth, the most popular players are probably Bryce Harper (who is all of 20 years old), Jayson Werth, and Ryan Zimmerman. Harber and Werth play in the outfield. Zimmerman plays third base.

Sixth, the famous "president's race" happens between the top of the fourth inning (when the Braves bat) and the bottom of the fourth inning (when the Nationals bat). There's usually silly intro played on the big screen and then five giant foam presidents (Lincoln, Taft, Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt) enter the stadium and race down the first base line. Traditionally, Teddy never wins, but he had his first victory a year ago when the Nationals won the NL East division (and made the playoffs).

Seventh, stand for the seventh inning stretch (between the top and bottom of the 7th inning). Sing "Take me out to the ballgame." BEER SALES END NOW.

Eighth, by now both teams will probably have changed pitchers.

Ninth, the last inning. If the Nationals are winning after the Braves bat in the top of the ninth, the Nationals won't bat in the bottom half (since there is no need for them to do so).

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The end of the regular season is the end of September, and Washington has a very small (3.8% chance, according to today's WaPo) of making into the playoffs.

To do this, they have to get the second of two "wild card" spots. (After the 3 division winners in the standings, the two teams with the next-best win/loss records on the season.) Their competitor for this "wild card" slot is the Cincinnati Reds. Right now the Cincinnati Reds are 4.5 games ahead of the Nats for this spot, with 12 games left to play in the season. Which means if the Nationals win all 12 of their remaining games, the Reds have to lose 5 of their remaining games for the Nationals to get the spot. A long shot, and complicated if you're unfamiliar with the game, but it's exciting. (This is called a "pennant race"--the team that wins the entire National League after the playoffs is referred to as winning the "pennant," and they get to go to the World Series to play against the American League pennant winner.)

The Nationals beat the Braves (our division leader) twice yesterday in a doubleheader (which is two games in one day). If we beat them again tonight it will be a "sweep" of the 3-game series. After the Braves leave town, we play mostly the Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida Marlins for the rest of the season. Both of those teams are pretty bad, and most of the teams the Reds play for the rest of the season are pretty good, which makes our chance of catching them for the wild card spot a little more exciting.

Actually, we finish the season in Arizona against the Diamondbacks.

[Anonymous]

The Prisidents race -you must know about the curse of Teddy winning........It all changed that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Prisidents race -you must know about the curse of Teddy winning........It all changed that day.

By this, pp means that after Teddy won the President's Race for the first time ever, the Nats collapsed in the playoffs and underperformed this year.

http://blog.letteddywin.com/presidents-race-facts/

Curses are a big deal in baseball. There's a reason the Chicago Cubs haven't won a world series in 105 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_the_Billy_Goat

[Anonymous]

Fourth, the lead-off (first) batter for the Nationals is Denard Span. He has a 28-game hitting streak (meaning he's hit safely at least once in the last 28 consecutive games), which is the longest active streak in Major League Baseball. So, expect a lot of extra cheering when he is at bat, especially if he hits safely and gets on base.

Thanks. Forgot to notice if he hit in both games yesterday.

OP, the all-time longest hitting streak was 56 games by Joe DiMaggio of the NY Yankees in 1941. Some people think that's the most unbreakable record in baseball. (Other candidates are Ted Williams' hitting .400 for the season, or Cal Ripken's playing in 2,632 consecutive games (breaking Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,131). Hank Aaron's career record of 755 home runs was broken only with the aid of steroids, by Barry Bonds.)

The last 40+ hitting streak (I think) was 44 games by Pete Rose in 1978. If Span gets over 30 games, things are going to get exciting and people will be paying a lot more attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The end of the regular season is the end of September, and Washington has a very small (3.8% chance, according to today's WaPo) of making into the playoffs.

To do this, they have to get the second of two "wild card" spots. (After the 3 division winners in the standings, the two teams with the next-best win/loss records on the season.) Their competitor for this "wild card" slot is the Cincinnati Reds. Right now the Cincinnati Reds are 4.5 games ahead of the Nats for this spot, with 12 games left to play in the season. Which means if the Nationals win all 12 of their remaining games, the Reds have to lose 5 of their remaining games for the Nationals to get the spot. A long shot, and complicated if you're unfamiliar with the game, but it's exciting. (This is called a "pennant race"--the team that wins the entire National League after the playoffs is referred to as winning the "pennant," and they get to go to the World Series to play against the American League pennant winner.)

The Nationals beat the Braves (our division leader) twice yesterday in a doubleheader (which is two games in one day). If we beat them again tonight it will be a "sweep" of the 3-game series. After the Braves leave town, we play mostly the Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida Marlins for the rest of the season. Both of those teams are pretty bad, and most of the teams the Reds play for the rest of the season are pretty good, which makes our chance of catching them for the wild card spot a little more exciting.



Actually, we finish the season in Arizona against the Diamondbacks.

Oops, right, and the St. Louis Cardinals are also not slouching (leading the central division). Guess we better beat up on the Marlins this weekend while we can.

[Anonymous]

I started this thread, and I wanted to say "thanks" to all that posted (helpful) responses. (Not the guy that just said go read the sports section).

I appreciate all the input and details about the players, and the likelihood of playoffs, and what to look for, and what to expect and when.

I think I will have a good time tonight. Much more now than if I didn't know these things.
That's exciting that they won both games of the doubleheader yesterday, let's hope for a sweep tonight!

Go Nats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help! I'm going to a Washington Nationals Baseball game tonight with co-workers and I don't know a thing about a) the team, b) the game (other than what you pick up growing up in America), c) the players, d) I don't even know what else I'm supposed to know!

I hope some sports fans are reading this now and are willing to share some insight as to what I should know for the game tonight so that I can a) enjoy it, and b) not look like a complete idiot in front of co-workers who probably know more about the game & sport than I do.

Anything you can share would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Where to begin?

First, stand for the national anthem. Put your hand over your heart and look to the flag. You don't have to sing, but doing these things will help you fit in.

Second, the away team (Atlanta) bats first. The Nationals come up to bat. The Nationals have had a disappointing season but have really come on strong in the last month and are chasing a spot in the playoffs. The odds of getting to the playoffs are pretty small, but they do have a chance. And given the way they're playing (they won -- "swept" -- both games of the double header yesterday and have won something like 19 of their last 20 games), there is a LOT of excitement. Expect a big crowd.

Third, to that end, if you hear random cheers, check the other scores on the board in the outfield. People are watching to see if the Cincinnati Reds lose, since a combination of a Nationals victory and a Reds loss increases the chances that the Nationals make the playoffs (instead of the Reds).

Fourth, the lead-off (first) batter for the Nationals is Denard Span. He has a 28-game hitting streak (meaning he's hit safely at least once in the last 28 consecutive games), which is the longest active streak in Major League Baseball. So, expect a lot of extra cheering when he is at bat, especially if he hits safely and gets on base.

Fifth, the most popular players are probably Bryce Harper (who is all of 20 years old), Jayson Werth, and Ryan Zimmerman. Harber and Werth play in the outfield. Zimmerman plays third base.

Sixth, the famous "president's race" happens between the top of the fourth inning (when the Braves bat) and the bottom of the fourth inning (when the Nationals bat). There's usually silly intro played on the big screen and then five giant foam presidents (Lincoln, Taft, Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt) enter the stadium and race down the first base line. Traditionally, Teddy never wins, but he had his first victory a year ago when the Nationals won the NL East division (and made the playoffs).

Seventh, stand for the seventh inning stretch (between the top and bottom of the 7th inning). Sing "Take me out to the ballgame." BEER SALES END NOW.

Eighth, by now both teams will probably have changed pitchers.

Ninth, the last inning. If the Nationals are winning after the Braves bat in the top of the ninth, the Nationals won't bat in the bottom half (since there is no need for them to do so).

Hope this helps.

Good round up! I will add that at some point you are supposed to wave your Nats cap, if you have one, and they thank servicemen and women and you should stand for that. Last night there was a moment of silence for the Navy Yard victims but don't know if they will do that again.

Look at the signage around the "rim" midway across the stadium--it will challenge everyone to "Make Some Noise."

Typically, everyone stands while the last opposing batter in batting--this is frequently nail-biting time.

Otherwise, clap and cheer when everyone else does! Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Thank god this isn't someone asking what to wear to a baseball game. Honestly I'm starting to think it's a miracle any of us ever leave our houses.

[Anonymous]

If they are losing toward the end of the game, you will see some people with their caps on backwards or inside out. This is "rally cap"-- a superstition designed to help bring better luck around.

Here's another tip! You can bring in one unopened bottle of water, so buy it off a guy on the street outside the stadium, otherwise you will pay $4.50 for it. Same with the peanuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they are losing toward the end of the game, you will see some people with their caps on backwards or inside out. This is "rally cap"-- a superstition designed to help bring better luck around.

Here's another tip! You can bring in one unopened bottle of water, so buy it off a guy on the street outside the stadium, otherwise you will pay $4.50 for it. Same with the peanuts.

And don't forget the $2 hot dogs sold outside of the stadium! Tasty!