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So, OK, we are within a slam, but also, we have guys who are still champing at the bit to be the instant hero who ties the game or puts us in the lead with one swing. But again, we are closer. That's something.

The Dombrowski winners were all stars-and-scrubs teams, to your point. But also as you imply, we are a long way from having anything like nine average big league players.

Also in all fairness, this issue is at hand for the Nationals right now and not the Tigers.

Englert in. Interesting. He threw 21 pitches on Friday. I would have thought only Cisnero and Alexander since they were the only two bullpen guys who hadn't pitched yet this series.

Bases loaded, no out, no score. Jumpin' Jeebus.

One thing keeping me tuned in is remembering that these are the Washington Nationals, so on a list of all the teams that could choke up a five-run lead to lose a game, the ex-Expos is near the top of it.

What should he have done instead?

lol twelve hits given up in the first three innings? Not sure when I last saw that.

Welp, Wentz couldn't get us out of the third. It will be up to Cisnero to work a bunch of innings. He hasn't thrown more than 31 pitches in an outing this decade. But he's probably going to throw more than that today.

TORK! gets the run-scoring single after the very deflating GIDP by Riley. As a consolation prize, you could do worse.

Looks like it's going to be Joey Wentz, Jose Cisnero, and maybe Tyler Alexander today.

Joey Wentz, second inning, first pitch, home run.

And now Baddoo with the walk. These may not be good or talented hitters in the big picture, but at least we're learning that they're able to make the most of the slight gifts they do have, which should make them fun to watch sometimes.

Maton continuing to do the work laying off secondary pitches and getting on base any way possible.

What a spectacular play by Javy, diving for an almost single juuuust missing turning it into a 6-3 double play.

Joey Wentz, nine pitches, three hits, one run. Yikes! EDIT: Joey Wentz, ten pitches, four hits, two runs. Yikes!!

Ray Oyler was not that bad.

Another 103mph scorcher from TORK!, another out. Sigh.

Here is a tidbit I just learned about Miggy that truly delights me: he will retire as the last major leaguer to have played regular season games in Montreal.

If "greatest" is defined as including military service, I'm inclined to agree.

I believe that was also the routine that launched his career in the first place.

If you’re one of those folks who’s been wondering how the game of baseball is played, Hitchcock’s got you covered.

The average start in the AL, among a mix of veterans and neophytes, is yielding an average of 2.8 runs in 5.3 innings, so, pretty close. As an assessment of Faedo’s outing yesterday, it’s fair to say he was right around the average start—so, not at all awful. The perception of ongoing effectiveness exists in the averages, though. Three runs in five innings is not much worse in an isolated case, but as an ongoing average, it’s definitely subpar.

As long as Schoop hits LHP—he’s 11-for-32 against that—he has enough actual value to keep running him out there, hoping for some return in July. But if he dries up against southpaws, there’s no remaining reason to keep him around.

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