After Move, a Breaking In Process – The Post
The Nationals have not made a big splash in free agency like some teams do when they move into new ballparks. We all know Stan Kasten doesn’t do things that way. They also don’t know how the park is going to play.
The Nats did acquire Lastings Milledge, Wily Mo Pena (last year) and Elijah Dukes though, so there are two new faces and one relatively new face; the club has made some effort to get the offense moving.
Milledge’s post central to his plate production – The Free Lance-Star
Speaking of Milledge, in his brief career he is a much better hitter (.340) when playing centerfield.
When he has played elsewhere (the corner outfield positions or batted as a pinch-hitter), Milledge’s average is .242. That’s an increase of 98 average points, for all you math majors, resulting from a seemingly inconsequential switch on defense. It’s uncanny.
Indeed.
Starting lineup remains in limbo – The Wash. Times
There are still several uncertainties about the Opening Night lineup.
Acta Has No Worries About His Bullpen – The Post
The bullpen will likely include righties Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch, Luis Ayala, Saúl Rivera, Jesús Colome and Joel Hanrahan. Ray King will be the only lefty in the pen.
THOMAS BOSWELL – Sometimes, Nothing Fits Better Than an Old Shoe – The Post
Unlike Acta, Bos is concerned that Nationals Park will hurt the team’s strength — the bullpen, though he doesn’t think it will be Chad Cordero who will have the most problems. I think most of the pitchers will see increases in their ERA, but hopefully that will be offset by the increased offensive production.
Don’t worry, he will be singing the praises of the park and how it will help the Nats on Monday morning.
Pérez to Bring ‘Attitude’ to 1st Start – The Post
Perez feels sharp for opener – The Free Lance-Star
Newcomer Odalis Perez will be the Opening Night starter. He has more starts than the rest of the rotation combined.
Opening Day Traditions: 11th-Hour Construction, Lots of Traffic, Long Lines – The Post
Getting a new stadium finished at the last minute is a long-standing Washington tradition, as are concerns about how to get there for the opener. Nationals Park may be “ahead of schedule” compared to earlier venues.
Monumental Achievement: Designing Nationals Park – Free Ride, Express
HOK starting designing what has become Nationals Park before the Expos even moved here.
Straining in the Stadium’s Shadow – The Post
The higher property taxes around the ballpark are threatening to push out youth agency Positive Nature Inc. and other small businesses. The CityPaper focused on this a few weeks ago.
BASEBALL ’08 – The Post
Lots of links to PDFs. Come on Post, I’ve been scolding newspapers about using PDFs online for years.
Barry Svrluga is chatting at 1 p.m. today on washingtonpost.com.
Mark Zucmerman of The Wash. Times is taking questions for his 1 p.m. Q&A as well.