Bryce Harper...

[pellegrino]

He took the first pitch way deep but just foul. I thought to myself if Cloyd goes inside again he's going to straighten that out. And the next pitch he did. I hope he gets a few more steals before the end of the year. 20-20 under the age of 20 would be cool.

he might, but probably won't before next Wednesday. I just looked at his stats and it looks like he's averaging one stolen base for every 11 times he gets on base. He will either have to be more aggressive and attempt more steals or he'll have to get on base twice more per game.

[UtahDan]

Nats clinch!!!! Nats clinch!!!!!!

[DrumNFeather]

Nats clinch!!!! Nats clinch!!!!!!

[Surfah]

Harper capped off a pretty nice month. I think the ROY is his. He hit .330 for the month of September with 7 HR, 26 runs scored and an OPS over 1.00. He raised his BA 20 points to be at a very respectable .270. Decent numbers, but put in context they are impressive. He's a teenager in the middle of a pennant race with lots of pressure to perform. I can't wait to see what this kid does this post season. He seems to turn it up when the bright lights are on.

[UtahDan]

Harper capped off a pretty nice month. I think the ROY is his. He hit .330 for the month of September with 7 HR, 26 runs scored and an OPS over 1.00. He raised his BA 20 points to be at a very respectable .270. Decent numbers, but put in context they are impressive. He's a teenager in the middle of a pennant race with lots of pressure to perform. I can't wait to see what this kid does this post season. He seems to turn it up when the bright lights are on.

I hope so. I am very relieved to have won the division, though I'm not very excited at the prospect of playing Atlanta or St. Louis. Also, no one seems to be talking about much (so maybe it doesn't matter, what do I know) but I think it is really important for this team to get homefield over the Reds, particularly with young guys and lots of guys who have never been there before. The truth is that the Nats have not looked all the good over the last few weeks with several pitchers giving up huge numbers in the first couple innings (I read that Edwin Jackson's first inning ERA is north of 7. Yeesh) and sort of like last night the bats falling silent. I'm definitely excited for the playoffs, but I would rather be hot right now like the Braves seem to be.

[DrumNFeather]

I hope so. I am very relieved to have won the division, though I'm not very excited at the prospect of playing Atlanta or St. Louis. Also, no one seems to be talking about much (so maybe it doesn't matter, what do I know) but I think it is really important for this team to get homefield over the Reds, particularly with young guys and lots of guys who have never been there before. The truth is that the Nats have not looked all the good over the last few weeks with several pitchers giving up huge numbers in the first couple innings (I read that Edwin Jackson's first inning ERA is north of 7. Yeesh) and sort of like last night the bats falling silent. I'm definitely excited for the playoffs, but I would rather be hot right now like the Braves seem to be.

Part of this is probably Davey trying to get everything set up for the playoffs...getting the rotation set, guys rested etc. Being able to back into the NL East crown was a nice luxury, but you're right, it has resulted in some less than stellar results on the field.

[myboynoah]

I hope so. I am very relieved to have won the division, though I'm not very excited at the prospect of playing Atlanta or St. Louis. Also, no one seems to be talking about much (so maybe it doesn't matter, what do I know) but I think it is really important for this team to get homefield over the Reds, particularly with young guys and lots of guys who have never been there before. The truth is that the Nats have not looked all the good over the last few weeks with several pitchers giving up huge numbers in the first couple innings (I read that Edwin Jackson's first inning ERA is north of 7. Yeesh) and sort of like last night the bats falling silent. I'm definitely excited for the playoffs, but I would rather be hot right now like the Braves seem to be.

Part of this is probably Davey trying to get everything set up for the playoffs...getting the rotation set, guys rested etc. Being able to back into the NL East crown was a nice luxury, but you're right, it has resulted in some less than stellar results on the field.

LOL at traditional Nat Fan pessimism about the post season.

[pellegrino]

LOL at traditional Nat Fan pessimism about the post season.

pshaw, they've got nothing on the cubs.

[UtahDan]

LOL at traditional Nat Fan pessimism about the post season.

Hey, it's uncharted territory!

[Surfah]

Bryce got the day off but was inserted in the 8th to pinch run for Zimmerman. I wonder if it wasn't an effort to try and pick up the 2 SBs he needed for 20-20. The announcers certainly thought so. He had the green light and was taking off on every pitch. Pap was trying to hold him on the bag and threw over numerous times. Unfortunately Morse kept fouling everything off and then went yard.

[Hypoplastic]

How early would you take Harper in a fantasy league draft next year? Would you take him over a guy like Evan Longoria?

[pellegrino]

How early would you take Harper in a fantasy league draft next year? Would you take him over a guy like Evan Longoria?

I'm always cautious of second year players.

[SoCalCoug]

I'm always cautious of second year players.

Mike Trout being an exception.

[pellegrino]

Mike Trout being an exception.

anyone can be an exception, but exceptions means it's not normal. Harper likely will be just fine next year, mainly because he's on a really good team that he doesn't have to carry, there's no pressure to perform.

[Hypoplastic]

Mike Trout being an exception.

I had Trout on my roster at the end of last year and didn't keep him. I planned to take him fairly early in the draft, but I missed him by about 5 picks. I'm still kicking myself. I have the 2nd overall pick in this year's draft (keeper league). By rule, Kemp, Longoria and Pedroia are going back into the pool (as well as a couple guys that no one would think about drafting early anymore). After that, no one knows who is going back in the pool until the keeper picks are made. Harper likely won't be kept by the guy who has him. I might get a crack at him in the second round, but I doubt he's still on the board when it comes back to me (snaking starts at the end of the second round). I'd almost rather roll the dice on a young up and comer than a vet with an injury history.