Like an Ice Pick to the Ribs
"The law of these lands dictate that you may partake in our fine ales. Will you, good sir?"
"My dear kinsman, that is an inquiry more suited to a madcap fool."
Well, that series happened. The Nationals, fresh off a sweep of the Red Sox last weekend, rolled into town with their collection of uber talented top draft picks from the past decade and proceeded to kick Blue Jay ass. Thoroughly and completely. Every square inch of ass.
Except Jose Bautista. He did okay.
They also managed to injure Brandon Morrow's oblique muscle and make Kyle Drabek's elbow pop in a way it shouldn't pop. And at one point after what felt like the 100th National homer off Henderson Alvarez, they sent Toronto baseball fans into the doldrums. A June swoon, indeed.
Morrow's injury (which has now landed him on the 15-day DL) is vastly more concerning than Drabek's. I think Drabek is a very talented pitcher, and glimpses of what he could be were evident in his first inning of work today. But he is a drag to watch pitch right now. After what feels like endless 0-2 to 3-2 counts, I want to smack Kyle and tell him to throw strikes. I admire Bruce Walton's restraint.
However, I'm pretty sure some kid in the minors could do more or less what Drabek is currently doing. I know (or in my low moments, just pray) that Drabek is going to pull it together, but the growing pains are harshing my mellow.
By contrast, Morrow, minus that unfortunate weekend in Arlington, has been pitching like Roy Halladay with a brown beard. Obliques can be touchy things. Being in ridiculous shape can actually make one more prone to them because no matter the size or strength of the muscles, they still depend on whatever bony structure the person was born with. Ricky Romero injured his sneezing a few seasons ago. They can be slow to heal. And hurt. A lot.
Former MLB pitcher Jeff Tam makes oblique strains sound super fun:
“It felt like somebody stuck a knife in my ribs, literally like an ice pick. Just a sharp, sharp pain,” Tam said. “If you’re just extra tired that day or maybe there was a slight strain that you didn’t feel or know about, it’s just that one pitch or one swing and it will drop you to your knees. If you have to cough or anything, it is excruciating, just sharp pain.”
Ice pick to the ribs. Kind of like the past week in the land of Jays.
Bryce Harper, with the blue eyes and the multiple tools on full display, came and put on a show. The kid is very talented and very fun. Between this guy and Mike Trout, the babies of the big leagues are dazzling. My favourite parts of Harper's show were running on Jose Bautista's arm and getting struck out by Francisco Cordero. But he's got the goods to back up whatever swagger.
Stephen Strasburg, strutting around like he is some kind of fancy man with his well-muscled calves in high socks and his multiple pitches for strikes, was also more or less as advertised. He was kind enough to give Jose Bautista a pitch up and in that Bautista could destroy and allow the Blue Jays a shred of dignity.
Pretty nifty toys you have, Washington.
This would be considerably cooler if you were still in Montreal.
Les Expos sont là.