It may just be recency bias since I see the Nats (my 3rd favorite team) more often live than the Reds (#1 team) but I increasingly see some odd similarities. Kind of like that Lincoln/Kennedy trivia list if you know it.
Take today and a couple of other random factoids. I was at Opening Day here in DC and then caught most of the extended Reds game on MLB afterward.
1. Both teams set attendance records for a regular season game. For the Nats, was the 2nd biggest crowd follwing last year's Game 5 Division Series implosion versus the Cards.
2. Both have a nifty, shiny new centerfielder who showed he can get on base. Choo for us. Span here in DC, who got a hit and generally presented himself well. Span's the better player defensively but won't surprise me at all to see Choo do much better with the bat.
3. We solved a Stubbs problem by getting rid of Stubbs but may have another Stubbs problem in Heisey. Nats moved an outfielder (which created a problem/Michael Morse) and didn't clearly upgrade all in with Span but we'll see.
4. Both teams were great on the mound today. Can't wait for Cueto v. Strasburg on Sunday! Bullpens both very solid (Soriano was a huge relief closing in DC today). I can't pin too much blame on JJ. Eventually, any pitching staff will crack when the offense simply can't generate any offense.
5. Both teams have uncertain plans at catcher though the Nats are maybe a bit more stable with two solid ones sharing time (Suzuki/Ramos).
6. Both teams dominated their divisions last year. We loved being present for both clinching in DC and in CIN.
7. Both imploded in the 2012 Division Series and I'd argue it's an almost impossible debate which implosion was worse. Personally, I go with the Reds because that one hurt more even though I was at Nats Park when Storen gave up the 2 run lead in Game 5 and, with it, the chance to advance to the LCS. The Nats and Reds were supposed to face each other in the LCS last year but neither took care of business to make that happen.
8. Today's Luddy disaster reminded me a bit of similar disasters with Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth last year. It still worked out okay for the Nats though. I'm sure the Reds will work through the Luddy DL time more or less successfully.
9. Back to today for a final one. Both teams sucked at the plate. One big factor explaining the difference between the two outcomes is we didn't have anyone step up like Harper did. Might argue Choo did. He surely did his job but didn't generate enough runs by himself like Harper did with his two dingers. Biggest difference though was the challenge. Angels are formidable. Marlins...not so much.
That's all that comes to mind for now. Do some of these comparisons make sense?
Heading out to the motherland for 2 of the 3 games this weekend at GABP and then down to Louisville to see Mr. Hamilton for the first time. Really looking forward to it. Very excited about this season!