Washington Nationals: Talking postseason with Casey Stern of TBS

Yesterday, we talked with MLB on TBS pre and postgame studio host Casey Stern about the Washington Nationals playoff chances

The excitement continues to build around the Washington Nationals as their NLDS matchup with the Cubs gets closer. In anticipation of this series, we had the privilege to talk to a special guest yesterday who will be a part of TBS’s exclusive coverage of the National League playoffs.

Our guest was MLB on TBS studio host Casey Stern, who is hosting the pregame and postgame shows each day for TBS with analysts Pedro Martinez, Gary Sheffield, and Jimmy Rollins. My first question to Stern was around the excitement of this matchup and why he thinks the Nationals will win the World Series:

“It’s the way Stephen Strasburg has been pitching,” replied Stern. “This is a guy who is on a mission. In the second half, he was clearly the best pitcher in the National League. I’ve never seen him pitch consistently this well. Talking to people around that club, I think everyone has the same approach. This is the best he’s ever looked on a consistent basis.”

With Max Scherzer dealing with the hamstring injury, all signs keep pointing to Strasburg pitching Game 1. So, I asked Stern what should be the plan for Scherzer and how he would use him in the NLDS if he were Dusty Baker.

“All of this depends on how healthy he is. You don’t want to bring him back too soon because then he could be gone for the postseason. I would honestly back him up and continuously back him up if they win. If you win Game 1, honestly, you should pitch Gio in Game 2. Max Scherzer pitching in this series is most likely a necessity to win it.”

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Stern also said that he thought Jake Arrieta, who is also dealing with a hamstring injury and could pitch in Game 3 Monday, is the most important Cub in this series.

Now, on MLB Network Radio Monday afternoon, Stern ranked the Nats as having the best lineup of any team in the postseason. So, what stands out to Stern about the Nats batting order:

“The balance. I never have seen a left-right lineup like this. Off the bench, they have versatility. I don’t remember in a long, long time seeing the kind of balance that Dusty has to work with in game and late in games in that lineup. I think they are going to be a nightmare for opposing bullpens down the stretch.”

In that lineup, one player that has struggled against the Cubs is Ryan Zimmerman who has eight hits against Chicago in the last two years. While Stern doesn’t think his success is critical to this series, he did talk about if those numbers will play a factor:

“I think he’s important. He’s a very even-keeled guy. I just don’t think that stuff matters unless the confidence is going to be shaken from either the hitter or the pitcher. I’m not worried about it.”

Of course, one of the big storylines in this series is how Joe Maddon will pitch to Bryce Harper after all the walks Harper had last year. So, how will the Cubs pitch Harper in the NLDS? Here’s Stern’s take:

“I think he will pitch to Bryce at the beginning of the series like he’s Bryce. I think he will be careful. However, Joe and his staff will absolutely be paying attention to the way Bryce looks. In Game 1, you will see Bryce pitch to like he’s on the top of the game.”

My last question to Stern was about Dusty Baker and how he enters this series without a contract extension. Stern had some emphatic words about that situation.

“The fact this man hasn’t been offered a contract is an embarrassment. He’s come over and won two divisions. Everyone puts everything on Dusty, where else are you going to go? It certainly bothers me. If he wants to continue to manage, he will get an opportunity elsewhere if the Nats don’t want him.”

Also, we talked about what kind of impact this series has on Baker’s legacy:

“One thing I’ve talked with Dusty about the last couple of weeks is that I find it very fascinating in a coming of age, full circle of his career that it looks like he will have to beat the Cubs and Dodgers to get to the World Series,” said Stern. “I do find it kind of poignant that we are getting to a point where Dusty has to go thru a this is your life kind of postseason to get to the World Series.”

In the full interview below, you will hear Stern talk about Jose Quintana, who has the edge in the bullpen, and much more.

Remember you can watch the first two games of this series on TBS on Friday night (7:30 p.m) and Saturday (5:30 p.m) with the pregame show taking place a half hour before Friday’s first pitch and a full hour before Game 2 on Saturday. Ernie Johnson and Ron Darling will be on the call for this series along with reporter Sam Ryan.

Next: Cubs-Nats Tale of the Tape

Our thanks again to Casey Stern for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk Washington Nationals baseball.