To me its how they refuse to lose. It's like losing is not even in the picture. Every night it's a new guy stepping up and getting that big hit which makes every game new and exciting. Also, the bullpen has been a HUGE suprise because I thought they would be horrible.

 

:dancehead Keep it up boys.

The d has been surprised me with how well they have played and like you said the pen has been great. They just never seem to think that they are out of a game. Never say die haha.

Bullpen for sure. I expected Nu?ez and Calero to do well, but I wasn't sold on guys like Meyer, Penn, and so on. But even those I expected to do well have outperformed my expectations. But I expect all bullpens to struggle just by nature of what they're made of. Still, the performance of our bullpen has made just as much a difference in our sweep of the Nats as did the late-inning hitting, made possible by the opposing bullpen, which is getting reshuffled as a result.

Bullpen. I wasn't trying to be negative but I expected them to be awful this year, honestly. It's too early to tell but I like what I'm seeing so far.

Bullpen for sure.

ITA with Holly, I absolutely LOVE that even if they are down multiple runs in the 9th, THEY seem to believe that it's not over until it's OVER.

The front end of the bullpen and the fact that Uggla is hitting the ball to right field on occasion

The bullpen, for sure.

We knew the offense would be there, just the pitching had to be there to join it.

CLUTH HITTING. Almost gives you a heart attack but worth it.

The bullpen so far.

What has surprised me the most? The fact that they have 11 wins and 1 loss.

The bullpen hands down.

Timing. We have done exactly what we need to do exactly when it should be done.

how hanley cant hit at the moment.

1. Our Record

2. How well our pitching has been

3. Hanley's poor start

At first it was how great Bonifacio WAS playing..... Then he went and fudged that up these last couple games. :thumbdown

 

So at the moment, nothing surprises me about this team. I knew they were gonna rock in '09 since last year. They are a lock for '09 World Series Champion...... Patterns don't lie ('97-'03-'09). :thumbup

Overall pleasant surprise #1 has got to be pitching in general, at least so far. The results speak for themselves. Our bats have stepped up and won us some games but our pitching has kept us in every single one of them. Even in the 4-8 loss our staff only earned 5 runs (the bullpen only earning 1 to Ricky's 4). I knew we had good young starters, and they have been just that, generally speaking. I had no idea what the bullpen was going to be like, so they have to take the cake there.

 

As far as the bats go, it was Bonifacio's hot start that surprised me first, and, in a way, I am still amazed by his current plate appearances (not in the good way). At some point in there I realized Cody hadn't yet done anything, but he's coming on pretty strong now. So now it's Hanley I'm worried about, and a little surprised by. I'd also say I am surprised at the production of Cantu, Baker and Hermida so far. I had faith that they would perform but I am definitely surprised at the level they have been able to achieve and sustain to open the season.

 

Also, I am surprised by the speed and defense of this club, especially in the OF. With Herm, CM, Cody you basically have 3 CF, with two more on the bench (Amezaga and Carroll). The infield D looks improved, but has a long way to go. That DP had to get turned today, and generally they don't instill a lot of faith when you watch them (not like Ryan Zimmerman does :lol E5). Overall in terms of a position, I guess I'm more surprised about the 'pen just because I had no expectations for them in the first place, mostly because I hadn't heard of half of them. :lol But those guys have really been great so far! :thumbup

 

But I think Holly's OP describes what I'm most psyched about today. After having swept the Nats 2x, coming from behind in the last 3, you've got to admire the fight this squad has in it. I think we have good momentum going forward. The guys look like they are getting along, and they have a sense of purpose and pride.

 

Game tying/winning home runs are one thing that does not surprise me about this team because that's what we produced last year. It is just nice to see that we haven't lost the ability to decide games that way, in spite of our improved speed and defense, which should provide more consistency, even through batting droughts (Maybin). Goes to show you what you can do when you have some variety and versatility on your roster.

 

Oh yea, Maybin (Golden Boy )

 

He's been a surprise as well (not in the good way).

I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to be a little bit sad when we actually do lose.

Honestley, I'm not suprised by the bullpen. For some reason, I had a good feeling about our bullpen this year. Maybe it's because we are so good at picking up scrubs and watching them have career years with us. Hermida's fast start doesn't suprises me either. We all knew he had this kind of potential.

 

What suprises me the most is our defense. We are playing very good defense so far. Hopefully, it continues.

Bullpen and our ability to not lose to anyone not named Livan.

I have to agree with you, Holly.

Coming through in the clutch.

Man, this team sends shivers down my spine!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to be a little bit sad when we actually do lose.

 

 

Haha, I know right? We've been spoiled so early. Even if we lose out until the end of the month, we will still be .500 for April.

Definitely the BULLPEN! Im sure most of us didnt expect them to do so well right from the beginning. Im loving the pleasant surprise. What was it, somewhere around just 1 run allowed in 24 innings? That's great! Specially since the season began when you imagine is when they'll start rough. I still don't expect them to be that great but hopefully better than last season.

 

I can't really say their never die spirit has surprised me. You kind of expect it from them, by this point, seeing as how '08 was full of come-from-behind victories. Never get tired of them though, that's for sure! :thumbup

For me, despite the great record, its been how disappointing the starting pitching has been. That was the top source of optimism coming in, and what are we looking at? Number one Nolasco has failed to have even one good start in three tries and is showing no progress. Johnson was outstanding twice before being thrashed last time out. Which Johnson shows up next time? Volstad certainly looked mediocre yesterday. Sanchez has won some games but is surrendering lots of hits and walks. And finally, there is no reason to like the Marlins' chances if Miller takes the mound right now.

 

I'm delighted with the record, delighted that Hermida and Ross are popping the ball, amazed that the bullpen has fared so well ... esp. given the lack of strikeouts ... but the medicority of the starting pitching will send things going in the other direction if it doesn't improve.

JJ was stellar his last start. He made only two mistakes, the pitch to Kearns and walking Olsen. The other things were great pitches that went for bloop hits and ground balls that found holes. Same basic deal with Nolasco, he's still striking out and walking guys at a great rate. You're simply playing the result with those two. Volstad is being really weird, he went from a control, no K GB pitcher to no control, high K FB pitcher lol, and we knew what we were getting out of anibal and andrew coming into the year.