Opposite dugout: Stanton making MVP case during Marlins' wild card push

Opposite dugout: Stanton making MVP case during Marlins' wild card push
Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season) Record: 66-63 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (.296/.389/.670 with 50 HR, 108 RBIs), LF Marcell Ozuna (.309/.377/.556 with 31 HR, 102 RBIs), 2B Dee Gordon (.292 with 46 stolen bases), RHP José Ureña (12-5, 3.68 ERA), RHP Brad Ziegler (4.61 ERA, 9 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-7 Pitching probables: Aug. 28: RHP José Ureña vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 29: RHP Vance Worley vs. RHP Edwin Jackson, 7:05 p.m.,...
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Opposite dugout: Red Sox looking to stay hot in August

Opposite dugout: Red Sox looking to stay hot in August
Manager: John Farrell (5th season) Record: 73-54 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: RF Mookie Betts (.263/.339/.441 with 18 HR, 77 RBIs), SS Xander Bogaerts (.281/.341/.408 with 47 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.278/.356/.445 with 18 HR, 71 RBIs), LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 4.01 ERA), RHP Craig Kimbrel (1.33 ERA, 29 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 6-7 Pitching probables: Aug. 25: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Rick Porcello, 7:10 p.m., MASN Aug. 26: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez,...
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Manny Machado named American League Player of the Week

Manny Machado named American League Player of the Week
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending August 20th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network. Machado batted .385 (10-for-26) with four runs scored, a double, four home runs and 12 RBI over six games played to earn his third career AL Player of the Week Award, last winning on June 15, 2015. Among his AL counterparts, Manny finished his strong week first in RBI; tied for first in home runs; second...
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Tim Beckham named American League Player of the Week

Tim Beckham named American League Player of the Week
After a stellar debut with the team, Baltimore Orioles infielder Tim Beckham has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending August 6th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network. Beckham posted a slash line of .583/.600/1.167 with six runs scored, three doubles, a triple, three home runs and six RBI over six games played to earn his first career AL Player of the Week Award. Among AL leaders, Tim finished the period first in batting average, on-base...
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Opposite dugout: Cubs gaining momentum to start possible playoff preview with Nats

Opposite dugout: Cubs gaining momentum to start possible playoff preview with Nats
Manager: Joe Maddon (3rd season) Record: 57-50 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Kris Bryant (.274/.388/.511 with 20 HR, 47 RBIs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.263/.392/.523 with 26 HR, 70 RBIs), C Wilson Contreras (.276/.347/.508 with 18 HR, 65 RBIs), RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-3, 3.80 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (2.43 ERA, 22 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 4: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Kyle Kendricks, 2:20 p.m., MASN Aug. 5: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP John Lackey, 2:20 p.m., MASN...
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Jonathan Schoop named American League Player of the Week

Jonathan Schoop named American League Player of the Week
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending July 23rd. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network. Schoop batted .433 (13-for-30) with eight runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI over seven games played to earn his first career AL Player of the Week Award. Among AL leaders, Jonathan finished the period first in RBI; tied for first in hits, home runs and total bases (24); second in runs...
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Orioles announce 10,000th home run contest presented by WGL Energy

Orioles announce 10,000th home run contest presented by WGL Energy
As the Orioles approach an important home run milestone, the club is encouraging fans to predict who will hit the 10,000th regular season home run in Orioles history (since 1954) for a chance to win unique prizes. To date, the Orioles have hit 9,976 regular season home runs in club history, just 24 homers shy of the milestone. To enter the contest, fans should guess the player who will hit the 10,000th regular season home run in team history, as well as the inning and the number of men on base...
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District 34 podcast: Nats make blockbuster trade to bolster bullpen

District 34 podcast: Nats make blockbuster trade to bolster bullpen
It was always a matter of when not if the Nationals would make a trade to bolster their bullpen, and it finally happened over the weekend. Byron Kerr and I are back to break down the acquisition of right-hander Ryan Madson and left-hander Sean Doolittle from the A's and the ripple effect on the Nats bullpen on a new episode of the District 34 podcast. Madson and Doolittle both made their Nationals debuts in a 4-3 win over the Angels Tuesday night, with the righty putting together a shutdown...
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Opposite dugout: Angels hope Trout's return is catalyst in wild card race

Opposite dugout: Angels hope Trout's return is catalyst in wild card race
Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 46-49 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.337/.457/.714 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.291 with 39 RBIs), DH Albert Pujols (14 HR, 56 RBIs), RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82 ERA), RHP Bud Norris (2.35 ERA, 14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 18: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Jesse Chavez, 10:07 p.m., MASN2 July 19: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco, 10:07 p.m.,...
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Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon named National League Player of the Week

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon named National League Player of the Week
After opening the second half of the season going 7-for-11 (.636) with a double, three homers, three walks and four runs scored, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. Rendon hit safely in all three games following the All-Star break and moreover, he reached base safely in 10 of his 14 plate appearances from Friday through Sunday. On July 15 at Cincinnati, Rendon went 3-for-3...
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Nationals select contract of right-hander Jacob Turner

Nationals select contract of right-hander Jacob Turner
The Washington Nationals selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday and transferred right-handed pitcher Koda Glover to the 60-day disabled list. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Turner, 26, returns to the Nationals for his second Major League assignment of the season. He went 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA in 18 games (two starts) during his first stint with Washington. He reported to Triple-A...
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Nationals recall right-handers Austin Adams and Trevor Gott

Nationals recall right-handers Austin Adams and Trevor Gott
The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitchers Austin Adams and Trevor Gott from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, optioned left-handed pitcher Sammy Solis to Syracuse, and placed right-handed pitcher Joe Ross on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to July 11) with a right elbow sprain. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Adams, 26, joins the Nationals for the first Major League assignment of his career. In his first season in...
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Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer named National League Pitcher of the Month

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer named National League Pitcher of the Month
After leading Major League Baseball with a miniscule 0.99 ERA across five starts in the month of June, Nationals right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer was named National League Pitcher of the Month - his third such honor as a member of the Washington Nationals. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. Scherzer allowed just four earned runs in 36.1 innings pitched during the month. He posted an 8.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio (51 SO/6 BB) and struck out 12.63 batters per nine...
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Five Nationals named to NL All-Star team

Five Nationals named to NL All-Star team
Five Washington Nationals players were named 2017 Major League All-Stars on Sunday evening, with outfielder Bryce Harper, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, second baseman Daniel Murphy, right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer, and right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg all awarded the annual mid-season honor. Harper, Murphy, and Zimmerman were all voted by fans as starters for the NL squad, the most starting players Washington has ever had in the game. Scherzer was selected by his fellow players while...
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Send Anthony Rendon to All-Star Game in Final Vote

Send Anthony Rendon to All-Star Game in Final Vote
Entering Sunday before the 2017 All-Star teams were announced, Anthony Rendon was batting .298 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs, already the most he's had for the first half of a season in his career. His .399 on-base percentage, .555 slugging percentage and .954 OPS led all qualifying National League third baseman. And his 3.4 WAR currently ranks first among all major league third basemen, third overall in the league and fifth in all of baseball. Oh, and have you seen what he can do with his...
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Opposite dugout: Mets looking to change fortune against Nats before break

Opposite dugout: Mets looking to change fortune against Nats before break
Manager: Terry Collins (7th season) Record: 38-43 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Jay Bruce (.261 with 20 HR, 55 RBIs), LF Yoenis Céspedes (.281/.347/.541 with 9 HR, 19 RBIs), 1B Lucas Duda (14 HR, 30 RBIs), RHP Jacob deGrom (8-3, 3.55 ERA, 125 strikeouts), RHP Addison Reed (2.59 ERA, 14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-7 Pitching probables: July 3: LHP Steven Matz vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 6:05 p.m., MASN2 July 4: RHP Seth Lugo vs. RHP Joe Ross, 11:05 a.m., MASN July 5: RHP Jacob...
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Nationals reinstate left-hander Sammy Solís

Nationals reinstate left-hander Sammy Solís
The Washington Nationals returned from rehab assignment and reinstated left-handed pitcher Sammy Solís from the 10-day disabled list on Saturday and designated right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Solis, 28, returns to the Nationals' bullpen after missing 65 games with left elbow inflammation. The left-handed reliever made seven appearances on rehab assignment with Triple-A...
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Opposite dugout: Early-season success a distant memory for last-place Reds

Opposite dugout: Early-season success a distant memory for last-place Reds
Manager: Bryan Price (4th season) Record: 30-41 Last 10 games: 1-9 Who to watch: 1B Joey Votto (.306/.419/.601 with 20 HR, 53 RBIs), LF Adam Duvall (.277 with 16 HR, 48 RBIs), RF Scott Schebler (20 HR, 39 RBIs), RHP Scott Feldman (5-5, 4.20 ERA), RHP Raisel Iglesias (1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2016) Pitching probables: June 23: RHP Luis Castillo vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 24: RHP Homer Bailey vs. RHP Joe Ross, 4:05...
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District 34 podcast: Nats falter in Miami and Gonzalez's All-Star case

District 34 podcast: Nats falter in Miami and Gonzalez's All-Star case
After 20 games in 20 straight days, the Nationals are finally enjoying a well-deserved off-day today at home. Before starting a 17-day stretch of games leading up the All-Star break, the Nats are happy to be in the comfort of their own homes in D.C. after going 4-3 on their latest road trip. And what an interesting road trip that was for Byron Kerr and I to discuss on this episode of the District 34 podcast. After taking three of four from the Mets in New York, the Nationals flew down to Miami...
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Nationals agree to terms with 25 players from 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft

Nationals agree to terms with 25 players from 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft
The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 25 members of their 2017 First-Year Player Draft class. Nationals President of Baseball Operations & General Manager Mike Rizzo and Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Scouting Operations Kris Kline made the joint announcement. An updated list of players is below. Signed players are in bold.
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