Nationals add Henry Blanco to coaching staff

Nationals add Henry Blanco to coaching staff
The Washington Nationals finalized manager Dave Martinez's coaching staff on Wednesday, adding Henry Blanco as the bullpen coach. Blanco joins bench coach Chip Hale, pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, hitting coach Kevin Long, first base coach Tim Bogar, third base coach Bobby Henley, and assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Blanco, 46, joins the Nationals staff after serving as the Chicago Cubs'...
    
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Taylor's inside-the-park grand slam and Wieters' slam

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Taylor's inside-the-park grand slam and Wieters' slam
We're very thankful for "Nationals Classics" during this time of year. With no baseball being played and the holidays approaching, we've stacked not one, but two "Nationals Classics" from this past year into this week's Throwback Thursday. First up this week is one of the most exciting games we saw in 2017. After falling behind early to the Phillies on Sept. 8, the Nationals put together a furious comeback behind Michael A. Taylor, who had one the best games of his career. The highlight...
    
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OriolesREACH to host eighth annual Birdland Golf Classic in Lakewood Ranch

OriolesREACH to host eighth annual Birdland Golf Classic in Lakewood Ranch
The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club will host eventto benefit the Miracle League of Manasota On Tuesday, February 13, the Orioles will hold the Eighth Annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. to benefit the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for every person to play baseball, regardless of their ability. Registration is now open for golfers and corporate partners. The event begins with...
    
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Kendrick's walk-off grand slam lifts Nats

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Kendrick's walk-off grand slam lifts Nats
The Nationals were busy at the non-waiver trade deadline this season. Even with a double-digit lead in the National League East, general manager Mike Rizzo still needed to make moves to set the team up for the postseason. Obviously, the bullpen needed reinforcements, so Rizzo acquired Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson immediately after the All-Star break, and then also Brandon Kintzler right at the July 31 deadline. But while Nationals fans were clamoring for new relief arms, Rizzo made another...
    
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Who is your all-time favorite National?

Who is your all-time favorite National?
As part of his "10 questions for fans" series, my MASNsports.com colleague Steve Melewski recently asked his readers who is their all-time favorite Oriole, and I thought to myself, "Hey, this would also be a good question to pose to Nationals fans, too!" There is obviously a major historical difference in terms of longevity between the two franchises - the Orioles have called Baltimore home since 1954 and the Nationals have only called Washington, D.C., home since 2005 - but I think that...
    
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Strasburg extends scoreless streak on Clinchmas

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Strasburg extends scoreless streak on Clinchmas
With the conclusion of the World Series, baseball's offseason is officially underway. We know Nationals fans will be craving baseball while waiting 3 1/2 months until pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach in February, so we're bringing back our Throwback Thursday (#TBT) posts and combining them with our "Nationals Classics" series, which will air memorable moments in Nats history on MASN throughout the offseason. Each week, we will have a #TBT moment from the 2017 season to look...
    
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Nationals announce Dusty Baker will not return as manager in 2018

Nationals announce Dusty Baker will not return as manager in 2018
Today, the Washington Nationals announced that Dusty Baker will not return as manager of the club in 2018. The Lerner family, on behalf of the entire organization, would like to thank Baker for his two years in the dugout. He led the team to the first back-to-back division titles in our history and represented our club with class on and off the field. We wish him the best going forward. The contracts for the Major League coaching staff have also expired. The Nationals' search for a new manager...
    
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NLDS game blog: Nats can make D.C. sports history with Game 5 win

NLDS game blog: Nats can make D.C. sports history with Game 5 win
It's Game 5. There are no ifs, ands or buts. It's all hands on deck. Throw all your stat sheets and conventional wisdom out the window. It's your best versus mine. It's win or go home. Do or die. The Nationals and their loyal fan base are no strangers to this dire situation. We all know what's at stake, having now been here in three of Nationals' four playoff appearances. Win and advance to the first National League Championship Series in club history and the first league/conference final...
    
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Relive Nationals' five-run eighth inning in Game 2 comeback victory

Relive Nationals' five-run eighth inning in Game 2 comeback victory
So about last night ... That was an incredible game of baseball between the Nationals and Cubs. From the home runs to the relief pitching to the dramatic comeback, Game 2 of this National League Division Series provided the best of what postseason baseball has to offer. Anthony Rendon started the scoring with a solo home run in the first. Gio Gonzalez gave manager Dusty Baker a solid start. Matt Albers, Sammy Solís, Ryan Madson, Oliver Pérez and Sean Doolittle combined for four shutout...
    
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NLDS game blog: Gonzalez, Nats offense aim to even series in Game 2

NLDS game blog: Gonzalez, Nats offense aim to even series in Game 2
It's a new game on a new day. After the Nationals dropped Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday night, they will look to get even with the Cubs this afternoon on South Capitol Street. While technically not a must-win game, the Nats really can't afford to go to Chicago down 2-0. And so a lot of pressure falls on Gio Gonzalez, who takes the mound today for Game 2. Gonzalez had one of his best seasons with the Nationals this year, going 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA. Though there may be...
    
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NLDS game blog: Stasburg looks to get Nats off to strong start

NLDS game blog: Stasburg looks to get Nats off to strong start
It's finally here. Postseason baseball is back in our nation's capital as the Nationals welcome the defending World Series champion Cubs for the National League Division Series. There's no way to understate the importance of Game 1 in a playoff series, especially in a five-game set. The winner of the series' first game advances 72 percent of the time. And just look at the Nationals' postseason history: Obviously, they have lost all three of their previous playoff series, but they have only...
    
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Opposite dugout: Rays aim to hold off O's and Jays for third place in AL East

Opposite dugout: Rays aim to hold off O's and Jays for third place in AL East
Manager: Kevin Cash (2nd year) Record: 77-82 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Corey Dickerson (.278/.321/.488 with 27 HR, 62 RBIs), 3B Evan Longoria (.260 with 19 HR, 83 RBIs), 1B Logan Morrison (37 HR, 83 RBIs), RF Steven Souza Jr. (30 HR, 78 RBIs), RHP Chris Archer (9-12, 4.18 ERA), RHP Alex Colomé (3.15 ERA with 46 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 8-8 Pitching probables: Sept. 29: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Jake Odorizzi, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 30: RHP Miguel Castro vs. RHP Chris Archer,...
    
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Opposite dugout: Mets to go through changes in offseason

Opposite dugout: Mets to go through changes in offseason
Manager: Terry Collins (7th year) Record: 65-97 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: SS Asdrúbal Cabrera (.276 with 52 RBIs, 31 doubles), 3B Wilmer Flores (.271 with 18 HR, 52 RBIs), OF Brandon Nimmo (.268), RHP Jacob deGrom (15-9 with 3.55 ERA), LHP Jerry Blevins (3.04 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-11 Pitching probables: Sept. 22: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Robert Gsellman, 7:10 p.m., MASN Sept. 23: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Matt Harvey, 7:10 p.m., MASN Sept. 24: RHP Max Scherzer vs....
    
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District 34 podcast: Figuring out Nats' playoff roster after clinching division

District 34 podcast: Figuring out Nats' playoff roster after clinching division
On the last episode of the District 34 podcast, Byron and I were counting down to the Nationals clinching their second straight division title. Well, on Sept. 10, they did (with some help from the Braves) to secure the team's fourth National League East crown in six seasons and a spot in this year's playoffs. To start this episode, we recap the celebration that took place at Nationals Park that day and what this division championship means for the Nats, Dusty Baker and Washington, D.C. as a...
    
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Statement on the death of Orioles minor league pitcher Miguel Gonzalez

Statement on the death of Orioles minor league pitcher Miguel Gonzalez
Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette issued the following statement on the death of Orioles minor league pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, who passed away today from injuries he sustained in a car accident in the Dominican Republic on Saturday evening. "Our organization is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Miguel Gonzalez. Miguel was beloved by his teammates and coaches in the Dominican Republic. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this very...
    
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Orioles to host fall instructional league in Sarasota

Orioles to host fall instructional league in Sarasota
The Baltimore Orioles will host the team's Fall Instructional League at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota with games that are free and open to the public from September 25 through October 10. The Instructional League program focuses on specific individual development while providing additional playing time to accelerate a player's progress through the minor league system. Games are played on the Main Field, with parking available in the East Lot at no charge. Spectators may enter the ballpark...
    
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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays turn to offseason as disappointing season winds down

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays turn to offseason as disappointing season winds down
Manager: John Gibbons (10th season) Record: 66-77 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Justin Smoak (.278/.358/.550 with 37 HR, 85 RBIs), 3B Josh Donaldson (.254/.378/.519 with 25 HR, 64 RBIs), DH Kendrys Morales (27 HR, 78 RBIs), RHP Marcus Stroman (11-7, 3.18 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (3.66 ERA, 35 saves, 0.93 WHIP) Season series vs. Orioles: 5-11 Pitching probables: Sept. 11: RHP Ubaldo Jiménez vs. RHP Marco Estrada, 7:07 p.m., MASN Sept. 12: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. RHP Joe Biagini, 7:07 p.m.,...
    
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Wednesday's Yankees-Orioles game rescheduled due to rain

Wednesday's Yankees-Orioles game rescheduled due to rain
Teams will play Thursday at 1:35 p.m. Tonight's scheduled game between the Orioles and New York Yankees has been postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up on Thursday, September 7 at 1:35 p.m. Tickets for the September 6 game will be automatically honored for the September 7, 1:35 p.m. game. No exchange is necessary, and fans should bring their original September 6 tickets to the ballpark gates for admission to Thursday's game. All ballpark gates will open at noon, and parking...
    
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Opposite dugout: Phillies hope Hoskins continues to shine in September

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope Hoskins continues to shine in September
Manager: Pete Mackanin (3rd season) Record: 53-86 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Rhys Hoskins (.309/.425/.734 with 12 HR, 27 RBIs), CF Odúbel Herrera (.288/.333/.465 with 12 HR, 48 RBIs), 1B Tommy Joseph (20 HR, 65 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (10-10, 3.72 ERA), RHP Héctor Neris (3.02 ERA with 19 saves)Season series vs. Nationals: 5-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 7: RHP Aaron Nola vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASNSept. 8: RHP Jake Thompson vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN2Sept. 9: RHP...
    
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District 34 podcast: Nats still recovering during final playoff push

District 34 podcast: Nats still recovering during final playoff push
Long time no see, Nationals fans! Sorry for the hiatus over the past couple of weeks, but have no fear, we are finally back with a new episode of the District 34 podcast! The Nationals' magic number to clinch the National League East is down to 10, so they can theoretically clinch their second straight division title within a week. That's quite an accomplishment considering how many injuries this ballclub has endured throughout the season. Byron Kerr and I run through the injury list and...
    
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