Josh Land

Marty Niland: Five reasons the Nats will make a deep postseason run

September 29, 2014, 5:15am

The time we've been waiting for all year is at hand. After closing out the regular season on the highest possible note - Jordan Zimmermann throwing the Nationals' first no-hitter since the team moved to Washington D.C., in 2005 - the team and its fans can now get ready for the postseason. The bitter taste of the 2012 Game 5 meltdown is behind us now, as is the disappointment of missing the postseason in 2013. Instead, the Nationals can focus on winning Washington's first pennant since 1933,...

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Matt Williams discusses Ryan Zimmerman's health, potential playoff role

September 27, 2014, 11:15am

Nationals

Matt Williams discusses Ryan Zimmerman's health, potential playoff role

Since returning to the Nationals after suffering a right hamstring tear on July 22, Ryan Zimmerman has been a much-valued presence in the lineup and off the bench. The veteran offers versatility as he can play third base and left field, where he has made all three of his starts since his return. In his six games since his return, Zimmerman has posted a slash line of .286/.333/.429 over 14 at-bats. "The challenges are his leg and I think that's presenting itself nicely," Matt Williams...

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Orioles set to host nearly 1,400 at-risk children for first two games of ALDS

September 27, 2014, 10:28am

Orioles

With postseason baseball on the horizon, diehard Orioles fans are gearing up to watch the Birds host the first two games of the American League Division Series. Oriole Park at Camden Yards will be flooded with orange and black, and among the many fans will be nearly 1,400 at-risk children watching the games from Sections 96 and 98! The Orioles are inviting the children to experience the magic of postseason baseball through a program called the OriolesREACH Knothole Gang. Groups participating...

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Orioles select the contract of infielder Alexi Casilla from Triple-A Norfolk

September 27, 2014, 10:01am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Alexi Casilla from Triple-A Norfolk. Casilla, 30, batted .264/.315/.320 in 56 games for Triple-A Norfolk this season, stealing nine bases in 11 attempts while primarily playing second base (34 games) and shortstop (21 games). Casilla will wear #1. To make room for Casilla on the 40-man roster, right-hander Preston Guilmet has been designated for assignment. Guilmet, 27, pitched to a 5.23 ERA (10.1IP, 6ER) in 10...

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Williams on Fister's Game 1 performance (with Game 2 lineups)

September 26, 2014, 12:51pm

Nationals

Williams on Fister's Game 1 performance (with Game 2 lineups)

With Doug Fister's complete-game shutout against the Marlins in Game 1 of the doubleheader, the Nationals secured home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. Fister threw 104 pitches, 77 for strikes, allowed just three hits, walked none and struck out nine. It was the seventh complete game of Fister's career and his 16th win of the season, which is a career-high. Here is what manager Matt Williams had to say about the Game 1 performance of the Nats. On Fister's...

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Orioles to host nearly 1,400 at-risk children during ALDS Games 1 and 2

September 26, 2014, 12:34pm

Orioles

The Orioles are inviting at-risk children to attend Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series through a program called the OriolesREACH Knothole Gang. Nearly 1,400 children will be experiencing the excitement of Postseason baseball from Sections 96 and 98 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, courtesy of the Orioles. Groups participating include: * Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore * City Springs Elementary School/Baltimore Curriculum Project * Dundalk Youth Services Center *...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins targeting second in NL East as regular season wraps

September 26, 2014, 6:04am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins targeting second in NL East as regular season wraps

Manager: Mike Redmond, second year Record: 76-82 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Marcell Ozuna (.269/.317/.455, 26 doubles, 23 HR, 85 RBIs); LF Christian Yelich (.290/.368/.412, 30 doubles, 9 HR, 54 RBIs, 93 R, 21 SB); RHP Henderson Alvarez (12-6, 2.70 ERA, 1.22 WHIP); RHP Jarred Cosart (4-2, 2.29 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 3-13, 43 runs scored, 84 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 26, Game 1: Jarred Cosart vs. Doug Fister, 1 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 26, Game 2: Andrew Heaney...

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Patrick Reddington: Will Strasburg be the Nationals' Game 1 starter?

September 26, 2014, 4:53am

Nationals

When the Washington Nationals realigned their starting rotation going into back-to-back doubleheaders with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins, it worked out so that Stephen Strasburg would go in the next-to-last game of the year and Jordan Zimmermann would pitch in the 162nd game of the season. Manager Matt Williams explained to reporters that the decision gave Zimmermann a little extra rest after he suffered a bruised shoulder on a liner back to the mound during his last outing. Moving him...

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Matthew Taylor: Postseason moments aren't always savored

September 26, 2014, 4:49am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Postseason moments aren't always savored

When you think of great postseason moments, which ones come to mind? Chances are there are a fair number of home runs in the mix. Carlton Fisk. Kirk Gibson. Kirby Puckett. Joe Carter. David Freese. Playoff home runs are tailor-made for highlight reels. They tell quick, dramatic stories that often come to define a game and even a series. As the Orioles approach the 2014 playoffs, I've spent time wondering about the postseason moments that await. My daydreaming about the good things that could...

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Opposite dugout: High-scoring Blue Jays look to keep O's from AL's best record

September 26, 2014, 4:18am

Orioles

Opposite dugout: High-scoring Blue Jays look to keep O's from AL's best record

Manager: John Gibbons, second year Record: 81-78 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: RF Jose Bautista (.290/.409/.534, 27 doubles, 35 HR, 103 RBIs, 101 R); 1B Edwin Encarnacion (.269/.357/.555, 27 doubles, 34 HR, 98 RBIs); RHP R.A. Dickey (14-12, 3.78 ERA, 1.24 WHIP); LHP J.A. Happ (10-11, 4.27 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 6-10, 62 runs scored, 69 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 26: Drew Hutchison vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Sept. 27: J.A. Happ vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 4 p.m.,...

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Williams, Zimmerman recap Nats' 7-4 loss (Game 2 lineups)

September 25, 2014, 1:57pm

Nationals

Williams, Zimmerman recap Nats' 7-4 loss (Game 2 lineups)

The Nationals are busy trying to clinch the top seed in the National League postseason. Ryan Zimmerman is just trying to get back to full strength. Zimmerman - playing in just his second game since July 23 - played seven innings Thursday, going 1-for-4 and scoring a run in the Nationals' 7-4 loss to the Mets. The final score wasn't what Zimmerman or the Nationals wanted, but for the 29-year-old, it meant another step toward recovery. "I was running at the same percentage," Zimmerman...

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Musicians Margaret Valentine and Eric Hutchinson celebrate Orioles with exciting New York City performance

September 25, 2014, 10:23am

Orioles

Listen to songs like "Catfish" by Bob Dylan or the "The Greatest" by Kenny Rogers and one thing is obvious: Baseball and music are better together. While in different fields, baseball players are often compared to musicians and called "rock stars." Although they have completely different jobs, both know how to thrill a crowd, unite a city and get people cheering. Oh yeah, and they both know how to celebrate! On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Orioles celebrated clinching the American League East...

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David Huzzard: Waiting for October

September 25, 2014, 4:39am

Nationals

The day after the Nationals clinched the division, they put out a lineup that was more Triple-A Syracuse than it was Washington and it was a sign of things to come. Post clinch baseball is weird. A couple of days later, with the Nationals going for a four game sweep of the Marlins, and Stephen Strasburg through seven innings with a pitch count in the 80's, Craig Stammen entered for the eighth and disposed closer Rafael Soriano for the ninth. Post clinch baseball is somewhere between spring...

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Zach Wilt: Comparing Nelson Cruz to Frank Robinson

September 25, 2014, 4:36am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Comparing Nelson Cruz to Frank Robinson

Nelson Cruz's career year couldn't have come at a better time. The Orioles slugger will likely finish the season with the Major League lead in home runs, assuming Jose Abreu doesn't go on an absolute tear. He currently sits at 40 homers, seven more than his previous career-high in 2009 and his 108 RBIs are also more than he's ever driven in, he finished with 90 in 2012. Cruz has totaled more doubles and taken more free passes this year than he had in any of his previous nine seasons in the...

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Mets-Nationals game postponed

September 24, 2014, 4:36pm

Nationals

Tonight's Nationals-Mets game scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., has been postponed due to inclement weather. The team will play a split doubleheader on Thursday, September 25 with tonight's make-up game beginning at 1:05 p.m. The regularly scheduled game will begin at 7:05 p.m. All gates for the second game will open 1.5 hours after the last out of the 1:05 p.m. game or 6:00 p.m., whichever is later.* The two games against the Mets on Thursday will...

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Nationals honor outfielder Steven Souza Jr., right-hander Lucas Giolito and infielder Wilmer Difo

September 24, 2014, 10:19am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today named outfielder Steven Souza Jr. their Minor League Player of the Year and right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito their Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The club also named infielder Wilmer Difo the recipient of the second-annual Bob Boone Award. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Vice President of Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Player...

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Orioles announce ALDS postseason ticket options

September 24, 2014, 6:34am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced two options for fans to purchase American League Division Series tickets, which will be available exclusively online. Fans are encouraged to visit www.orioles.com/postseason for a Postseason seating chart, schedule, and additional ticket information. Both options are for fans to purchase only American League Division Series tickets (ALCS and World Series tickets will be made available for sale at a later date, as necessary). Option 1 - Guaranteed ALDS tickets Fans...

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Rachel Levitin: Younger Nats fans lucky to experience winning baseball in D.C.

September 24, 2014, 5:19am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Younger Nats fans lucky to experience winning baseball in D.C.

The last (and first) time the Nationals clinched the National League East championship, it was Oct. 1, 2012. It was the end of the season. Stakes were high. Adrenaline was ever-present. It was all new territory and they were able to secure the victory while also celebrating on their home turf at Nationals Park. The second time around, things were a little different. The Nats clinched their division on Sept. 16 in Atlanta at Turner Field with a couple of weeks still left in the season. Sure, it...

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Daniel Clark: Selecting the 25 to continue the journey

September 24, 2014, 4:43am

Orioles

Daniel Clark: Selecting the 25 to continue the journey

As the 2014 regular season nears its completion, the focus for the Orioles now shifts to the playoffs and with that, decisions need to be made on what the American League Division Series roster will look like. Despite the injuries and suspensions sustained throughout the season, the Orioles have managed to find adequate replacements throughout the journey, helping to ensure the winning ways have been maintained. However, there are still some uncertainties remaining ahead of the playoffs, in...

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Washington Nationals announce TEAM Service All-Stars campaign

September 23, 2014, 7:18am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced the launch of the TEAM Service All-Stars campaign to recognize and reward gameday staff who provide world class customer service to guests at Nationals Park. From Tuesday, September 23 to Friday, September 26, fans of all ages are encouraged to go to nationals.com/teamservice to vote for the team member(s) they believe go above and beyond their typical duties to create a memorable experience at the ballpark. Managers from each of the nine TEAM Service...