World Series over, a world of speculation about free agents begins

World Series over, a world of speculation about free agents begins
Prepare yourself: The baseball offseason is here, and that means a never-ending stream of speculation about trades and free agent signings. John Schuerholz, former general manager of the Atlanta Braves, used to accuse reporters of blowing even the tiniest tidbit of conversation out of proportion. "Reporters take a kernel of popcorn and turn it into a large bag immediately," he said. In case you haven't heard, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are the two biggest names on the free agent market....
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Is Braves' path to postseason a blueprint Orioles could follow?

Is Braves' path to postseason a blueprint Orioles could follow?
The Braves winning the National League East is bad news for the Nationals, good news with hope for the Orioles. The Braves arrived a year or two early and won the NL East, a division race where the Nationals were the heavy favorite to win and make it to the World Series. The Orioles are losing in triple digits, but they can take heart that two seasons ago, the Braves were on the bottom of rebuilding, struggling as the Orioles did this season. Former Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis signed with...
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Opposite dugout: Braves boast formidable mix of youth and experience

Opposite dugout: Braves boast formidable mix of youth and experience
Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season) Record: 82-64 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Ronald Acuña Jr. (25 HR, 14 SB), 1B Freddie Freeman (.307/.388/.500, 85 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.306/.371/.457, 88 RBIs), CF Ender Inciarte (25 SB), RHP Kevin Gausman (3.89 ERA), RHP Arodys Vizcaíno (15 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 9-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 14: RHP Max Scherzer (17-6) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (9-10), 7:35 p.m., MASN2Sept. 15: TBA vs. RHP Julio Teheran (9-7), 1:05 p.m., FOXSept....
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Nats give away extra outs in 10th, allowing Cubs to take 4-3 win

Nats give away extra outs in 10th, allowing Cubs to take 4-3 win
In a game that stretched to extra innings, and close to four hours, the Chicago Cubs found a way to generate enough offense in the 10th to score a run on closer Sean Doolittle and beat the Nationals 4-3. The Nats' (74-73) win streak ends at five games. They now quickly head to Atlanta for a three-game series against the Braves. In the top of the 10th with one-out against Doolittle (3-3), Kris Bryant doubled to left-center field. Former Nats second baseman Daniel Murphy reached on an infield...
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Taylor gourmet: center fielder stellar at offense and defense

Taylor gourmet: center fielder stellar at offense and defense
Michael A. Taylor played the part of "super sub" Thursday, contributing on offense and defense to a help the Nationals earn a split of their four-game set with the Braves, 6-3. Taylor smacked a solo shot and made a spectacular diving catch of a dying bloop shot off the bat of Kurt Suzuki as the Nats earned their 59th win of the season. At the start of the game, both Taylor and Adam Eaton provided key outfield assists to prevent the Braves from scoring runs. Manager Davey Martinez sighted the...
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Gonzalez gains momentum in seven innings, Nats win 6-3

Gonzalez gains momentum in seven innings, Nats win 6-3
In a game they had to win, left-hander Gio Gonzalez dug down deep to deliver a convincing seven-inning gem as the Nationals split their series with the second-place Braves, 6-3. The win for the southpaw snapped a personal seven-game losing streak dating back to May 28 at Baltimore. Gonzalez allowed only a second inning Nick Markakis solo shot and walked one over those seven frames, striking out three, and scattering five other hits. The Nats enjoyed RBIs from six different players in their...
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Harper shin "pretty swollen," Strasburg and Ross making progress

Harper shin "pretty swollen," Strasburg and Ross making progress
In the early morning lineup submitted for Thursday's afternoon finale between the Nationals and the Atlanta Braves, Bryce Harper was slated to bat cleanup. But less than a half an hour after that lineup was posted, a new lineup was set with Harper scratched and Michael A. Taylor inserted to play center field and bat seventh. "We thought he was going to be OK," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "He's out there trying to get loose this morning and it just wouldn't get loose. Pretty...
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Former Orioles Brach and Gausman settling in with Braves

Former Orioles Brach and Gausman settling in with Braves
As a new member of the Atlanta Braves, one of pitcher Brad Brach's first meetings was with the analytics staff. They showed him a string of statistics. "They showed me a lot stuff, things like my swing-and-miss rate, how I was falling behind left-handed batters,'' Brach said Tuesday before their series with the Nationals began in D.C. "It's helpful information, but you still have to execute pitches.'' When the Orioles traded Brach, a reliever, and starter Kevin Gausman to the contending...
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Opposite dugout: Braves aim to stay in the thick of NL East race

Opposite dugout: Braves aim to stay in the thick of NL East race
Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season) Record: 60-48 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.316 average with 18 HR, 69 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.319 average with 68 RBIs, 135 hits), CF Ender Inciarte (.253 average with 105 hits, 23 stolen bases), 2B Ozzie Albies (.276 average with 20 HR, 123 hits), LHP Sean Newcomb (10-5, 3.23 ERA), RHP Mike Foltynewicz (8-7, 3.04 ERA), CL A.J. Minter (2.98 ERA, 8 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 7-5 Pitching probables: Aug. 7: LHP Max Fried...
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Braves, Nationals set sights on upending Phillies in NL East

Braves, Nationals set sights on upending Phillies in NL East
As the major league season resumes, the question looms: Can the inconsistent Nationals overtake the Phillies and Braves to win another National League East championship? The Nationals, who have lost in the NL Division Series in four different seasons, will have all they can do to get back to the postseason. They start tonight at home against the Braves. The Nationals, who have been bounced from the postseason in the first round in four different seasons by four different teams, are season...
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Opposite dugout: Braves looking to carry momentum into second half

Opposite dugout: Braves looking to carry momentum into second half
Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season) Record: 52-42 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B Ozzie Albies (.281 with 20 HR, 55 RBIs); RF Nick Markakis (.323 with 61 RBIs, 120 hits); 1B Freddie Freeman (.315 with 61 RBIs, 114 hits); CF Ender Inciarte (88 hits, 23 SB); RHP Aníbal Sánchez (4-2, 2.60 ERA); LHP A.J. Minter (3.20 ERA, 4 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-4 Pitching probables: July 20: RHP Aníbal Sánchez (4-2) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (6-6); 7:05 p.m., MASN2July 21: LHP Sean...
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Opponents enjoy one game as teammates of Max Scherzer (AL wins 8-6 in 10)

Opponents enjoy one game as teammates of Max Scherzer (AL wins 8-6 in 10)
Right-hander Max Scherzer gets the start in tonight's 89th All-Star Game. National League outfielder Christian Yelich, who now plays for the Brewers, is making his initial All-Star appearance. Yelich played five seasons for the Marlins, an NL East team that faced the Nationals 19 times a season. Yelich is very familiar with Scherzer and is excited he gets to play on the same team with the Cy Young winner. "It's nice to have him on the same team for a night, I guess you could say," Yelich...
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O's game blog: Alex Cobb pitches series opener in Atlanta

O's game blog: Alex Cobb pitches series opener in Atlanta
The Orioles' two-city road trip moves on to Atlanta tonight as they open a three-game series with the Braves at SunTrust Park. The trip started with the Orioles (21-52) losing two of three at Washington. Last night's 4-2 loss was the Orioles 11th loss in 13 games and they have dropped 18 of 22 and 20 of 26 games over longer stretches. While they are in last place in the American League East, the Braves (43-30) are the surprising leaders in the National League East by three games over...
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Opposite dugout: Offense has pushed Braves to top of NL East

Opposite dugout: Offense has pushed Braves to top of NL East
Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season) Record: 43-30 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.332/.420/.539 with 15 HR, 49 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.323, 44 RBIs), 2B Ozzie Albies (16 HR, 42 RBIs), LHP Sean Newcomb (8-2, 2.70 ERA), RHP Julio Teheran (5-4, 3.97 ERA), RHP Arodys Vizcaíno (1.82 ERA, 15 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (0-3 in 2015) Pitching probables: June 22: RHP Alex Cobb (2-9) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (8-2), 7:35 p.m., MASN2 June 23 RHP Dylan Bundy (5-7)...
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Opposite Dugout: Braves host Nationals with NL East lead at stake

Opposite Dugout: Braves host Nationals with NL East lead at stake
Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season)Record: 32-23 Last 10 games: 5-5 Players to watch: 2B Ozzie Albies (14 HR, 34 RBIs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.335 with 9 HR, 40 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.332, 38 RBIs), LHP Sean Newcomb (5-1, 2.75 ERA), RHP Mike Foltynewicz (4-3, 2.55 ERA), RHP Arodys Vizcaino (9 saves, 2.38 ERA) Series vs. Nationals: 3-2 Pitching probables: May 31: RHP Tanner Roark (2-4) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (5-1), 7:35 p.m., MASN2June 1: RHP Stephen Strasburg (6-4) vs. RHP Mike Foltynewicz...
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Martinez on Eaton, bench-clearing brawls, plus other notes

Martinez on Eaton, bench-clearing brawls, plus other notes
Nationals manager Davey Martinez had some good news on the progress of outfielder Adam Eaton who is on the disabled list with a left ankle bone bruise. Martinez predicted it might be a short stay on the 10-day for Eaton. "I saw him today and he's getting his workouts in," Martinez said. "We miss him on the field, but it's actually pretty good that he's able to continue to do his strengthening for his knees. But he'll be back. I think he's going to be back sooner than we think. He's...
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Cole rebounds with much improved second start

Cole rebounds with much improved second start
A lot of good to build on from right-hander A.J. Cole's second start. Last week in Atlanta in his first start of 2018, Cole got roughed up. He allowed 10 runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings. This time, Cole allowed an early home run, settled in, then allowed another solo shot, but that was it. A much better result for Cole, as he went 5 1/3 innings, allowing only two runs on four hits. It was a no decision for Cole, as the Braves dropped the Nationals 5-3, in 12 innings. "He did a great job,"...
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Zimmerman's triple sparks another fast start (Nats win 4-1)

Zimmerman's triple sparks another fast start (Nats win 4-1)
Ryan Zimmerman has had a tough start to the season at the plate. Coming into Tuesday's matchup with Atlanta, Zimmerman was hitting just .097 (3-for-31) with one homer and three RBIs. In the first inning, Brian Goodwin walked and Bryce Harper singled in front of Zimmerman against Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz. Pushed to the No. 5 spot in the batting order, Zimmerman tripled on a sharp line drive to Braves left fielder Preston Tucker. Goodwin and Harper scored. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg...
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Opposite dugout: Braves making some noise in early stages of 2018

Opposite dugout: Braves making some noise in early stages of 2018
Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season) Record: 6-3 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.367/.558/.733 with 11 RBIs), LF Preston Tucker (.370/.400/.667 with 9 RBIs), CF Ender Inciarte (2 SB, 5 RBIs), SS Dansby Swanson (.382/.400/.618), RHP Mike Foltynewicz (15 Ks in 10 1/3 innings), RHP Arodys Vizcaino (1.93 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: April 9: RHP Julio Teheran (0-0, 10.13 ERA) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 1.64 ERA), 7:05 p.m., MASNApril 10: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (1-0,...
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More on Eaton's catch, Scherzer's day and the Law Firm

More on Eaton's catch, Scherzer's day and the Law Firm
Left fielder Adam Eaton demonstrated Wednesday against the Braves that his knee is fine and he can take the hard hit. Eaton dove to his left and stretched out toward the warning track to rob Braves hitter Ozzie Albies of extra bases with a spectacular catch in the third inning of the Nats' 7-1 series finale setback in Atlanta. Eaton had promised that his knee was solid and that he would go all out on every play as he returns from major knee surgery that forced him to miss most of the 2017...
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