Corbin gem and Kendrick rocket carry Nats to 6-0 win

Corbin gem and Kendrick rocket carry Nats to 6-0 win
LOS ANGELES - The Nationals arrived in Chavez Ravine Thursday to begin a four-game set against the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers desperate to get their offense going to take pressure off their pitching staff. Mired in a four-game losing streak and fresh off a rough series sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers, in which they scored only six total runs, the Nats tallied three runs quickly to set the tone in the opener against the Dodgers. They added three more tack-on runs late to help...
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Game 37 lineups: Nats at Dodgers (Parra signed)

Game 37 lineups: Nats at Dodgers (Parra signed)
LOS ANGELES - The Nationals arrive at Chavez Ravine looking to snap their longest losing streak of the season (four) and having lost 13 of their last 18 games. They are currently eight games under .500 for the first time since September 17, 2011 (71-79). The three-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers was the first sweep versus Milwaukee since May 2011. Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2-1) allowed six runs, but only three earned, in the game's first two frames of a 7-3 setback. Second baseman...
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Would Harper accept hometown discount from Nats?

Would Harper accept hometown discount from Nats?
The offseason free agency talk continues centering around the Nationals' biggest free agent of their young history in outfielder Bryce Harper. The Washington Post reported a couple of weeks ago an offer to Harper of $300 million over 10 years with no player opt-outs. The New York Post reported this weekend the latest rumor about the possibility of big-name players such as Harper and another current free agent, Manny Machado, going to the same team, say the Phillies. But how remote is the shot...
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Storylines abound as disrespected Red Sox battle title-hungry Dodgers in World Series

Storylines abound as disrespected Red Sox battle title-hungry Dodgers in World Series
The Brewers' run at making the World Series for the first time since 1982 was refreshing, but the 114th World Series that starts Tuesday has a rare storyline. The last time the Red Sox and Dodgers played in the World Series was 1916, and the Dodgers weren't even the Dodgers: They were the Brooklyn Robins, named for their manager, Wilbert Robinson. (The Robins became the Dodgers in 1932 and then moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958.) The Red Sox won the 1916 series in five games. Babe...
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More on Madson's recovery and possible move to Dodgers

More on Madson's recovery and possible move to Dodgers
Nationals right-handed reliever Ryan Madson detailed this week upon his return how his personal trainer, Jay Schroeder of EVO UltraFit in Phoneix, Ariz., diagnosed and treated the lumbar nerve root irritation that had kept him out of action and on the disabled list. Schroeder employs something called an ARP (Accelerated Recovery Performance) wave machine, which uses pads that attach to Madson's skin and shoot electrical currents through his body, helping to relieve pain and soreness. The goal...
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Dodgers hope new arrival Machado will help them maintain control of NL West

Dodgers hope new arrival Machado will help them maintain control of NL West
The Dodgers, Manny Machado's new team, have a chance to get into the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. After the first six weeks, the Dodgers appeared to be going nowhere. Thanks to a season-ending elbow injury, shortstop Corey Seager, who will return next season, played his final game for the Dodgers on April 29. On May 16, the Dodgers lost 6-5 in Miami to fall 10 games below .500 and 8 1/2 game back of the Diamondbacks in the National League West. So why would there be a need for a...
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Strasburg kept game close, but offense and bullpen falter in 7-2 loss

Strasburg kept game close, but offense and bullpen falter in 7-2 loss
The Nationals were swept in their two-day, three-game series against the Dodgers that wrapped up Sunday, losing the finale 7-2. Yasmani Grandal and Kiké Hernández crushed homers off of Stephen Strasburg and Yasiel Puig smacked a late two-run shot to put the game away. Strasburg kept his team in the game with 6 2/3 innings, but four walks and those two big hits were enough for the Dodgers to get the win. Strasburg threw 115 pitches, but the four walks were his most all season and most...
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Wieters update is promising, Goodwin slowed (Nats fall 7-2)

Wieters update is promising, Goodwin slowed (Nats fall 7-2)
Infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick will have surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles on Monday. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he was devastated when he saw the injury occur in left field Saturday. "I've been around a long time," Rizzo said. "I kind of diagnosed it when he was laying on the warning track. It's unfortunate. It's a team leader, not to mention a really, really good player. You have to have a short memory in this game. As he was taken off, we got him the MRI, we...
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Game 45 lineups: Dodgers at Nats

Game 45 lineups: Dodgers at Nats
The Nationals head into Sunday seeking their first win in the three-game series versus the Dodgers. The Nats will also welcome one of the top prospects in all of baseball to Nationals Park, as 19-year-old Juan Soto joins the team, his contract having been selected this morning. He was with Double-A Harrisburg in Richmond on Saturday. Soto is the No. 15 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com and is considered the top power-hitting outfielder in the Nats system. To make room for Soto on the 25-man...
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Kieboom earns first big league hit, Harper RBI (Dodgers win 4-1)

Kieboom earns first big league hit, Harper RBI (Dodgers win 4-1)
The Dodgers got off to a quick start with a triple by Joc Pederson against Tanner Roark in the first inning. He came around to score on a sacrifice fly to left field by Yasmani Grandal. Roark labored 21 pitches in the first frame. In the third, Wilmer Difo and Spencer Kieboom singled. For Kieboom, it was his first Major League base hit. Bryce Harper's single to center scored Difo. Harper was seen wearing sport specs at the plate for the first time this season. Roark settled in to keep the...
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Game 43 lineups: Dodgers at Nats

Game 43 lineups: Dodgers at Nats
The Nationals' recent schedule has been interrupted so much by inclement weather it's almost like they have joined the National Football League: one game a week. Today the Nationals are scheduled to play a split doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tanner Roark will start the first game and Max Scherzer the second game. The Nats have not played a complete Major League Baseball game since last Sunday night at Arizona. Manager Davey Martinez released a lineup for Friday's game that...
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Nats and Dodgers washed out, split doubleheader Saturday

Nats and Dodgers washed out, split doubleheader Saturday
The Nationals' series opener against theDodgers has been postponed due to inclement weather. The announcement was made at 4:45 p.m. Friday's postponed game will be made up as part of a split-admission doubleheader on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. and the start time for Saturday night's regularly scheduled game has been adjusted from 7:05 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. Tickets for Friday's game should be used for the 2:05 p.m. game. The Nationals have realigned their pitchers for the doubleheader. Tanner Roark...
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Opposite dugout: Is it time to wave the white flag for the Dodgers? (updated)

Opposite dugout: Is it time to wave the white flag for the Dodgers? (updated)
Manager: Dave Roberts (3rd season) Record: 17-26 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Justin Turner (.462, 5 RBIs), 1B Cody Bellinger (6 HR, 19 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.278 with 7 HR, 26 RBIs), LHP Alex Wood (0-4, 3.35 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (3.57 ERA, 6 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: May 18: RHP Ross Stripling (0-1) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (7-1), 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 19: LHP Rich Hill (1-2) vs. RHP Tanner Roark (2-3), 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 20: LHP Alex Wood (0-4) vs. RHP...
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Nationals push Scherzer to Friday against the Dodgers

Nationals push Scherzer to Friday against the Dodgers
The Nationals have a day off today after the Yankees series was moved to June 18. Essentially, they will face the Yankees for 12 1/2 innings with two wins on the line next month at Nats Park. The two teams renew their matchup earlier that week in New York, with two games at Yankee Stadium June 12 and 13. Here are the updated pitching matchups for this weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers: Friday - Max Scherzer vs. Ross Stripling, Saturday - Tanner Roark vs. Rich Hill and Sunday - Stephen...
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Will Seager's season-ending injury spark Dodgers to inquire on Machado?

Will Seager's season-ending injury spark Dodgers to inquire on Machado?
Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager is done for the season because of an elbow injury that requires Tommy John surgery. Does that mean that the Dodgers will be calling the Orioles about shortstop Manny Machado, who is eligible for free agency after the season? Like the Orioles, the Dodgers are off to a slow start. The Dodgers' problems are many. They have a thin bullpen and closer Kenley Jansen hasn't dominating. Their starting pitching is thin. Pitcher Rich Hill, third baseman Justin Turner and...
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Opposite dugout: Dodgers ride winning streak into series vs. Nats

Opposite dugout: Dodgers ride winning streak into series vs. Nats
Manager: Dave Roberts (3rd season) Record: 8-9 Who to watch: 1B Cody Bellinger (.304/.342/.464), SS Corey Seager (7 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.352/.435/.611with 3 HR, 13 RBIs), LF Matt Kemp (.347/.389/.592, 10 RBI, 3 HR) , LHP Clayton Kershaw (1-2, 1.33 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1st meeting (3-3 in 2017) Pitching probables: April 20: RHP Max Scherzer (3-1) vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw (1-2), 10:10 p.m., MASN2April 21: RHP Stephen Strasburg (2-1) vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (2-0), 9:10 p.m.,...
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A radical realignment plan for MLB (plus Game 7 tonight)

A radical realignment plan for MLB (plus Game 7 tonight)
Major League Baseball could be headed for an expansion to 32 teams while at the same time a reduction in games from 162 to 156. That is the potential plan being considered as written about recently in this column in Baseball America. Author Tracy Ringolsby suggests we could see Montreal and Portland, Ore., recieve expansion teams. That would lead to one league with four divisions of eight teams each. It would be a radical change for the Orioles, who would no longer be in a division with the...
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In major leagues, you need both dollars and sense to win

In major leagues, you need both dollars and sense to win
Each year in October, it is interesting to see if the clubs that advanced to the playoffs are the teams spending the most money on players. As is often the case and again this year, the answer is no. There is no question that having a big payroll is an advantage. How can having the ability to outspend your competitors not be? But having a big payroll is just not a requirement to having a winning ballclub. According to Spotrac and using team cash payroll spending, the World Series will be won...
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With 104 wins under their belts, Dodgers return to World Series for first time since 1988

With 104 wins under their belts, Dodgers return to World Series for first time since 1988
The Dodgers are in the World Series for the first time since 1988, a World Series remembered for a limping Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit home run against Oakland's Dennis Eckersley in a walk-off 5-4 win in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium. When the World Series returns to Dodger Stadium for Game 1 on Tuesday, the 104-win Dodgers, will play the 101-win Astros. The series will match two triple-digit win teams for the first time since 1970, when the 108-win Orioles beat the Reds, who had 102...
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Strasburg scoreless inning string ends at 35 (Nats win 7-1)

Strasburg scoreless inning string ends at 35 (Nats win 7-1)
The Dodgers found a way to score a run off of Stephen Strasburg in the second inning. Yasiel Puig singled and stole second base. With two outs, Logan Forsythe's drive went off the glove of Michael A. Taylor in deep center field for a double. Puig scored. The Dodgers lead 1-0. Strasburg's franchise-record 34 scoreless innings ends at 35. The Nationals managed two base hits off of left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu in the second inning to try to plate the equalizer. But Taylor struck out and Matt Wieters...
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