Opposite dugout: Marlins, Stanton looking for better offensive production next year

Opposite dugout: Marlins, Stanton looking for better offensive production next year
Manager: Dan Jennings (1st season) Record: 59-81 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordan (.328/.355/.408 with 36 RBIs, 50 SB), 3B Martin Prado (.284 with 52 RBIs), SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.281 with 48 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (4-0, 2.30 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (25 saves, 2.61 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-6 Pitching probables: Sept. 11: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jarred Cosart, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 12: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jose Fernandez, 7:10 p.m., MASN Sept. 13: RHP Max Scherzer...
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Scherzer not crisp, inability to generate big inning leads to Nats' 4-3 loss

Scherzer not crisp, inability to generate big inning leads to Nats' 4-3 loss
The Nationals fell to the Marlins 4-3 on Friday night in a game they pretty much had to have against a team near the basement in the National League East. Right-hander Max Scherzer allowed a couple of early home runs and the Nationals failed to score more than one run with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth. That all added to a demoralizing one-run setback to a 77-loss club. The Marlins are now surprising 6-4 against the Nationals this season. Miami is 46-73 against everyone else and...
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Scherzer allows two homers, Desmond and Ramos homer for Nats (Marlins win 4-3)

Scherzer allows two homers, Desmond and Ramos homer for Nats (Marlins win 4-3)
It didn't take the Marlins long to get to Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer. Left fielder Derek Dietrich slapped a run-scoring double high off the right-center field wall to score Martin Prado, who had singled to right with two down, and Miami led 1-0. Center fielder Bryce Harper had a single to right field with two outs in the bottom of the first. He has now hit safely in eight straight games. Ryan Zimmerman struck out to end the first inning. Update: Ian Desmond took the first pitch off of...
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Opposite dugout: Without Stanton in lineup, Marlins struggle to create offense

Opposite dugout: Without Stanton in lineup, Marlins struggle to create offense
Manager: Dan Jennings (1st season) Record: 51-77 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordon (.333/.358/.417 with 45 SB), SS Adeiny Hechevarria (.280 with 48 RBIs), 1B Justin Bour (12 HR, 42 RBIs), RHP Tom Koehler (8-12, 3.98 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (2.80 ERA, 22 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-4 Pitching probables: Aug. 28: LHP Adam Conley vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 29: RHP Tom Koehler vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 30: LHP Brad Hand vs. RHP Stephen...
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Opposite dugout: Marlins haven't improved much since managerial change

Opposite dugout: Marlins haven't improved much since managerial change
Manager: Dan Jennings (1st year) Record: 41-58 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.276, 37 RBIs), LF Christian Yelich (.265, 5 HR, 22 RBIs), 1B Justin Boar (.263 with 10 HR, 30 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (3-0, 2.77 ERA), RHP Tom Koehler (8-6, 3.16 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos Season series vs. Nationals: 4-2 Pitching probables: July 28: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Jose Fernandez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 29: RHP Doug Fister vs. RHP Tom Koehler, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 30: RHP Max...
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Opposite dugout: Reeling Marlins feature slugging Stanton, GM-turned-manager Jennings

Opposite dugout: Reeling Marlins feature slugging Stanton, GM-turned-manager Jennings
Manager: Dan Jennings (1st season) Record: 16-26 Last 10 games: 1-9 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (.239/.324/523 with 12 HR, 39 RBIs), SS Adeiny Hechevarria (.297 with 20 RBIs), CF Marcell Ozuna (.276 with 3 HR, 12 RBIs), RHP Dan Haren (4-2, 3.47 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (0.90 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 26 Ks in 20 IP) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-1 in 2010) Pitching probables: May 22: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Henderson Alvarez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 May 23: RHP Mike Wright vs. RHP Dan Haren,...
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Opposite dugout: Surging Marlins hope to pick up where they left off against Nationals

Opposite dugout: Surging Marlins hope to pick up where they left off against Nationals
Manager: Mike Redmond (3rd season) Record: 12-13 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordon (.440/.463/.510 with 11 RBIs, 11 SB), RF Giancarlo Stanton (.272, 6 HR, 24 RBIs), SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.312/.337/.462 with 16 RBIs), RHP David Phelps (1-0, 3.38 ERA, no HR allowed in 18 2/3 IP). Season series vs. Nationals: 3-0 Pitching probables: May 4: RHP David Phelps vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN May 5: RHP Mat Latos vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN May 6: RHP Tom Koehler...
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Opposite dugout: Despite lofty expectations, poor pitching has Fish reeling

Opposite dugout: Despite lofty expectations, poor pitching has Fish reeling
Manager: Mike Redmond (3rd year) Record: 5-11 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordon (.348/.361/.435 with 9 RBIs, 9 stolen bases), RF Giancarlo Stanton (4 HR, 14 RBIs), 1B Michael Morse (2 HR, 7 RBIs), SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.311/.338/.410 with 1 HR, 10 RBIs), RHP Dan Haren (1-1, 3.32 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting of 2015; 6-13 in 2014 Pitching probables: April 24 - RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Mat Latos, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 April 25 - RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Tom...
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David Huzzard: Slow start has Marlins fishing for answers

David Huzzard: Slow start has Marlins fishing for answers
It's still very early in the baseball season, too early to count any team out or call into question anyone's spring training predictions, but the Marlins have the worst record in baseball and could be on the verge of changing managers. One of the main reasons for this is that Marlins starting pitching is not very good. They came into Wednesday's action sporting a 5.30 ERA, with Dan Haren their best starting pitcher so far. If people weren't so enamored with the Marlins outfield and paid...
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The All-Star waiting game continues for D.C.

The All-Star waiting game continues for D.C.
Last Wednesday, new Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred visited the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and was quite vague when asked about the chances of an All-Star Game ending up in the nation's capital. "We're going to make some announcements about All-Star games in the relatively near future and I won't go beyond that," Manfred said. On Tuesday night, the Miami Herald reported that the 2017 All-Star Game will be played at Marlins Park, officially confirming the...
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NL East opponents concerned if Scherzer pitches for Nats

NL East opponents concerned if Scherzer pitches for Nats
So much for another quiet offseason for the Nationals. Last week, the Nationals acquired shortstop Yunel Escobar to shore up their infield. They sent fan favorite and eighth-inning eraser Tyler Clippard to Oakland to complete the deal. Now there are reports that the Nationals have agreed to a seven-year deal with 2013 Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, who went 39-8 the past two seasons with 492 strikeouts for the Tigers. NJ.com, which covers the Mets, believes this makes it even more...
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Tommy John comebacks could be deciding factor in NL East

Tommy John comebacks could be deciding factor in NL East
Last year, the baseball season was defined by a record number of pitchers sidelined with Tommy John surgery, a procedure that requires ligament replacement in the elbow. This season, star pitchers who missed 2014 will be returning, and the National League East could be in for a big change as far as the teams that will challenge the Nationals. The Nationals won the division by 17 games last season, but the Atlanta Braves - usually their biggest challenger - are short on pitching thanks in part...
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A closer look at the Marlins' megadeal with Giancarlo Stanton

A closer look at the Marlins' megadeal with Giancarlo Stanton
This is the most jaw-dropping story of the offseason: After months of speculation that the Miami Marlins would trade Giancarlo Stanton, the team wound up signing him to the richest contract in sports history, $325 million for 13 years. They will announce the deal Wednesday. The Marlins are playing in a new ballpark and need a signing like this to prove their relevance. They know more about splitting up a team than holding it together. At least, that's the Marlins' reputation. But is that a...
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Zimmermann on Nats' historic no-hitter: "One of those special days"

Zimmermann on Nats' historic no-hitter: "One of those special days"
With the postseason five days away, Nationals manager Matt Williams used 17 position players in the final game of the season, as he wanted to rest his starters after a couple of at-bats. His starting pitcher got a couple of base hits. His shortstop hit a home run for the only run the Nationals needed in a 1-0 shutout of the Marlins and the club's 96th win of the season. Oh, wait. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann tossed the first no-hitter in Nationals history, going nine innings, allowing...
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Opposite dugout: Marlins targeting second in NL East as regular season wraps

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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Marlins get to Gonzalez, take early advantage (Nats win 6-2)

Marlins get to Gonzalez, take early advantage (Nats win 6-2)
The Marlins greeted Miami native Gio Gonzalez rudely in the second inning. Jeff Baker singled to lead off the frame. Reed Johnson, who is replacing the injured Giancarlo Stanton, then smacked a double that bounced off the center field wall and the Marlins led 1-0. Gonzalez managed to get the next three outs to end the rally. Brad Hand has not allowed a hit in the first two innings. He has an 8.03 ERA in six starts versus the Nationals. Update: Anthony Rendon notched a base hit with one out...
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Opposite dugout: Marlins and Nats get familiar as regular season nears conclusion

Opposite dugout: Marlins and Nats get familiar as regular season nears conclusion
Manager: Mike Redmond, second year Record: 74-77 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Marcell Ozuna (.270/.318/.456, 25 doubles, 23 HR, 85 RBIs); 3B Casey McGehee (.292/.362/.365, 28 doubles, 4 HR, 70 RBIs); RHP Jarred Cosart (4-2, 2.05 ERA, 1.01 WHIP); RHP Tom Koehler (9-9, 3.71 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 5-6, 48 runs scored, 56 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 18: Brad Hand vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 19: Tom Koehler vs. Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Sept. 20:...
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Nationals needed early run after two losses in series and got it (Nats win 4-3)

Nationals needed early run after two losses in series and got it (Nats win 4-3)
Fresh off two rough setbacks in Miami, the Nationals wanted nothing more than to get off to a good start in the final game of the three-game set against the Marlins in Miami. They had lost the first two games - a heartbreaking 7-6 comeback loss Monday and a 3-0 shutout Tuesday. The Marlins sent out left-hander Brad Hand, who was 0-3 with an 8.71 ERA in seven games (five starts) against the Nationals. The Nationals got to him early thanks to a Denard Span walk. Anthony Rendon followed with...
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Nationals unable to take advantage of early chance (Marlins win 3-0)

Nationals unable to take advantage of early chance (Marlins win 3-0)
Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez appeared to be having trouble controlling his pitches early on tonight against the Nationals. But the Nationals were unable to score a run with men on base in the first and second frames. Alvarez pitched around a walk to Denard Span in the first thanks to a double play ball. In the second inning, the Nationals loaded the bases with no one out. Wilson Ramos walked. Bryce Harper singled and Ian Desmond walked. But Danny Espinosa struck out swinging. Nate...
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Learning from a tough loss in July can pay deeper dividends in September

Learning from a tough loss in July can pay deeper dividends in September
Losing is never easy. Blowing a 6-0 lead is up there as most upsetting. But falling 7-6 at Miami Monday is actually a good thing for a team that has seen a lot go well in the month of July. It seemed like Rafael Soriano was due. Recently, a few of his best pitches have been up in the zone. He actually lives on the edge in that regard, getting guys to chase at some of those tantalizing offers. Leading 6-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth, he had not allowed a run in 11 straight innings...
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