nationals

Pitch-framing: The art of getting a strike call

July 06, 2017, 8:10am

The game within the game for a catcher involves a critical skill: the ability to frame pitches in a way to set the strike zone to benefit your pitcher. Pitch-framing depends on many factors involving the pitcher, the catcher, the umpire and the game situation. This is part one in our series on the art of the game: catchers and pitch-framing. Some of the best in the business at "stealing strikes" for their pitchers are 30-year-old and five-time All-Star Buster Posey and 34-year-old eight-time...

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David Huzzard: What is the impact of the the Nats' bad bullpen?

July 07, 2017, 5:19am

Nationals

David Huzzard: What is the impact of the the Nats' bad bullpen?

I had a question earlier this week on the Nationals bullpen. It was a simple one: Exactly how many ninth-inning blown saves have they had and where does that compare to the league average? The Nationals have 14 total blown saves, but because a lot of old-timey baseball stats are dumb, that counts a blown lead by a reliever in any inning and not just the ninth. The answer for how many ninth-inning blown saves has to be found by looking at how many times the Nationals had a lead entering the...

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Game 85 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

July 06, 2017, 11:08am

Nationals

Let's cut right to the chase: No, I have no idea if they're going to be able to play tonight's game. As was the case last night, the forecast doesn't look good, maybe even worse. But that doesn't mean the Nationals and Braves won't try to get their series opener in. In other words: Stay tuned. As soon as we know, you'll know. If they do play, it'll be Gio Gonzalez on the mound for the Nationals, who elected to skip Tanner Roark's spot after last night's rainout and keep Gonzalez, Max...

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Newly acquired Rodriguez pitches ninth in Harrisburg's victory

July 05, 2017, 8:34pm

Nationals

Newly acquired Rodriguez pitches ninth in Harrisburg's victory

Francisco Rodriguez officially became a member of the Nationals organization Wednesday night, pitching an inning of relief for Double-A Harrisburg. Rodriguez, the veteran closer signed to a minor league contract last week after he was released by the Tigers, officially joined the roster at Harrisburg. That was a bit of a surprise, considering he was expected to pitch for Triple-A Syracuse. The Nationals, though, aren't so much worried about the level of competition Rodriguez faces as much as...

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Nationals agree to terms with 27 international free agents

July 06, 2017, 11:19am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 27 international free agents. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Vice President of International Operations Johnny DiPuglia made the joint announcement. COLOMBIA PLAYER POS B/T HT WT HOMETOWN Leandro Emiliani OF L/L 6-1 180 San Antero DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PLAYER ...

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Opposite dugout: Freeman's return gives Braves a glimmer of hope

July 06, 2017, 4:43am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Freeman's return gives Braves a glimmer of hope

Manager: Brian Snitker (2nd year) Record: 40-43 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (49-for-143, 14 HR), C Tyler Flowers (.319/.412/.459) LF Matt Kemp (21 doubles, 12 HR) CF Ender Inciarte (11 stolen bases) RF Nick Markakis (42 RBIs), RHP Jim Johnson (18 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-5 Pitching probables: July 6: RHP Mike Foltynewicz vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 7: RHP R.A. Dickey vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 8: RHP Julio Teheran vs. RHP...

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Series finale vs. Mets postponed, no makeup announced

July 05, 2017, 5:00pm

Nationals

Series finale vs. Mets postponed, no makeup announced

The Nationals' series finale against the Mets was postponed when heavy rain converged upon the District shortly before scheduled first pitch and didn't show signs of letting up anytime soon. No makeup date was immediately announced. The two clubs do share a common off-day on Sept. 11, which falls in the middle of a 10-game homestand for the Nationals and the start of a nine-game road trip for the Mets. Otherwise, the teams are scheduled to meet once more in Washington this season: Aug....

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Harper gets day off; Baker explains (start delayed)

July 05, 2017, 2:15pm

Nationals

Harper gets day off; Baker explains (start delayed)

Bryce Harper is not starting tonight's series finale against the Mets. That may disappoint fans who have tickets to this game, but there could've been even more disappointed fans Tuesday because Dusty Baker initially planned to sit Harper for the Nationals' Independence Day game. "It was planned," Baker said. "I was planning on doing it yesterday, but we talked about it and he loves playing on the Fourth of July. It's like his birthday, he said. So I told him I'll give you the next day...

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Wednesday morning Nats Q&A

July 04, 2017, 8:44pm

Nationals

Hope everybody out there had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day. I'm curious how Nationals fans feel about the annual 11:05 a.m. game. Seems like it's pretty popular, because it allows folks to both go to the game (or cover it) and still have plenty of time in the afternoon/evening for Fourth of July festivities. The Nats certainly had fun yesterday in trouncing the Mets 11-4. Joe Ross not only got his customary run support, but he pitched one of his best games of the season. And, of...

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Game 85 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

July 05, 2017, 11:07am

Nationals

The Nationals are going for a sweep of the Mets tonight, but in order to pull that off they'll need not only to beat Jacob deGrom but to do it without Bryce Harper in their lineup. Harper is getting a rare day off, only his second this season for a reason not involving minor injury or suspension. We'll find out shortly from Dusty Baker if there's anything else going on, but Harper certainly is deserving of getting a breather if that's all it is. Brian Goodwin takes over in right field, with...

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With extra pitch and extra stamina, Ross enjoying a resurgence

July 04, 2017, 11:52am

Nationals

With extra pitch and extra stamina, Ross enjoying a resurgence

It has happened quietly, and it hasn't garnered the kind of attention afforded other members of the Nationals rotation ... or the members of their lineup who seem to explode for double-digit runs every time he takes the mound. But one of the most encouraging developments of the last month, from the Nationals' perspective, has been the re-emergence of Joe Ross as something more than a No. 5 starter. It's still a work-in-progress, and the right-hander still needs to show this over a longer...

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Luke Erickson: Why the Syracuse Chiefs struggle

July 04, 2017, 3:12pm

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Why the Syracuse Chiefs struggle

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs won 61 games in 2016, surpassed by everyone in the International League but Omaha (58). The 2017 edition of the Chiefs is on pace to win just 53 games. In nine seasons of affiliation with the Nationals, the fans in Syracuse, as I've been reminded me on more than one occasion, have seen just two winning seasons - 2012 and 2014. One thing that needs to be made clear is that while Triple-A is the highest classification of the minors, it's no longer where you'll find...

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Nats provide Ross with big support again in 11-4 win over Mets

July 04, 2017, 10:23am

Nationals

Nats provide Ross with big support again in 11-4 win over Mets

Nobody brings out the best from the Nationals lineup like Joe Ross. Even though he doesn't throw a single pitch to any of its members. With Ross on the mound, the Nationals seem to turn what already is one of the most potent offensive groups in the majors into something otherworldy. And it happened again today, even with Dusty Baker sitting a bunch of his regulars for the early Independence Day game on South Capitol Street. A lineup anchored around Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and lesser names...

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Early Fourth of July fireworks at Nationals Park (Nats win 11-4)

July 04, 2017, 8:40am

Nationals

The big show is later tonight on the National Mall, but there already have been some early fireworks on South Capitol Street today. (Sorry, I believe I was legally obligated to make that hacky joke.) The Mets have launched two home runs off Joe Ross, including JosÃ© Reyes' shot down the right field line on the day's third pitch. The Nationals have scored a pair of runs themselves, but took the more traditional tact of manufacturing those. Reyes pounced on Ross' 0-2 fastball, sending it...

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Werth rehabbing in West Palm Beach, will join affiliate soon

July 04, 2017, 6:37am

Nationals

Werth rehabbing in West Palm Beach, will join affiliate soon

Jayson Werth has progressed in his recovery from a badly bruised foot, heading to West Palm Beach, Fla., to work out with the Nationals' Gulf Coast League club. Werth has been out since fouling a pitch off the inside of his left foot June 3 in Oakland, unable to even put weight on the foot for several weeks. He finally was able to start baseball activities last week, playing catch and jogging before games at Nationals Park. Now he's working out at the Nationals' spring training complex, and...

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Game 84 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

July 04, 2017, 4:43am

Nationals

Good morning to you from the nation's capital, where the Nationals and Mets will celebrate the national pastime with the traditional 11:05 a.m. Independence Day ballgame. The early start time always catches visiting teams and media by surprise, but I've always found this to be a cool tradition, and I sense fans like it as well. What better way to spend your Fourth of July than with baseball early and plenty of time afterward for barbeques and fireworks? The Nats and Mets will be a bit...

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Resilient Nats fight back to take opener in 3-2 walk-off over Mets

July 03, 2017, 6:43pm

Nationals

Resilient Nats fight back to take opener in 3-2 walk-off over Mets

When the ball hit off his bat, Ryan Raburn was hoping for the best. But he honestly wasn't sure whether he'd won the game for the Nationals or come up short with a flyout to left that would take the contest to the 10th inning. "I was watching the umpire," Raburn said of his walk-off single off Fernando Salas in the ninth inning that provided the Nationals a 3-2 victory over the Mets on Monday night. "I seen him (signal) safe. I was hoping it stayed that way, then I seen them talking, so I...

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Send Anthony Rendon to All-Star Game in Final Vote

July 02, 2017, 3:09pm

Nationals

Send Anthony Rendon to All-Star Game in Final Vote

Entering Sunday before the 2017 All-Star teams were announced, Anthony Rendon was batting .298 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs, already the most he's had for the first half of a season in his career. His .399 on-base percentage, .555 slugging percentage and .954 OPS led all qualifying National League third baseman. And his 3.4 WAR currently ranks first among all major league third basemen, third overall in the league and fifth in all of baseball. Oh, and have you seen what he can do with his...

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Baker on juggling days off against desire to win (Nats win 3-2)

July 03, 2017, 1:26pm

Nationals

Baker on juggling days off against desire to win (Nats win 3-2)

Daniel Murphy's omission from Monday's starting lineup was a clear indication that Nationals manager Dusty Baker is still keen on using the final week before the All-Star break to give his key players a rest here and there. All the Nationals' All-Star second baseman has done since bolting Flushing for D.C. is torch the Mets, his former team and the first squad up on a seven-game homestand heading into the break. In 29 career games against his ex-Mets mates, Murphy is slashing .391/.441/.704...

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On Harper's homers, Taylor's table-setting and the Mets

July 02, 2017, 8:52pm

Nationals

On Harper's homers, Taylor's table-setting and the Mets

ST. LOUIS - More thoughts on Sunday night's 7-2 Nationals victory at Busch Stadium before heading home ... * Does any major league hitter enjoy playing on the big stage more than Bryce Harper? We've seen Harper go bonkers on opening day. We've seen him come through on Independence Day. We've seen him launch towering home runs in the postseason. And we saw him show off in front of a national television audience Sunday night. Harper homered in each of his first two at-bats, twice connecting...