nationals

Kershaw probably won't pitch on short rest, but Dodgers skipper Roberts says there are "no absolutes"

October 08, 2016, 12:53pm

Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw went through his usual post-start workout Saturday at Nationals Park with no problems, but that doesn't increase the chances Kershaw will pitch on short rest in Game 4 of the National League Division Series in Los Angeles. "I just don't see it happening,'' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday after Game 2 was postponed until Sunday afternoon at 1:08 p.m. Of course, situations can change, especially if the Dodgers are down to the Nationals 2-1 in the...

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NLDS Game 2 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

October 08, 2016, 8:59am

Nationals

It's a gray, dreary afternoon in the District, perhaps appropriate given the mood around here after last night's frustrating 4-3 loss in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The Nationals are basically in must-win territory today in Game 2, not a position they want to be in, but the position they find themselves in regardless. Tanner Roark, though, is a good person to have on the mound for a situation like this. You know Roark isn't going to let the pressure get to him. And you...

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Nats fans respond to team's pleas with electric postseason crowd

October 08, 2016, 9:21am

Nationals

Nats fans respond to team's pleas with electric postseason crowd

Come early. Wear red. Be loud. Stay for the whole game. That was the message the Nationals and some in the local media were trying to get across to fans before the National League Division Series against the Dodgers began Friday in D.C. Message received. Nationals fans were out in full force for Game 1 at Nats Park, and although the Dodgers jumped out to an early lead and won the game 4-3, the stadium was electric throughout, with fans standing and being loud from the start. And the Nationals...

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Rich Hill remembers his time with the Nats: "Great organization"

October 07, 2016, 7:04pm

Nationals

Rich Hill remembers his time with the Nats: "Great organization"

Dodgers Game 2 starter Rich Hill had a very good spring training with the Nationals in 2015, but the club ultimately chose Xavier Cedeno for the opening day roster. Hill had finished with a 2.25 ERA in nine spring training games, making him one of the last cuts in the bullpen. "Yeah, a great organization," the left-hander said. "Enjoyed the time that we had here in spring training, the guys here in spring training. Just the camaraderie that they had, the intensity of Max Scherzer, watching...

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Nationals lament missed opportunity to beat vulnerable Kershaw

October 07, 2016, 7:26pm

Nationals

There were two ways for the Nationals to look at their offensive performance in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The glass-half-full way: They put pressure on Clayton Kershaw all night, with nine men reaching base against the Dodgers ace, who was pulled after only five innings. And they kept that pressure up against the Los Angeles bullpen, ultimately giving themselves 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position during the course of a game they initially trailed by four runs. The...

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NLDS notebook: Baker defends Murphy's unsuccessful dash to second

October 07, 2016, 6:33pm

Nationals

NLDS notebook: Baker defends Murphy's unsuccessful dash to second

Nationals manager Dusty Baker was his usual aggressive self in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The Nats pulled off a successful double steal, setting the stage for Anthony Rendon's two-run single in the third inning, but an unsuccessful theft attempt by Daniel Murphy in the seventh cost the Nats a scoring opportunity in a 4-3 loss to the Dodgers. With one out, Murphy drew a walk off Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez. With Rendon, who had already singled twice, at the plate, Murphy...

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Clutch hit eludes Nats once again in Game 1 loss to Dodgers

October 07, 2016, 5:24pm

Nationals

Clutch hit eludes Nats once again in Game 1 loss to Dodgers

The pessimistic view of Game 1 of the National League Division Series will suggest that this looked awfully familiar. The Nationals ace didn't live up to the hype, surrendering a couple of big blows. The lineup gave itself countless opportunities with men in scoring position and couldn't deliver. The end result: a one-run loss that leaves this club facing an uphill battle in this best-of-five series. Tonight's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers bore plenty of resemblance to the Nationals' three losses...

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Scherzer's slider not his best, two homers doomed Nats in Game 1

October 07, 2016, 6:40pm

Nationals

Scherzer's slider not his best, two homers doomed Nats in Game 1

Right-hander Max Scherzer has allowed more home runs than he would like this season. The Dodgers followed that formula to a 4-3 win in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday. Despite 20 wins this season, Scherzer has allowed 33 home runs. Corey Seager and Justin Turner hit home runs Friday to lift the Dodgers to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. "I made some mistakes that cost me, giving up those two home runs," Scherzer said. "Really feel like that was the difference...

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Strong effort by bullpen saves Kershaw after rare clunker in NLDS Game 1

October 07, 2016, 6:41pm

Nationals

Strong effort by bullpen saves Kershaw after rare clunker in NLDS Game 1

The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw turned in rare clunker of a pitching performance Friday night at Nationals Park. He allowed three runs for the first time since June 26. He threw 101 pitches in five innings, the first time he's been that inefficient in two seasons. Yet thanks to a steady stream of lockdown relief pitchers, the Dodgers beat the Nationals 4-3 and have a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five National League Division Series. "I felt like I had decent stuff, but I had to grind out...

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Nats rally comes up short in 4-3 loss to Dodgers

October 07, 2016, 2:09pm

Nationals

Nats rally comes up short in 4-3 loss to Dodgers

Right-hander Max Scherzer struck out Chase Utley to begin the National League Division Series and the sellout crowd at Nationals Park went crazy. But shortstop Corey Seager crushed the first offering after the strikeout, a 96 mph four-seam fastball, well over the center field fence, for a 1-0 Dodgers lead over the Nationals. Left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced his presence by striking out the side in the bottom of the first employing three different out pitches. He got Trea Turner on a...

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Dusty Baker explains final NLDS roster decisions

October 07, 2016, 10:19am

Nationals

Dusty Baker explains final NLDS roster decisions

The Nationals' decision to carry only seven relievers with a six-man bench for the National League Division Series boiled down their opponent for this first round of the playoffs and the fact that several of their position players are still dealing with nagging ailments. Manager Dusty Baker said the Dodgers' left-handed-laden lineup necessitated the carrying of three lefties in his NLDS bullpen. And with Daniel Murphy (buttocks), Bryce Harper (thumb), Jayson Werth (back), Ryan Zimmerman...

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Strasburg throws off bullpen mound for first time since injury

October 07, 2016, 12:50pm

Nationals

Strasburg throws off bullpen mound for first time since injury

Whatever hope Stephen Strasburg has of pitching for the Nationals again this season got a boost today when the right-hander threw off a bullpen mound for the first time since he injured his elbow against the Braves on Sept. 7. The bullpen session was brief, roughly 25 pitches over perhaps 10 minutes, but it did represent a significant step for Strasburg in his longshot attempt to return in time to help the Nationals this postseason. The Nationals did not include Strasburg on their 25-man roster...

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Game 2 starter Roark on past playoff losses: "It irks a lot of guys"

October 07, 2016, 10:23am

Nationals

Game 2 starter Roark on past playoff losses: "It irks a lot of guys"

The Nationals officially announced what many expected for more than a week: Right-hander Tanner Roark will start Game 2 of the National League Division Series versus the Dodgers on Saturday. Manager Dusty Baker also confirmed that left-hander Gio Gonzalez will start Game 3 in Los Angeles on Monday. Roark earned the start by going 16-10 with a 2.83 ERA over 210 innings. Roark went 7 1/3 innings in his only start against the Dodgers this season in Los Angeles on June 22. He allowed three runs on...

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NLDS Game 1 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers

October 07, 2016, 9:30am

Nationals

The day has come at last. It's been a long wait since the Nationals clinched the National League East title 13 days ago. But this afternoon, the postseason begins in D.C. It's Game 1 of the National League Division Series, and it's as good a pitching matchup as you can get: Max Scherzer vs. Clayton Kershaw. The two aces will take center stage and draw most of the attention in the buildup to the game, but there are other storylines to this one as well. Such as the significant presence of...

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Nats go with seven relievers for NLDS (Roark starting Game 2)

October 07, 2016, 6:16am

Nationals

Nats go with seven relievers for NLDS (Roark starting Game 2)

The Nationals' finalized roster for the National League Division Series includes only seven relievers but six bench players, not to mention several notable names left out altogether. For their best-of-five series with the Dodgers, the Nationals opted to carry only 11 total pitchers. That leaves a seven-man bullpen of closer Mark Melancon; right-handers Shawn Kelley, Blake Treinen and Reynaldo Lopez; and left-handers Marc Rzepczynski, Sammy Solis and Oliver Perez. Among those left out of the...

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Opposite dugout: Dodgers, Kershaw have rough postseason history of their own

October 06, 2016, 12:33pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Dodgers, Kershaw have rough postseason history of their own

Manager: Dave Roberts (1st season) Record: 91-71 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Corey Seager (.308/.365/.512 with 26 HR, 72 RBIs), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.285/.349/.435 with 18 HR, 90 RBIs), 3B Justin Turner (.275/.339/.439 with 27 HR, 90 RBIs), LHP Clayton Kerhsaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (1.83 ERA with 47 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-1 Pitching probables: Oct. 7: LHP Clayton Kerhsaw vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 5:30 p.m., FS1 Oct. 8: LHP Rich Hill vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 4 p.m.,...

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Nationals announce 2016 NLDS roster

October 07, 2016, 6:54am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced their 2016 National League Division Series roster on Friday, in advance of the series' opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. President of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals' NLDS roster is comprised of 11 pitchers (seven right-handed pitchers, four left-handed pitchers), two catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders. The Nationals will mix veteran experience with youthful exuberance as...

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Scherzer vs. Kershaw: "I don't expect for it to be a blowout"

October 06, 2016, 1:57pm

Nationals

Scherzer vs. Kershaw: "I don't expect for it to be a blowout"

Sometimes a postseason series matchup doesn't have to be hyped up any more than with a simple mention of last names. Schilling vs. Clemens. Halladay vs. Carpenter. Bumgarner vs. Syndergaard. And now ... Scherzer vs. Kershaw. It would be difficult to conjure up a better pitching showdown for Game 1 of the National League Division Series than the one that will be on display later this afternoon at Nationals Park. Clayton Kershaw is a three-time Cy Young Award winner, an MVP and just put together...

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Werth believes experience carries weight for his club in NLDS

October 07, 2016, 3:56am

Nationals

Werth believes experience carries weight for his club in NLDS

Left fielder Jayson Werth is making his eighth playoff appearance today. He brings a wealth of knowledge of how to perform well in important moments. In 2008 and 2009, he appeared in the World Series. He brings experience to a Nationals club that has good amount of guys that made it to the postseason in 2012 and 2014 and he knows that experience is worth something. "This is my team. We've been through it," Werth said. "This is our third trip to the postseason. We're battle-tested, we're...

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Difo makes roster, three lefties in 'pen, no Game 2 starter yet

October 06, 2016, 11:58am

Nationals

Difo makes roster, three lefties in 'pen, no Game 2 starter yet

The Nationals' roster for the National League Division Series will include Wilmer Difo on the bench and three lefties in the bullpen. It probably won't include both Clint Robinson and Ben Revere, though, with room only for one of those reserves. Dusty Baker revealed some aspects of his club's roster for the NLDS against the Dodgers during today's news conference at Nationals Park, but the manager couldn't reveal everything. Baker also acknowledged some decisions have yet to be made,...