nationals

Span's defense sets tone, center fielder says Nats needs to "settle down"

October 04, 2014, 4:56am

The way you come out and play defense can set the tone for the game and send your teammates the clear signal that you will do everything in your power to make it a tough afternoon for your opponent. Center fielder Denard Span set the tone early for the Nationals in Game 1 of the National League Division series against the Giants by making some big catches in the first inning behind starter Stephen Strasburg. Span tracked down long drives by the first two Giants hitters, Gregor Blanco and Joe...

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Red October: All set for Game 1 at Nationals Park

October 02, 2014, 6:00pm

Nationals

We're back and ready for baseball! Olivia and Bobby here with you for the Game 1 of the NLDS. Like we blogged yesterday, we'll be here all through the series, bringing you behind-the-scenes looks at the Nationals. So, be sure to follow along with MASN on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. We'll keep updating this blog, so check in throughout the day to see what's new leading up to and during the game. Let's get started! 9 a.m. - Bobby - As expected, Stephen Strasburg will get...

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Desmond can't hide disappointment after difficult day

October 03, 2014, 4:30pm

Nationals

Desmond can't hide disappointment after difficult day

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond couldn't hide the disappointment. Losing the first game of the best-of-five National League Division Series was one thing, but twice failing to come through with runners in scoring position and striking out on both occasions obviously left a bad taste in his mouth. "We were in it the whole way," he said after the Nats' 3-2 loss in Game 1 of the NLDS at Nationals Park. "We battled back. It just wasn't enough today." The Nationals may have rebounded from a...

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Peavy edges Strasburg as Giants take series opener

October 03, 2014, 4:35pm

Nationals

Peavy edges Strasburg as Giants take series opener

The Giants defeated the Nationals 3-2 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday, with Jake Peavy outpitching Stephen Strasburg. But it wasn't like the Giants were teeing off on Strasburg. They had no extra-base hits until Strasburg had departed, but their eight singles were damaging enough. In turn, the Nationals were unable to avoid the Giants' gloves, minus two huge home runs from Bryce Harper and Asdrubal Cabrera. Strasburg did not believe the location of all of the Giants...

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Harper and Cabrera crank homers, but Giants win 3-2

October 03, 2014, 11:27am

Nationals

Harper and Cabrera crank homers, but Giants win 3-2

Game 1 of the National League Division series is under way in Washington, D.C. It is only the fourth home playoff game in the nation's capital since 1933. Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg induced three flyouts to begin the game. Giants right-hander Jake Peavy walked Jayson Werth with two outs in the bottom of the first. He was the first baserunner for either team. But Adam LaRoche struck out to end the inning. Update: Peavy has managed to get swinging strikeouts to end the first two...

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Williams on Roark's role and who will pinch-run in NLDS

October 03, 2014, 9:08am

Nationals

Williams on Roark's role and who will pinch-run in NLDS

Manager Matt Williams spoke with the media prior to the National League Division series opener Friday at Nationals Park. Williams confirmed that right-hander Tanner Roark will come out of the bullpen in the series. Williams was asked if he planned this 25-man roster with specialists in mind or preferred long men coming out of the pen. "With the days off, especially the first round with the days off, you have those options," Williams said. "Nobody is ever going to have to go three days in a...

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Williams discusses roster decisions involving Soriano, Detwiler, Hairston

October 03, 2014, 9:14am

Nationals

Williams discusses roster decisions involving Soriano, Detwiler, Hairston

The Nationals' starting lineup for Game 1 of the National League Division Series didn't feature any surprises. The back end of the team's 25-man roster might have surprised some. The Nationals opted to put Rafael Soriano on their roster for the NLDS, while Ross Detwiler was left out of the eight-man bullpen. Detwiler had one clunker down the stretch, allowing three runs in an inning against the Braves, but was unscored upon in seven of his eight September appearances. Soriano was tremendous...

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NLDS notebook: Williams on Zimmerman, Porter gets new gig, Morse sits, Hudson retreats

October 03, 2014, 10:03am

Nationals

NLDS notebook: Williams on Zimmerman, Porter gets new gig, Morse sits, Hudson retreats

Reading between the lines of Nationals manager Matt Williams' comments in his media session this morning, Ryan Zimmerman could be pointing toward a start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series when the Giants start left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Zimmerman said yesterday that he is comfortable coming off the bench, and that will be his role today in Game 1. Williams opted to start Anthony Rendon at third base and Bryce Harper in left field, so Zimmerman will be a bat in reserve. But...

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Here's your Game 1 Nationals lineup (with Giants lineup)

October 03, 2014, 6:50am

Nationals

The Nationals lineup for Game 1 of the National League Division Series looks a lot like the Nationals lineup for the last handful of weeks of the regular season. As expected, Ryan Zimmerman will come off the bench, with Anthony Rendon staying at third base and the Nats' regular outfield remaining in place. For the GiantsCF Gregor Blanco2B Joe PanikC Buster Posey3B Pablo SandovalRF Hunter Pence1B Brandon BeltSS Brandon CrawfordLF Travis IshikawaRHP Jake Peavy For the NationalsCF Denard Span 3B...

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Opposite dugout: Streaky Giants bring postseason experience to NLDS vs. Nats

October 03, 2014, 5:13am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Streaky Giants bring postseason experience to NLDS vs. Nats

Manager: Bruce Bochy, eighth year Regular season record: 88-74 Last 10 games: 5-5, including NL wild card win Who to watch: C Buster Posey (.311/.364/.490, 28 doubles, 22 HR, 89 RBIs); RF Hunter Pence (.277/.332/.445, 29 doubles, 10 triples, 20 HR, 74 RBIs, 106 R); RHP Jake Peavy (6-4, 2.17 ERA, 1.04 WHIP); RHP Tim Hudson (9-13, 3.57 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-5, 30 runs scored, 41 runs allowed Pitching probables Game 1, Oct. 3: Jake Peavy vs. Stephen Strasburg, 3 p.m., FS1 Game...

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Soriano and Schierholtz make NLDS roster, Detwiler and Hairston do not

October 03, 2014, 6:08am

Nationals

Soriano and Schierholtz make NLDS roster, Detwiler and Hairston do not

The Nationals' Natonal League Division Series roster has been announced and features 12 pitchers (three left-handed, nine right-handed) and 13 position players (two catchers, seven infielders, four outfielders). There had been some question as to whether or not reliever Rafael Soriano would make the NLDS roster. The veteran right-hander has indeed made the Nats' group of 25. Instead, the Nationals left Ross Detwiler off the roster. He played an important role in keeping the Nationals in the...

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Nationals set NLDS roster

October 03, 2014, 6:42am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today announced their 25-man roster for the 2014 NLDS against the San Francisco Giants. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Washington's roster will consist of 12 pitchers (three left-handed pitchers, nine right-handed pitchers) and 13 position players (two catchers, seven infielders, four outfielders): Pitchers LHP Jerry Blevins LHP Gio Gonzalez LHP Matt Thornton RHP Aaron Barrett RHP Tyler Clippard RHP...

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Strasburg ready to deal with the emotion of his first playoff start

October 03, 2014, 4:40am

Nationals

Strasburg ready to deal with the emotion of his first playoff start

Happy postseason, folks. Playoff baseball officially started three days ago. Nationals players and fans have had to wait patiently for their time to come, but we're now just a few hours away from the start of the National League Division Series and Stephen Strasburg's first pitch. It won't just be Strasburg's first pitch of this postseason, of course. It'll be the first playoff start of his career, the first time he's taken to a big league mound in October. And there's a lot of pressure...

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Jake Peavy: "I'm a Stephen Strasburg fan"

October 03, 2014, 3:55am

Nationals

Jake Peavy: "I'm a Stephen Strasburg fan"

Veteran pitcher who has seen it all vs. rising fireballer who watched him growing up. New buddy vs. new buddy. Workout partner vs. workout partner. Nationals vs. Giants. In Game 1 of the National League Division Series, right-hander Jake Peavy will face right-hander Stephen Strasburg. San Diegan vs. San Diegan. Or is it San Diego-an? Will Ferrell, help me out here. It is San Diegan, of course. Either way, the two righties who exchanged texts throughout the season now pitch against each other...

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Red October: Prepping for the postseason

October 01, 2014, 5:32am

Nationals

Red October: Prepping for the postseason

Hey, Nats Nation. Olivia and Bobby here. The NLDS is almost here, and we're taking you along for our journey every step of the way. When the Nationals head to San Francisco, we'll be along for the ride, documenting our trip through tweets, Facebook updates, Instagram, this blog and even on Snapchat! So, click on the links above to get started. We're so excited to show you behind-the-scenes looks at your favorite team and sights of the ballpark! We'll keep adding updates to the top of this...

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NLDS notebook: Hearing from Ramos, Zimmerman and Williams

October 02, 2014, 9:06am

Nationals

NLDS notebook: Hearing from Ramos, Zimmerman and Williams

Wilson Ramos may play in his first postseason game tomorrow, and could catch right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who will be making his playoff debut in the opening game of the best-of-five National League Division Series. October inexperience aside, Ramos had an interesting response when he was asked this afternoon whether Strasburg was mature enough the the marquee assignment. "That's a good question, because it's not easy starting the first game of the playoffs," said Ramos, who missed the...

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Bochy on Nats: "They really don't have a weakness" (with Morse update)

October 02, 2014, 1:19pm

Nationals

Bochy on Nats: "They really don't have a weakness" (with Morse update)

Giants manager Bruce Bochy had nothing but compliments for the Nationals in his Thursday afternoon media session. But that's what you'd expect from a wise veteran manager who is more interested in preparing his club for the National League Division Series than lighting a fire under the opposition. "They have the best record in the National League," Bochy said of the Nats. "You know, they have such a balanced club, starting pitching, bullpen, their lineup. You know, they have been tough on...

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Zimmerman on his hamstring: "It keeps feeling better and better each day"

October 02, 2014, 11:39am

Nationals

Zimmerman on his hamstring: "It keeps feeling better and better each day"

The deeper the Nationals are able to go into the playoffs, the more Ryan Zimmerman's right hamstring will have a chance to get back to full strength. For now, Zimmerman will have to continue plugging away, hoping he can get healthy as soon as possible and willing to contribute as much as he can prior to that. Zimmerman took part in yesterday's intrasquad scrimmage at Nationals Park, playing left field and getting some at-bats to continue to try and hone his timing. He then took BP and shagged...

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Nats set rotation for first three games of NLDS (plus more notes)

October 02, 2014, 9:05am

Nationals

Nats set rotation for first three games of NLDS (plus more notes)

When the Nationals made the postseason in 2012, right-hander Stephen Strasburg had been shut down for the season after reaching an innings limit in the season following Tommy John surgery. This time around, Strasburg will get the ball for the first postseason game the Nats play. Manager Matt Williams announced this afternoon that Strasburg will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Giants. Strasburg will be followed by right-handers Jordan Zimmermann, who will start...

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The experience factor

October 02, 2014, 5:48am

Nationals

After three days of relative quiet, Nationals Park will open its doors to the media again late this morning, as the Nats will hold their league-mandated workout leading up to the National League Division Series. Nationals players had Monday off, then a heavy workout at the park on Tuesday, followed by an intrasquad scrimmage on Wednesday. Those sessions were closed to the public and the media. Now they'll have a light workout on the field again today, this one with plenty of cameras and...