nationals

Wild card roster features nine pitchers, eight on bench

October 01, 2019, 6:37am

The Nationals roster for tonight's wild card game includes four members of their rotation, only five members of their usual bullpen, three catchers and an eight-man bench. Suffice it to say, the strategy for this do-or-die game against the Brewers is just a bit different than it is for any other game in the regular season or postseason. The Nationals announced their 25-man roster this morning, and while most of the names come as no surprise, there are a few twists. Most notably, the Nats...

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After the grind of 162, season comes down to one game

September 30, 2019, 8:12pm

Nationals

After the grind of 162, season comes down to one game

There are very few flukes in baseball. This sport requires every team to play 162 games, and after 162 games the best teams almost always emerge from the pack and prove their worthiness over others. Some clubs get off to hot starts, then are exposed over the long haul. Others need some time to come together before going on a sustained run. Some are fortunate enough to play at a consistently effective rate straight through from opening day to the season finale. Point is, after 162 games we know...

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Eaton's plan for wild card success: "Turn it down"

October 01, 2019, 3:51am

Nationals

Eaton's plan for wild card success: "Turn it down"

This is Nationals right fielder Adam Eaton's eighth season in the major leagues, but tonight's National League wild card game against the Brewers at Nats Park will be his first playoff experience. "I'm excited. Kind of wait your whole life for this," Eaton said. "Not just professionally (but) even in high school and middle school when you're 10, 12 years old. You dream about getting the big hit in the playoffs or just getting into the playoffs, getting on a big stage like beyond...

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With season at stake, Nationals put their faith in Scherzer

September 30, 2019, 1:41pm

Nationals

When he takes the mound shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, Max Scherzer will bear the weight of the Nationals' season on his broad shoulders. There are no do-overs. There's no chance to come back the next day and make up for whatever happened the previous one. The National League wild card game is their one and only shot to keep their season alive and advance to a full, five-game Division Series against the Dodgers. And they've chosen to entrust Scherzer with this assignment. That wouldn't...

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Soto's and Robles' all-around play takes center stage in postseason

September 30, 2019, 1:26pm

Nationals

Soto's and Robles' all-around play takes center stage in postseason

Nationals center fielder Victor Robles was on the 2017 National League Divisional Series roster and played in two games against the Cubs, scoring a run in Game 2 and going 0-for-1 with a strikeout in Game 5. But Tuesday's National League wild card game against the Brewers will be his first postseason start. "It's the same game," Robles said via team translator Octavio Martinez. "Trying to maintain and contain my excitement inside and not let it get to me. I got out there any way I can to...

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Late injuries slow Brewers' amazing September surge

September 30, 2019, 3:28am

Nationals

Late injuries slow Brewers' amazing September surge

The Brewers arrive in D.C. not at 100 percent. They're already missing their best hitter, Christian Yelich, who is out for the season. Now outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun are hurting from their series in Denver against the Rockies. But even with a sweep at the hands of the Rockies yesterday, the Brewers still finished September on an incredible run, going 20-7. On Sept. 5 they were 7 1/2 games in back of the Cardinals in the National League Central, but then came within one game of...

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Nats have decisions to make before finalizing wild card roster

September 29, 2019, 8:52pm

Nationals

Nats have decisions to make before finalizing wild card roster

For the last month, the Nationals have been playing with an expanded roster, 36 players in total, which has allowed Davey Martinez to never run out of bats off his bench or arms in his bullpen. It's the luxury of September baseball - at least until next fall, when rosters will be reduced to 28 - but it's not allowed come October. Which means Martinez and the Nationals now must pare those 36 active players into a 25-man roster for Tuesday's National League wild card game. It's not as simple...

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Brewers sizzle down stretch, but injuries could hamper deep run in postseason

September 30, 2019, 5:58am

Nationals

Brewers sizzle down stretch, but injuries could hamper deep run in postseason

The Brewers won a playoff spot without the injured Christian Yelich, a 44-home run guy that was a candidate to repeat as the National League MVP. Now, they'll come to D.C. on Tuesday night to take on the Nationals in the wild card game with a former NL MVP, left fielder Ryan Braun, battling a strained left calf. It could be that the Brewers will be without center fielder Lorenzo Cain, slowed by a sprained left ankle. Cain hit .306 in September. The Brewers could go from a power-hitting team to...

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Barrett returns to pitch at Nats Park for first time in four seasons

September 29, 2019, 3:31pm

Nationals

Barrett returns to pitch at Nats Park for first time in four seasons

There were a lot of special moments for the Nats during the regular season that ended with today's 8-2 win over the Indians, but one of biggest to tug at the heart strings was the return of reliever Aaron Barrett. The right-hander came back to the big leagues after multiple setbacks, surgeries and rehabs in early September to pitch for the Nationals for the first time since 2015. Barrett tossed one shutout inning in relief Sept. 7 at Atlanta. Afterward, he cried uncontrollably in the dugout...

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Nats complete huge turnaround with perfect homestand (updated)

September 29, 2019, 2:00pm

Nationals

Nats complete huge turnaround with perfect homestand (updated)

A Nationals regular season that began with endless promise, bottomed out in late May but then kicked into high gear for a long time came to an end this afternoon with an 8-2 victory over the Indians and a most impressive 93-69 record few could've predicted four months ago. Next up: One game Tuesday night against the Brewers to decide whether they'll get a chance to make amends for past October failures. The Nationals will host Milwaukee in the National League wild card game, an 8 p.m....

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After final tune-up today, Nats begin planning for Tuesday

September 29, 2019, 10:27am

Nationals

After final tune-up today, Nats begin planning for Tuesday

With nothing at stake in today's regular season finale, Davey Martinez should be able to enjoy a rare, stress-free afternoon at the ballpark. The Nationals manager insists that will not be the case. "No, they're all stressful," he said with a laugh. "I love what I do. I enjoy what I do, but ... you know, I wear whatever these guys do. I want 'em all to do good. So it doesn't matter who's playing. As long as you're wearing the Nationals uniform, I want 'em all to do good." Martinez...

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Game 162 lineups: Nats vs. Indians

September 29, 2019, 7:32am

Nationals

It's Game 162, which has meant many different things over the years. Sometimes it's a celebration of a great regular season and final prep for the Division Series. Sometimes it's a meaningful game to determine a postseason berth or home-field advantage. Sometimes it's the end of a long road that won't continue. For the Nationals, this Game 162 is simply a bridge between a week's worth of big games and Tuesday's wild card showdown. The only thing at stake is a chance to finish 93-69,...

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Scherzer "building up" for Tuesday wild card start

September 29, 2019, 4:18am

Nationals

Scherzer "building up" for Tuesday wild card start

Nationals manager Davey Martinez confirmed his ace, Max Scherzer, will get the start in Tuesday's National League wild card game at Nats Park. The first pitch will be a little after 8 p.m. against the Brewers or the Cardinals. It will mark Scherzer's 14th postseason start. Colorado beat Milwaukee 3-2 in 10 innings and the Cubs toppled the Cardinals 8-6 yesterday. St. Louis leads the Brewers by one game for the NL Central title. If the Cardinals lose today and the Brewers win, they will have a...

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Soto and Suzuki lift Ross early (Nats win 8-2)

September 29, 2019, 12:05pm

Nationals

Soto and Suzuki lift Ross early (Nats win 8-2)

In the final game of the regular season, the Nats got on the board in the first inning against Mike Clevinger and the Indians. Trea Turner singled and stole second base. After two outs, Juan Soto doubled to right field to score Turner. In the top of the third, the Indians answered back with a solo homer from Francisco Lindor over the right field wall off Nats starter Joe Ross. It was his 32nd homer of the season. He also led off the game with a double. In the bottom of the third, Kurt Suzuki...

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Nats turn to offense to secure home field Tuesday with 10-7 win

September 28, 2019, 4:22pm

Nationals

Nats turn to offense to secure home field Tuesday with 10-7 win

The Nationals raced out to a big early lead, then held off the Indians the rest of the way for a 10-7 victory over the Indians at Nats Park. The win guarantees the Nats home field advantage for Tuesday's National League wild card game. After starting the season 19-31, the Nats rebounded to go 72-38 (.655), and are now 92-69 with one game remaining in the regular season. Gerardo Parra crushed his second grand slam of the season, Anthony Rendon delivered a two-run double in a nine-run second...

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Game 161 lineups: Nats vs. Indians

September 28, 2019, 7:21am

Nationals

With a win today versus Cleveland, the Nationals will secure home field advantage for Tuesday's National League wild card game. They can also grab home field if the Rockies upend the Brewers again tonight in Denver. Former Nats left-hander Gio GonzÃ¡lez starts for the Brewers at Colorado with first pitch set for 8:10 p.m. ET. So the Nats will know where they stand prior to that game getting underway. The Nats are surging again at the right time, winning six in a row and eight of their last...

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Suzuki catches, Kendrick plays second, Parra breaks out

September 27, 2019, 7:52pm

Nationals

Suzuki catches, Kendrick plays second, Parra breaks out

These final games of the regular season are, first and foremost, about trying to lock up home field advantage for the wild card game, which the Nationals can now do if they simply win one of their two remaining games against the Indians. But they're also about putting everyone in the best possible position heading into Tuesday night's winner-take-all game against either the Brewers or Cardinals. Which means there's a concerted effort right now to give all the key participants whatever...

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Robles under the weather, Suzuki feeling good after Saturday start (Nats win 10-7)

September 28, 2019, 11:09am

Nationals

Robles under the weather, Suzuki feeling good after Saturday start (Nats win 10-7)

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Victor Robles was a late scratch for today's game, Game 2 of the series against the Indians, because his young center fielder was under the weather. Veteran Gerardo Parra takes Robles' place in center field, batting seventh. "He's sick. We got a lot of guys sick but he came in today not feeling good," Martinez said. "I didn't want to chance him because the way he play all of a sudden he's dehydrated and something happens. If he feels better I'd...

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Nationals keep rolling at home, win sixth straight (updated)

September 27, 2019, 5:49pm

Nationals

The final week of the regular season was supposed to represent a daunting challenge to the Nationals, who assumed all along they were going to have to come up big against a pair of fellow contenders in the Phillies and Indians just to sneak into the playoffs. The Nationals indeed have come up big this week. They've won six in a row. And because of that, they remain in the driver's seat to host Tuesday's National League wild card game while also sending these two opponents to...

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Rendon, Strasburg, Doolittle are award winners (Nats up 7-2)

September 27, 2019, 3:55pm

Nationals

Rendon, Strasburg, Doolittle are award winners (Nats up 7-2)

Anthony Rendon's brilliant season might not quite be enough to earn the National League MVP award, but it was plenty good to be honored as the Nationals' best player of 2019. Rendon was named the Nationals' Player of the Year, one of three end-of-season award winners revealed before tonight's game against the Indians. Rendon joins Stephen Strasburg (Pitcher of the Year) and Sean Doolittle (Good Guy Award) as this season's honorees, selected by local media members. Rendon was a no-brainer...