nationals

Strasburg strong to start in Game 1 (Cubs win 3-0)

October 06, 2017, 4:00pm

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg came out strong to begin National League Division Series Game 1 against the Chicago Cubs. The Nationals starter struck out two in the first inning, getting both Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo swinging. Strasburg began the second by catching Willson Contreras looking at a third strike. With two outs, he walked Addison Russell, but then induced a towering fly ball to right field from Jason Heyward to end the frame. The Nats got a one-out single by Bryce Harper in the...

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Baker explains final NLDS roster decisions (Jones suspended)

October 06, 2017, 3:01pm

Nationals

Baker explains final NLDS roster decisions (Jones suspended)

In assembling the final spots for their National League Division Series roster, the Nationals had two priorities in mind: speed and defense on their bench, and a bunch of lefties in their bullpen. Manager Dusty Baker explained why, after several days of deliberations, the club's decision-makers settled on rookies Brian Goodwin and Victor Robles as backup outfielders, and Oliver PÃ©rez, Sammy SolÃs and Enny Romero as left-handed members of their seven-man bullpen. The Nationals became...

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NLDS Game 1 lineups: Nats vs. Cubs

October 06, 2017, 11:00am

Nationals

It feels like we've been waiting around for this postseason for an extraordinarily long time. The Nationals clinched their division title way back on Sept. 10, but truth be told, they knew a lot earlier than that they were going to win the National League East and make the postseason. And they've known for most of that time they almost certainly were going to face the Cubs in the National League Division Series. Well, at long last the day has come. It's Oct. 6, and a highly anticipated...

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Scherzer throws in bullpen, announced as Game 3 starter

October 06, 2017, 1:45pm

Nationals

Scherzer throws in bullpen, announced as Game 3 starter

What had previously been clear but not announced was made official by Dusty Baker this afternoon: Gio Gonzalez will start Game 2 of the National League Division Series for the Nats, with Max Scherzer starting Game 3. That decision was made by the Nationals earlier in the week, but was held back for public consumption until they were confident Scherzer would be ready to pitch Monday's Game 3 at Wrigley Field. They were finally ready to make the announcement today, with Scherzer completing a...

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Opposite dugout: Defending champion Cubs begin postseason with bull's-eye on their backs

October 05, 2017, 9:21am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Defending champion Cubs begin postseason with bull's-eye on their backs

Manager: Joe Maddon (4th season) Record: 92-70 (won NL Central) Who to watch: 3B Kris Bryant (.295/.409/.537 with 29 HR, 73 RBIs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (32 HR, 109 RBIs), C Willson Contreras (23 HR, 75 RBIs), LF Kyle Schwarber (30 HR, 59 RBIs), RHP Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.03 ERA), RHP Jake Arrieta (14-10, 3.53 ERA), LHP Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (2.30 ERA, 32 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-4 Pitching probables: Oct. 6: RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:31 p.m.,...

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NLDS roster includes Goodwin, Robles, Romero, Lobaton

October 06, 2017, 6:55am

Nationals

NLDS roster includes Goodwin, Robles, Romero, Lobaton

The Nationals are carrying four left-handed relievers and an extra bench player for the National League Division Series, ultimately choosing to take a chance on young players like Brian Goodwin, Victor Robles and Enny Romero over veterans or a long reliever. The Nationals will have a seven-man bullpen for their best-of-five series against the Cubs. Closer Sean Doolittle is joined by right-handed setup men Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler and Matt Albers, plus a trio of lefties who can be used to...

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NLDS preview: Nats under pressure, Cubs playing loose

October 05, 2017, 2:19pm

Nationals

NLDS preview: Nats under pressure, Cubs playing loose

They took over first place in the National League East Division for good on April 18. They led by at least five games every day since May 3, by at least 10 games every day since July 17, by at least 15 games every day since Aug. 30. And they clinched the division title on Sept. 10, a full 26 days before they'll take the field tonight for their postseason opener. The Nationals, through no fault of their own, have not had to play a truly meaningful game in quite some time, and barely had to play...

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Nationals announce 2017 NLDS roster

October 06, 2017, 6:46am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced their 2017 National League Division Series roster on Friday, in advance of the series' opening game against the Chicago Cubs. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals' NLDS roster is comprised of 11 pitchers (six right-handed pitchers, five left-handed pitchers), two catchers, six infielders and six outfielders. The Nationals' veteran-laden squad will get a dash of youthful exuberance, but...

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Baker seeks World Series ring to add to his complete life

October 06, 2017, 4:23am

Nationals

Baker seeks World Series ring to add to his complete life

Facing the Chicago Cubs in the post season is a big deal for Dusty Baker. But he countered, then again, he has history with a lot of teams the Nationals could play in the 2017 playoffs. Baker managed the Cubs from 2003 to 2006. The first two seasons they won 88 and 89 games. The last season they finished 30 games under .500. "What comes to my mind is how well we started off and how things certainly could have been different," Baker said. "One pitch, one out, one hit, one something. And then...

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Strasburg's early-career "soul searching" prepared him for this Game 1 start

October 05, 2017, 11:48am

Nationals

Strasburg's early-career "soul searching" prepared him for this Game 1 start

Manager Dusty Baker announced right-hander Stephen Strasburg will be the Nationals' Game 1 starter Friday night in the National League Division Series against the Cubs. "I kind of had an idea of what was going to happen a couple days ago," Strasburg said. "You know, they told me to throw a bullpen on the first workout day. "I'm excited for the opportunity to pitch in the playoffs again. It's one thing you really can't take for granted, and you've got to make the most of every...

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Nats brass meeting to finalize NLDS roster

October 05, 2017, 11:45am

Nationals

Nats brass meeting to finalize NLDS roster

The Nationals coaching staff and front office are meeting this afternoon for a final discussion of their 25-man roster for the National League Division Series, with several tough decisions still on the table. The lingering uncertainty over Max Scherzer's right hamstring has complicated matters, with the Nationals left wondering if they need to carry an extra pitcher as insurance for their ace right-hander, who is now targeting Game 3 at Wrigley Field to make his one and only start in the...

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Turner's speed was a factor in last Cubs series before he left with broken wrist

October 05, 2017, 2:21am

Nationals

Turner's speed was a factor in last Cubs series before he left with broken wrist

The last time the Nationals faced off against the Cubs, shortstop Trea Turner stole seven bases in a three-game span. In one of those games, he stole four bases. Turner was hit by a pitch in the June 29 game and left with a broken wrist. Pedro Strop hit him with a pitch in the seventh inning. The Cubs won that game 5-4. Up 4-2 in the ninth, the Nats allowed three runs. Blake Treinen took the loss. The broken wrist forced Turner to miss a significant portion of the season. Did that moment upset...

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Strasburg will start Game 1, Gonzalez will start Game 2

October 05, 2017, 7:54am

Nationals

Strasburg will start Game 1, Gonzalez will start Game 2

Stephen Strasburg will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series. And Max Scherzer will not start start Game 2. Manager Dusty Baker made the official announcement of Strasburg as his starter for Friday night's opener against the Cubs this morning, minutes before his club took the field for its final workout in preparation for the series. The choice of Strasburg wasn't a surprise, not in the wake of Scherzer's attempts in the last few days to recover from a tweaked right hamstring...

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Baker, Nationals not worried about contract status

October 04, 2017, 9:16pm

Nationals

The Athletics have finished last in the American League West each of the last three seasons, never winning more than 75 games. Last week, they gave manager Bob Melvin a contract extension through 2019. The Pirates, following three straight seasons reaching the National League wild card game, have fallen back under the .500 mark each of the last two seasons. Last month, they gave manager Clint Hurdle a four-year contract extension that keeps him in Pittsburgh through 2021. The Nationals just won...

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No bullpen yet for Scherzer, Nats' rotation order still undecided

October 04, 2017, 11:56am

Nationals

No bullpen yet for Scherzer, Nats' rotation order still undecided

If you were hoping for clarity today on Max Scherzer's status and the defined order of the Nationals rotation for the National League Division Series, you're going to be sorely disappointed. Though the Cubs formally announced their entire rotation plan for the series, the Nats have not yet even confirmed who is starting Game 1 on Friday night and certainly not any plans beyond that. There are, essentially, two possible reasons for the holdup: 1) They're showing some gamesmanship with the...

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Goodwin on returning to Nats: "I think I'm in a good place"

October 04, 2017, 11:08am

Nationals

Goodwin on returning to Nats: "I think I'm in a good place"

Outfielder Brian Goodwin was again a full participant in the Nationals' second day of workouts and batting practice on Wednesday as they prepare for the Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series starting Friday. Showing no ill effects from the groin strain that sidelined him for over a month, Goodwin made his case for inclusion on the postseason roster. General manager Mike Rizzo said that Goodwin was able to come back to D.C. after some solid rehab work in West Palm Beach last...

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Doolittle's talent and attitude invigorate Nationals

October 04, 2017, 4:55am

Nationals

Sean Doolittle had a pretty eventful Monday. Hanging out in D.C., Doolittle and girlfriend Eireann Dolan got married. Dolan and Doolittle eloped and now are husband and wife, just in time for the National League Division Series. We had the afternoon off so we eloped and we've never been happier âœ¨âœ¨âœ¨ pic.twitter.com/NrVB7Klf3R -- ScarinDolanBoolittle (@EireannDolan) October 3, 2017 "It was something we had been thinking about for awhile," Doolittle said. "We've been together...

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Who makes the Nationals' NLDS roster?

October 03, 2017, 9:14pm

Nationals

The Nationals have until Friday morning to set their 25-man roster for the National League Division Series. And given some of the down-to-the-wire decisions they need to make, they might just use every remaining minute available to them before submitting that roster to Major League Baseball. First and foremost, of course, is the state of Max Scherzer's right hamstring. The ace insists he'll be pitching in this series, but the Nationals won't know for sure when he'll pitch until after he...

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Signs point to Strasburg in Game 1, Scherzer in Game 2

October 03, 2017, 11:36am

Nationals

Signs point to Strasburg in Game 1, Scherzer in Game 2

The Nationals aren't making any official declarations about their rotation order for the National League Division Series yet. But plenty of tea leaves were thrown out there today for the masses to read, and the most logical interpretation of those leaves says the club is planning to start Stephen Strasburg in Game 1 and then Max Scherzer in Game 2 ... with one important caveat. The key scene during today's workout at Nationals Park - the first of three the club will hold before finally...

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Goodwin returns, now will he make postseason roster?

October 03, 2017, 11:51am

Nationals

Goodwin returns, now will he make postseason roster?

The first day of workouts at Nationals Park revealed a welcome sight as outfielder Brian Goodwin returned to the Nationals. Goodwin went through the entire 3 1/2-hour workout without a hitch: running, fielding, catching fly balls and spending extra time in the batter's box. Goodwin has been out since Aug. 14 with a left groin strain. Recently, he has returned to games and built at-bats at instructional league workouts in West Palm Beach, Fla. Goodwin hit .251 with 21 doubles, one triple, 13...