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NLDS preview: Nats under pressure, Cubs playing loose

October 05, 2017, 2:19pm

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...

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Strasburg, Doolittle win NL monthly pitching awards

October 02, 2017, 1:31pm

Nationals

Strasburg, Doolittle win NL monthly pitching awards

A dominant September by both Stephen Strasburg and Sean Doolittle has earned each Nationals pitcher recognition for their efforts. Strasburg today was named National League Pitcher of the Month, with Doolittle named NL Reliever of the Month, further confirmation of the lights-out work put forth by each staff member during the final stretch of the regular season. Strasburg was nearly impossible to score off of in September, going 4-0 with an 0.83 ERA in five starts. The right-hander did not...

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Revisiting our opening day media predictions

October 02, 2017, 11:15am

Nationals

Revisiting our opening day media predictions

The Nationals' season is far from over. If anything, the last six months were nothing but a big tease for what is still to come over at least the next week, possibly more. But the regular season has concluded, and that means it's time to revisit all those predictions all of us on the Nats beat made way back on opening day. This always leads to embarrassment for us (though traditionally some more than others) but I have to say the crew did a pretty good job overall this year, with a couple of...

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Nats, Cubs each facing rotation order dilemma entering NLDS

October 01, 2017, 9:02pm

Nationals

Nats, Cubs each facing rotation order dilemma entering NLDS

It looked like it had been set in stone for weeks. The Nationals' postseason rotation? That was simple: Max Scherzer in Game 1, with Stephen Strasburg in Game 2 and then Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark taking the mound after that. But then Strasburg dominated in September. And then Gonzalez and Roark had ragged regular season finales. And then - and this was the biggest development of all - Scherzer tweaked his right hamstring throwing a pitch in the top of the fourth Saturday night against the...

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Breaking down the 10 postseason teams and their October storylines

October 02, 2017, 2:18pm

Nationals

Breaking down the 10 postseason teams and their October storylines

After losing three National League Division Series - to the Cardinals, Giants and Dodgers - the Nationals are in the postseason for the fourth time in six seasons. The Nationals, who finished with 97 wins and start the NLDS on Friday at home against the Cubs, have the deepest rotation, a rebuilt bullpen, depth, and a versatile offense that has power, speed and a blend of left-right hitters. They are the favorite to win the NL pennant and bring a World Series to Washington for the first time...

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Nats align workout schedule as they prepare for postseason opener

October 02, 2017, 4:58am

Nationals

Nats align workout schedule as they prepare for postseason opener

The game times for the National League Division Series games against the Chicago Cubs are locked in. Game 1 Friday will begin at 7:31 p.m. Eastern time and Game 2 is set for first pitch Saturday at 5:38 p.m. Eastern time in D.C. The games will be broadcast nationally by TBS. MASN will broadcast exclusive one-hour pregame and postgame shows during each game of the playoffs. The Nationals will have workouts Tuesday and Wednesday at Nats Park. Manager Dusty Baker will meet with the media Tuesday...

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Start times announced for NLDS Games 1 and 2

October 01, 2017, 6:28pm

Nationals

Start times announced for NLDS Games 1 and 2

The Cubs are the biggest national television draw in baseball right now, so it stood to reason the Nationals would find themselves playing in primetime throughout their first-round postseason showdown with the defending World Series champs. That will be true for Game 1 of the National League Division Series, but the presence of the West Coast's biggest draw in the other half of the bracket is going to lead to an early-evening start on South Capitol Street for Game 2. Major League Baseball...