nationals

Baker on how many left-handed relievers they will carry in playoffs

September 13, 2017, 1:08pm

The Nationals make their way towards the National League Division Series with some decisions to make in the bullpen and specifically how many left-handers they will carry in the post season. Left-handed closer Sean Doolittle leads the list as the lock. He is 1-0 with 20 saves, a 2.78 ERA and nine holds in 47 games. He is 17-for-17 in save opportunities with the Nats. Left-handed batters are hitting .158 (6-for-58) against his pitches. The other southpaws under consideration for the post season...

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In post-clinch daze, Nationals lay an egg vs. Braves

September 12, 2017, 6:02pm

Nationals

The Nationals sent their regulars out to face the Braves tonight, hoping they'd still play with the same edge they displayed over the weekend while locking up another division title. They wound up getting one of their worst clunkers of the season. With Gio Gonzalez laboring and that lineup of regulars flailing away against Julio Teheran, the Nationals were trounced 8-0 in the first of 19 games left on the schedule before the postseason. Technically speaking, the Nats don't need to put forth...

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Gonzalez allowed too many big hits in loss to Braves

September 12, 2017, 6:51pm

Nationals

Gonzalez allowed too many big hits in loss to Braves

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez got knocked around Tuesday night in an 8-0 loss to the Braves. The big hit arrived in the third inning when Freddie Freeman launched a three-run homer over the center field wall halfway up the grassy hill. That gave Atlanta a 4-0 lead. Despite a day off Monday, the Nationals couldn't get back to their good vibes from Sunday, when they clinched their fourth division title in six seasons after beating the Phillies 3-2 and got help from these very same Braves, who came...

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Freeman sets tone versus Gonzalez (Braves win 8-0)

September 12, 2017, 4:16pm

Nationals

Freeman sets tone versus Gonzalez (Braves win 8-0)

The Braves came out quickly against left-hander Gio Gonzalez. Matt Kemp delivered a run-scoring single to put the Braves up 1-0 in the first inning. Then, in the third inning, Ender Inciarte walked. Ozzie Albies singled. Michael A. Taylor bobbled the ball in center field and threw high and late to third base. Inciarte moved to third and Albies to second. Taylor was tagged with a fielding error. Freddie Freeman then crushed a three-run shot to deep center field. His 26th homer of the year...

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Baker updates progress of Harper and Werth, importance of Kendrick

September 12, 2017, 1:42pm

Nationals

Baker updates progress of Harper and Werth, importance of Kendrick

Nationals manager Dusty Baker updated the recovery of right fielder Bryce Harper, who has been out with a hyperextended left knee and a strained calf since Aug. 13. He has missed 29 games. Harper has played catch once in Miami and once here last weekend prior to a game against the Phillies. He appeared to be throwing well and with no limitations from 90 feet. He even had to catch a high throw and come down on both legs without any issues. "What's next is hopefully have him start hitting and...

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Nationals open 2018 in Cincinnati, host Yankees and Red Sox

September 12, 2017, 8:41am

Nationals Orioles

Nationals open 2018 in Cincinnati, host Yankees and Red Sox

The Nationals will open the 2018 season earlier than usual, on a different day of the week than usual and in a venue they've never opened at before. Major League Baseball announced next year's schedule this afternoon, and it features the Nationals opening March 29 in Cincinnati. That opener, on a Thursday, comes as MLB moves opening day up four days across the league, a wrinkle in the new collective bargaining agreement with players to provide for more off-days over the course of the season,...

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Nats will keep foot on gas pedal for final three weeks

September 12, 2017, 2:10pm

Nationals

Nats will keep foot on gas pedal for final three weeks

And on the day after, Dusty Baker played his regulars. Though their latest division title has already been secured, the Nationals don't appear to taking their foot off the gas pedal anytime soon. Baker's lineup for tonight's series opener against the Braves - all the currently active regulars are starting except for Jayson Werth, who is dealing with a sore left shoulder - is evidence of that, as are the manager's answers when asked how he plans to handle the final three weeks of the regular...

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Game 143 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

September 12, 2017, 11:07am

Nationals

And now ... it's time to play out the string. Or possibly not. The Nationals take the field tonight for the first time as 2017 National League East champs, so technically nothing is at stake. Except for those wacky Dodgers, who have lost 11 in a row and now only lead the Nats by 3 1/2 games for the best record in the league. Which means there may be more at stake over these final 19 games than anyone expected. Up first, it's tonight's opener of a three-game series against the Braves, who did...

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Tuesday morning Nats Q&A

September 11, 2017, 6:50pm

Nationals

So, anything interesting happen this weekend? I have to admit, I was not looking forward to waiting out the end of the Braves-Marlins game Sunday afternoon, along with the Nationals and a few thousand fans, thinking it was either going to result in an anti-climactic division clinch or a bunch of wasted time with the magic number staying stuck on one. I was wrong, though, because the scene at Nationals Park when Lane Adams hit his walk-off homer in the bottom of the 11th at SunTrust Park was one...

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Nationals announce 2018 schedule

September 12, 2017, 8:32am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced their 2018 schedule on Tuesday, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, revealing an 81-game home slate that will begin on April 5 at Nationals Park. After celebrating Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 29 and kicking off the 2018 season with a six-game road trip to the Queen City and Atlanta, the Nationals will mark the 85th home opener in D.C. since 1901 with a tilt against their divisional foe, the New York Mets. Nationals Park will open its gates for...

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Opposite dugout: Braves floating on string of walk-off wins

September 11, 2017, 7:57am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves floating on string of walk-off wins

Manager: Brian Snitker (2nd year) Record: 64-78 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (25 HR, 30 doubles), CF Ender Inciarte (21 SB), RF Nick Markakis (69 RBIs, 36 doubles), RHP JosÃ© RamÃrez (25 holds), RHP Arodys VizcaÃno (10 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 12: RHP Julio Teheran vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 13: LHP Luiz Gohara vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 14: RHP Mike Foltynewicz vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05...

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With division title clinched, Nats focus on health

September 11, 2017, 9:41am

Nationals

With division title clinched, Nats focus on health

The Nationals clinched their fourth division title in the past six seasons on Sunday night and now have three and a half weeks before their first 2017 playoff game commences. The goal is to get everyone healthy, especially Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper. If that happens, this will be the strongest 25-man contingent that Nats have put on the field since their first splash into the postseason as a D.C. franchise in 2012. Left fielder Werth is one of those important parts of the equation. He got...

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Fourth division title in six years was no small achievement

September 10, 2017, 9:01pm

Nationals

Fourth division title in six years was no small achievement

Because they have done this four times now in the last six years - and because each of the three previous times was followed by a first-round playoff exit - there's a tendency to downplay the significance of what the Nationals have accomplished. Yes, everybody hangs banners to commemorate division titles. But who really remembers or celebrates those in the long term? It's October success that makes real memories, and until the Nationals enjoy that they will feel like they have accomplished...

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Marty Niland: Nats and their fans get the celebration they deserve

September 11, 2017, 6:33am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats and their fans get the celebration they deserve

We partied like it was 1933. For the first time in several generations, Washington baseball fans celebrated a championship the right way: on their home field after a win. It hadn't happened in Washington since Sept. 21, 1933, when the original Nats beat the St. Louis Browns 2-1 at Griffith Stadium. After Lefty Stewart tossed a complete game for his 15th win of the season, a team that included future Hall of Famers Joe Cronin, Goose Goslin, Heinie Manush and Sam Rice popped champagne to...

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Long, strange wait doesn't dampen Nats' latest celebration

September 10, 2017, 3:50pm

Nationals

Long, strange wait doesn't dampen Nats' latest celebration

The Nationals have this division-title thing down pat at this point, having now done it four times in six years. What they have not yet perfected is the art of clinching a division title on the field in front of their home fans. The 2012 National League East crown was achieved when the Braves lost in Pittsburgh while the Nats played the top of the ninth against the Phillies. The 2014 NL East was wrapped up with a win on the road in Atlanta. The 2016 NL East title wasn't official until the Mets...

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Youth serves as Nats secure back-to-back division titles

September 10, 2017, 3:12pm

Nationals

Youth serves as Nats secure back-to-back division titles

The Nationals won their second consecutive division title Sunday with a 3-2 win over the Phillies and a 10-8 Braves win in 11 innings that eliminated the Marlins. And it wasn't lost on the players during their celebration that the Sunday clinching lineup included recent prospects, youngsters and guys who have never played in the majors until this season. Sunday's lineup included regular Trea Turner, but also AdriÃ¡n Sanchez, Wilmer Difo, Victor Robles, Andrew Stevenson, Pedro Severino and...

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Strasburg's latest gem, Braves' dramatic win make Nats champs

September 10, 2017, 11:52am

Nationals

Strasburg's latest gem, Braves' dramatic win make Nats champs

The Nationals clinched their fourth division title in six years late this afternoon, and all it took was Stephen Strasburg extending his scoreless innings streak to 34, a lineup of rookies and second-stringers pulling off a 3-2 win over the Phillies and the Braves rallying with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the Marlins and ultimately win in the 11th as several thousand fans celebrated 641 miles away on South Capitol Street. Suffice it to say, this wasn't your typical clinch. But...

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Strasburg on target again (Nats win 3-2)

September 10, 2017, 10:16am

Nationals

Strasburg on target again (Nats win 3-2)

The combination of Stephen Strasburg and a young lineup desperate to show they belong could be a recipe for difficulty for the Phillies. Strasburg has struck out five in three innings. He has also enjoyed fine catches by right fielder Rafael Bautista and a Sun Monster-conquering catch from rookie Victor Robles. Ben Lively has kept pace for the Phillies. Wilmer Difo doubled in the first and Andrew Stevenson walked in the second, but the Nats have been unable to plate a run through three frames...

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Nationals could wrap up fourth NL East title in six years today

September 09, 2017, 7:45pm

Nationals

The Nationals clinched their first division title thanks to a Braves loss in Pittsburgh. They clinched their second division title with a win in Atlanta in front of only a smattering of their fans in attendance. They clinched their third division title with the combination of a win in Pittsburgh and then a Mets loss in New York a few minutes later. What the Nats haven't done during this impressive stretch over the last six seasons is clinch something with a win at home, affording themselves...

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Game 143 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

September 10, 2017, 7:34am

Nationals

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday he was going to start the youngsters in Sunday's series finale against the Phillies so his regulars can have two full days off before the Braves arrive Tuesday night. And with a win and a Marlins loss today, the Nationals will lock up their second consecutive National League East crown, and fourth in six seasons. Monday is a scheduled day off. The only regular starter in the lineup is Trea Turner. The big deal is that top prospect Victor Robles makes his first...