nationals

Game 143 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

September 12, 2017, 11:07am

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...

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Nats can't rally after Jackson's rough start, lose 5-4 to Phillies

September 09, 2017, 6:29pm

Nationals

Nats can't rally after Jackson's rough start, lose 5-4 to Phillies

With a chance to position themselves to clinch a division title Sunday, the Nationals put themselves in an early four-run hole tonight, clawed their way back to within a run of the Phillies but couldn't finish the job. A 5-4 loss to the Phillies snapped the Nationals' five-game winning streak, and left it up to the Braves to try to beat the Marlins late and leave open the possibility of a Sunday clinch on South Capitol Street. Atlanta pulled it off with a walk-off walk in the bottom of the...

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Phillies able to solve Jackson early in 5-4 win over Nats

September 09, 2017, 7:47pm

Nationals

Phillies able to solve Jackson early in 5-4 win over Nats

Edwin Jackson did not receive a very kind birthday present from the Phillies on Saturday night. They were able to see his pitches very well in a 5-4 setback. The right-hander, now 34 years of age, allowed two early homers to Rhys Hoskins and Maikel Franco that set the tone. The Phillies added three more runs in the fourth. The Nationals battled back from a 5-1 deficit to cut the lead to 5-4, thanks to a two-run shot and RBI single from Michael A. Taylor. Even with the loss, the Nats' magic...

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Baker confirms youngsters will start Sunday to give veterans rest

September 09, 2017, 2:12pm

Nationals

Baker confirms youngsters will start Sunday to give veterans rest

Manager Dusty Baker confirmed that Stephen Strasburg will make the start Sunday not because the Nationals will necessarily have a chance to clinch the National League East division title but really because he has just been very good recently. "He's got a pretty good thing going right now," Baker said. Strasburg is 2-1 with a 0.67 ERA in his last four starts, striking out 31 batters in 27 innings, allowing two earned runs. Left fielder Jayson Werth is still on the sidelines with a sore...

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Each team launches homers early (Phillies win 5-4)

September 09, 2017, 3:48pm

Nationals

Each team launches homers early (Phillies win 5-4)

The Nationals jumped on the board first against Phillies starter Mark Leiter Jr. Former Phillies outfielder Howie Kendrick launched a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall to give the Nats a 1-0 lead. The Phillies answered in the second inning with solo homers by Rhys Hoskins and Maikel Franco off Edwin Jackson for a 2-1 lead. After two innings, the Nats trail by one run. Update: The Phillies chased Jackson (on his birthday no less! How rude!) in the fourth. Cameron Rupp started the scoring with a...

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Could the Nationals catch the Dodgers for NL's best record?

September 09, 2017, 2:00pm

Nationals

The Nationals have known for some time they're going to clinch a division title and then have multiple weeks of games left to play before the postseason begins, creating an awkward situation in which Dusty Baker has to find a balance between resting his regulars while still keeping them sharp. There may, however, be a new goal for the Nats to chase even after they officially win the National League East: the league's best record and No. 1 seed for the playoffs. What once seemed unfathomable...

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Game 142 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

September 09, 2017, 11:18am

Nationals

The Nationals can't clinch the division title tonight, but they can get as close as possible without finishing the deal. With the magic number now at three, a Nats win over the Phillies combined with a Marlins loss at Atlanta would set the stage for them to control their own destiny Sunday afternoon and not have to worry about the result of another game. That's always a preferable scenario. Tonight, it'll be Edwin Jackson looking to bounce back from a rare rough start. The veteran was tagged...

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Scherzer rebounds after walk-filled first inning to earn win

September 08, 2017, 8:20pm

Nationals

Scherzer rebounds after walk-filled first inning to earn win

It was about as uncharacteristic a pitching display as Max Scherzer is capable of displaying. Three walks in one inning? He had only issued three or more walks in four games this season. Yet there it was Friday night for all to see. During a laborious, 28-pitch top of the first, Scherzer gave free passes to OdÃºbel Herrera, Rhys Hoskins and Hyun Soo Kim of the Phillies. Oh, there also was a three-run homer served up to Nick Williams. But that was secondary to the walks in Scherzer's...