The ultimate optimist to the end, Davey Martinez insisted Tuesday night that he never doubted his 2019 Nationals would make it to the postseason, even after their infamous 19-31 start that had some questioning whether the second-year manager should lose his job. "You know what? I imagined it in spring training. I really did," Martinez said. "And I said it, May 24, I said this team is going to bounce back and turn it around. I thought we hit the bottom then. But this team, we get everybody...

The celebration for all of the veterans rolled along in the Nationals clubhouse for quite some time after their 6-5 win over the Phillies on Tuesday night. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg had a chance to step back and soak it all in. This will be his third postseason to pitch in. He was shut down famously in 2012, but pitched in the 2014 and 2017 postseasons. "It's so special. It's just a testament to the guys that we have in this clubhouse," Strasburg said. "We never stopped believing. It...

If Austin Hays stays healthy - and it's been a challenge over the past few seasons - he's going to be the Orioles' opening day starter in 2020. Period. End of discussion. OK, there's more. Manager Brandon Hyde isn't prepared to make that declaration. He's just trying to navigate his team through the last road trip. He's busy conducting exit interviews with players and figuring out how to manipulate the bullpen in the middle and late innings. The rotation no longer requires his attention....

TORONTO - A night after the Orioles allowed 11 runs, 13 hits and five homers, some pitching order was restored as they handily beat the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Right-hander Dylan Bundy was dealin' Dylan, pitching the Orioles to a win in Game 2 of this series. Bundy went seven strong innings, the Orioles hit three homers and Trey Mancini went 5-for-5 in an 11-4 win over Toronto. Mancini doubled in the first and third and added three singles in setting a new career high for hits and...

The path was different this time, very different. There was no division title, no early September clinch, no chance to turn on the cruise control and enjoy the nice, smooth ride to the postseason. No, this time the Nationals had to earn it. They had to come all the way back from a 19-31 start that left more than a few observers wondering if major changes were about to take place. They had to go on a remarkable run that saw them play at a .645 clip for four full months that still wasn't enough...

Surprisingly, the Phillies were able to score quickly against Nationals starter Max Scherzer. After recording an out to open the game, Scherzer walked Logan Morrison. Jean Segura followed with a single to third baseman Anthony Rendon. With two men on, Brad Miller blasted a three-run homer to center field. His ninth homer of the season came on an 0-1 pitch. It was the first time Scherzer had allowed a three-run homer since April 4, 2018 against Preston Tucker. Yan Gomes got the Nats on the board...

TORONTO - The Orioles posted a lineup today that included Anthony Santander and Hanser Alberto, but when Toronto changed pitchers, manager Brandon Hyde changed his lineup. Toronto scratched its scheduled starter, lefty Anthony Kay, due to a back issue and replaced him with lefty Thomas Pannone. "They scratched their starter about 5 o'clock," Hyde said. "They're going to go with a bullpen day and we figured the majority of the pitchers behind him will be right-handed relievers. So I assume...

The Orioles have made multiple changes to tonight's lineup in Toronto. The Blue Jays scratched their starting pitcher. Write down everything in pencil. In an apparent response to the hosts replacing left-hander Anthony Kay with left-hander Thomas Pannone, if that makes sense, the Orioles have removed shortstop Richie Martin, third baseman Hanser Alberto and right fielder Anthony Santander from their lineup with less than two hours remaining before first pitch. Jonathan Villar moves from second...

Well, here we go. The Nationals took care of business this afternoon. Now, if they can take care of business again tonight, and if the Pirates can snap their long losing streak and extend the Cubs' long losing streak, there's going to be a celebration on South Capitol Street tonight. The Nationals can only take care of their own business and then hope the Pirates do their part. With that in mind, they'll happily send Max Scherzer to the mound for the nightcap. The ace looked like the ace...

Right-hander Joe Ross and five relievers lifted the Nationals to a crucial 4-1 win over the Phillies in Game 1 of this afternoon's doubleheader at Nats Park. The Nationals improved to 87-69 and reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to two. They also eliminated the Phillies from postseason contention. Ross went four innings, wiggling out of a big jam in the first. He allowed a walk to start the game to César Hernández. Then three of the next four batters singled, including a...