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...

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...

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...

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.,...

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...

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...

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...

The Orioles' minor leagues had a good year in 2017. That is the opinion of several national analysts I have spoken to in the last two weeks. Today, here is the second part of a series of interviews with national analysts on the O's farm. For the Orioles, 2017 was a year where outfielder Austin Hays moved from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie and then to the majors. He was a finalist for Baseball America's Player of the Year Award. The Orioles had four players ranked among the top 20...

As Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with the beat crew Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, a variety of questions fielded inside the Rays public relations office in the back of the press box, he broke away from a particular topic to pay tribute to two pending free agents. Two players who have been instrumental in the franchise's climb from 14 consecutive losing seasons to three playoff appearances in six years. Shortstop J.J. Hardy knows that the Orioles aren't picking up...

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...