Nick Markakis was expected to start tonight in right field, but he remains out of the lineup due to soreness after being hit by a pitch Tuesday night behind his right shoulder. "I'm glad it wasn't my left arm because I wouldn't be able to throw right-handed right now," Markakis said. He hopes to play tomorrow, but will not rush back to the lineup. He is not concerned the soreness will linger. Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy are being rested tonight. Christian Walker gets another start at...

One of the differences between the Nationals' 2014 postseason appearance versus their 2012 run is the emergence of a pair of sophomores. Ray Knight and I discussed this on "Nats Xtra" pregame Thursday night and I asked him about the importance of Tanner Roark and Anthony Rendon to this team. Roark has been on a tear, continues to be consistent and has the ability to go seven innings every outing. On Sept. 16, otherwise known as clinching night, he defeated the Braves 3-0 by twirling seven...

Nationals fans can purchase Raffle tickets to benefit the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation cornerstone programs The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation announced today that it will begin the new 50/50 Raffle during the Nationals final regular season homestand. Through the 50/50 Raffle, fans will have a chance to win large cash prizes while supporting the Dream Foundation's cornerstone programs. The Raffle tickets will be sold Tuesday, September 23 through Saturday, September 27, and...

It's hard to believe the regular season is coming to a close. The Nationals will host their final home series of the regular season this weekend. MASN will also host its final social media weekend, presented by COX. We want to reward you for being loyal in backing the Nats this season. By using the hashtag #IBackTheNats throughout the weekend, you have a chance to win awesome prizes including autographed memorabilia, special #IBackTheNats koozies, Nats prize packs, and more! Also, be...

MIAMI - Last night, pitching in his hometown for just the second time in his career, and first time since 2012, Gio Gonzalez kept the ball rolling in the right direction. The Nationals left-hander twirled seven innings, allowing just two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked none, marking the second time in a three-start span that he hasn't issued a base-on-balls. Prior to this three-start stretch, he hadn't had a walk-free start all season. Over his last six starts, Gonzalez...

On Tuesday night, the Nationals became the first team in the major leagues to clinch a division title. The Nats have been here before, winning their second National League East title in three years, but the story this year was written a little differently. The Nationals clinched in front of their home crowd in 2012. Of course, there is no place like home, but if the Nats could choose to clinch anywhere else, I'm sure Atlanta would be at the top of that list. So the stage was set. In...

Though the Washington Nationals don't know who their opponent will be, they know now that they will be bringing postseason baseball back to the nation's capital in October. The Nationals clinched the National League East division this week in Atlanta's Turner Field, but during last week's homestand they received a reminder of just how difficult it can be to deal with the not only the so-called "sun monster" in the outfield at Nationals Park, but also the shadows cast over the mound and...

The appeal of sports is built on emotion, and the past week has delivered plenty of it for Orioles fans. The highs and the lows have served to humanize the players for whom we cheer and have reminded me of how limited my perspective on them actually is. If there's a common thread for me between the elation provided by the O's clinching their first division title since 1997 and the disappointment produced by Chris Davis' suspension for Adderall use, it's this: Both moments afforded me a...

Manager: John Farrell, second year Record: 66-87 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: DH David Ortiz (.261/.355/.504, 27 doubles, 32 HR, 99 RBIs); LF Yoenis Cespedes (.257/.300/.451, 35 doubles, 21 HR, 95 RBIs, 84 R); RHP Rubby De La Rosa (5-7, 4.31 ERA, 1.47 WHIP); RHP Joe Kelly (4-4, 4.28 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 6-10, 52 runs scored, 73 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 19: Allen Webster vs. Kevin Gausman, 7 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 20: Rubby De La Rosa vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m.,...

MIAMI - Can't get much more of a well-rounded win than tonight's victory over the Marlins. Gio Gonzalez threw seven strong innings, allowing just two runs, seven Nationals had at least one hit, the defense was solid and the baserunning was aggressive and smart in a 6-2 win over Miami. Gonzalez continued his string of solid outings by pitching well in his hometown in front of lots of family members and friends, Bryce Harper had three hits, and Craig Stammen and Rafael Soriano combined to...