General manager Mike Rizzo told reporters during Rafael Soriano's introductory press conference in the winter of 2013 that the signing a week earlier of first baseman Adam LaRoche freed the Nationals up to deal one year of control of Michael Morse to the Mariners in the three-team trade with Seattle and the Oakland A's that went through on the night before Soriano's official introduction. The deal netted the Nationals right-handers A.J. Cole and Blake Treinen and left-hander Ian Krol. Cole,...

The numbers tell an interesting story. Dating back to the beginning of the 2013 season, the Nationals are 8-30 (a .211 winning percentage) against the Braves, Cardinals and Dodgers. Against everyone else, the Nats are 87-53 (a .621 winning percentage). Is it fair to question why the Nats struggle against the top teams in the National League but dominate the rest of the competition? "Of course," Ian Desmond said last night. "Of course." OK, so let's discuss it. While keeping in mind...

Ian Desmond was waiting at his locker for reporters after tonight's 8-0 loss to the Cardinals, like he always is. Desmond went 1-for-4 with an infield single in tonight's game, struck out twice and made two errors, giving him seven on the season. That's the most in the majors. He could have hidden from the questions or deflected them, saying that it's still early in the season. But he didn't. The Nationals, as a whole, have struggled defensively this season, making 20 errors through 16...

Manager Matt Williams declined to comment on what he told the Nationals following their 8-0 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night at Nationals Park. "I am not answering that question. That is for me and my team and no one else's business," Williams said. But Williams left no doubt as to his impressions of his team's sloppy play. The Nats committed four errors and now lead the National League with 20, managing only two hits in being shut out for the first time this season. "Regarding the...

The Orioles are looking to go over the .500 mark for the second time this season tonight. If they win at Boston they'll move to 8-7 on the year and over .500 for the first time since winning opening day. The team has seven games remaining in a stretch of playing 19 of its 22 games against American League East opponents to start the year. The O's are 6-5 so far in AL East games. The Orioles have done well at Fenway Park the last two seasons, going a combined 12-6 and they are 15-7 in their...

With Tuesday's postponement and manager Buck Showalter's decision to push back everyone in the rotation, Chris Tillman gets the start for the Orioles tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Fenway Park. That's not a bad thing. Tillman is 4-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 12 career starts against the Red Sox, and 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA in five starts in Boston, with eight walks and 27 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings. There's also his red-hot start to the 2014 season. Tillman has held opponents to...

It's been a shaky start for the Nationals, who trail 3-0. Matt Carpenter reached first base in the top of the first when shortstop Ian Desmond bobbled a grounder right to him. Kolten Wong was safe with a single when Taylor Jordan could not get the ball out of his glove in time for the toss to first baseman Adam LaRoche. With two men on, Matt Holliday's RBI double made it 1-0. Matt Adams followed with a run-scoring grounder and Yadier Molina slapped a RBI single to left. Suddenly, it was 3-0...

Nationals manager Matt Williams has respect for the Cardinals as they begin a four-game series at Nationals Park, with both teams at 9-6. They have a lot in common, with great starting pitching and timely hitting. But is Williams intimidated by playing them because the Nats' record early this season against better teams? Not necessarily. "They play the game really well," Williams said. "They do a lot of things really well. It starts with their rotation. They have got one of the best...

Manager Matt Williams had some positive news on the recovery of right-hander Doug Fister, who has been on the disabled list with a right lat strain since the beginning of the season Williams reported Fister tossed two innings and 28 pitches today in a simulated game in extended spring training in Viera, Fla. "Felt good about it," Williams said. "Reports are his second inning was better than his first inning, which is a good sign and so the plan is he will be on normal rest, five-day type...

The news on Orioles third baseman Manny Machado remains encouraging, as he's been cleared to further increase his baseball activity before playing in his first game. Machado ran the bases again today and did very well. The same positive report as yesterday. Machado will slide on Friday for the first time, and is scheduled to begin participating in extended spring training games the following day. The Orioles now are estimating that Machado could play in three to five extended spring games...