Riding a Teddy high, Nats crank up the offense (updated)
Riding a Teddy high, Nats crank up the offense (updated)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
Yes, the losing streak is over. As my colleague Byron Kerr wrote, Teddy won the Presidents Race today. Print Byron's story out. Frame it. Tell the grandkids about this moment one day. The crowd got all riled up by Teddy's big victory, and apparently the players did, too. (Either that, or they just got better pitches to hit and put the barrel on them. One of the two.) The first three Nationals to come to the plate after Teddy's win - Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse and Tyler Moore - went...
Will O's 2012 success have a chance to carry over?
Will O's 2012 success have a chance to carry over?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Here's a good question. Does the Orioles' success this season mean they have put losing records in the future behind them for a while now? It seems there is a good chance that is true. I don't see this season as a fluke. The Orioles now have good pitching depth, in the rotation and bullpen. No, they don't have an ace like CC Sabathia or Justin Verlander, but it didn't keep them from winning 93 games. They have Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman on the way toward that rotation as well at some...
Lannan still in play for postseason roster spot
Lannan still in play for postseason roster spot
Dan Kolko
Nationals
It's been widely assumed that the Nationals will go with a postseason rotation made up of Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler, though not necessarily in that order, as the starting pitching spots for Games 3 and 4 have yet to be determined. It's possible, however, that John Lannan finds himself in the playoff rotation, as well. Lannan has gone 9-5 with a 3.20 ERA in 16 career starts against the Braves, and he held Atlanta to two runs over seven innings in a win...
Incredibly, Teddy finally wins, shattering longest losing streak in majors
Incredibly, Teddy finally wins, shattering longest losing streak in majors
Byron Kerr
Nationals
It has happened. No, not the Nationals winning the division. No, not the first playoff game in D.C. since 1933. It is the larger-than-life fourth-inning hero, the legendary former president, represented with oversized clothing from his bygone era and a huge melon head, steel-wire rope spectacles and neon green running shoes. Teddy Roosevelt has won the race he had lost 525 times in a row. Forget 61. Forget 2,130. Try 525. It is over. In the most amazing of races, Roosevelt crushed his...
Was Tillman the right choice tonight?
Was Tillman the right choice tonight?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I'm getting ready to check out of my hotel, grab lunch, head to Tropicana Field for the game, drop off my rental car and check into the Marriott hotel inside the Tampa airport. I've got an early-morning flight home tomorrow, but my plans will change if the Orioles lose tonight. It's a must-win game for the Orioles if they've got any chance of winning the division or hosting a wild card game, not to mention simplifying my travel schedule, which probably isn't one...
Johnson believes Nats' inexperience won't hamper them in postseason
Johnson believes Nats' inexperience won't hamper them in postseason
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Manager Davey Johnson is not thrilled about the playoff setup in 2012 and that is why he was adamant all year long about winning the division so his team would not have its whole season riding on a one-game wild card so early in the playoffs. "I hate it," Johnson said. "I am old school." Of course, Johnson knows that whether it is a Game 7 or an elimination game in a series, that must-win game is eventually going to occur, but the wild card play-in game would have been an uncomfortable...
Nats to make select number of standing room only tickets for NLDS available today
Nats to make select number of standing room only tickets for NLDS available today
Josh Land
Nationals
Due to unprecedented demand and excitement surrounding the Washington Nationals first NL East Division Championship, the team will release a limited number of Standing Room Only tickets this afternoon in advance of the National League Division Series games. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, October 3, Nationals fans can purchase Standing Room Only tickets at nationals.com/postseason or via phone by calling 888.632.NATS(6287). Standing Room Only tickets can be purchased for $30 each on...
Nats lineup for Game 162
Nats lineup for Game 162
Dan Kolko
Nationals
The bulk of the Nationals' regulars are back in the starting lineup, while the two that started yesterday - Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche - are taking a seat for today's regular season finale. The Nats have a magic number of one to clinch the top seed in the National League, giving them home-field advantage through the playoffs and setting them up to play the wild card play-in winner. If they win today against the Phillies or the Reds lose to the Cardinals tonight, the Nationals will get...
Rachel Levitin: Savor Nats' success because it's been a long wait
Rachel Levitin: Savor Nats' success because it's been a long wait
Josh Land
Nationals
Here it is, Nats fans - today is last the day of the 2012 regular season. Your Nationals secured their first-ever National League East division title and hold the best record in baseball. Can anyone honestly say this is what they thought would happen this season? After Monday night's clinch of the NL East title, outfielder Jayson Werth mentioned that his decision to play baseball for Washington was motivated by the desire to play for a team that had a chance to win for a long time. "And it...
LaRoche has another reason to celebrate
LaRoche has another reason to celebrate
Dan Kolko
Nationals
Adam LaRoche popped champagne with his teammates last night, celebrating the Nationals clinching the NL East division title. He didn't exactly have any bubbly waiting for him in the clubhouse tonight after reaching 100 RBIs for the season, but he still took pride in a nice individual goal which he feels also symbolizes how effective the Nats have been offensively as a team. "It feels pretty good," LaRoche said. "That's something that, again, anybody in the middle of the lineup, it's...