Another Stephen Strasburg start, more questions about The Shutdown. They've become expected at this point. Death, taxes, lengthy rain delays at Nats Park and questions about the Nationals' decision to go into the playoffs with Strasburg watching from the dugout. I've had numerous conversations, dating all the way back to spring training, with people both within and outside the organization about the reason why the team didn't decide to somehow stretch Strasburg's innings out so that...

Despite using all seven relievers in Monday's 5-4, 13-inning marathon win over the Atlanta Braves, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said they will all be available for Tuesday's Game 2. Even Craig Stammen, who went two full innings, will be available. "He is probably good to go too," Johnson said. "He is the strongest one out there." Johnson said the bullpen, which includes three lefties and four right-handers, will be ready if needed after Stephen Strasburg tonight. "They are all...

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is back in the Orioles' lineup tonight, and Omar Quintanilla is back at second base. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Manny Machado 3B Chris Tillman RHP For the Rangers: Ian Kinsler 2B Elvis Andrus SS Josh Hamilton CF Adrian Beltre 3B Nelson Cruz RF Michael Young DH David Murphy LF Geovany Soto C Mitch Moreland 1B Scott Feldman RHP The Orioles have lost...

08/31/12 12:30 PM Massachusetts @ Connecticut (DB - HD) MASN HD 09/08/12 12:00 PM NC State @ Connecticut (Live - HD) MASN2 HD 09/08/12 3:30 PM Howard @ Rutgers (Live - HD) MASN2 HD 09/08/12 7:00 PM Norfolk @ Liberty (Live) MASN2 HD 09/09/12 9:30 AM Lafayette @ William & Mary (DB) MASN HD 09/15/12 3:30 PM Liberty @ Montana (Live) MASN HD 09/22/12 4:30 PM South Florida @ Ball State (Live - HD) MASN HD 09/22/12 7:30...

The Nationals won't have to deal with Chipper Jones tonight, as the future Hall of Fame third baseman is out of the Braves lineup. The 40-year-old Jones played all 13 innings last night, but won't be starting against Stephen Strasburg in Game 2 of this big division series. Jones went 1-for-5 with a walk last night. He came into this series with three homers in his past three games. The Nats will face off against left-hander Paul Maholm, who the Braves acquired from the Cubs prior to the...

On the heels of the Nationals' rise to the top of the National League East standings, MASN is experiencing equally impressive increases in viewers watching its game coverage as the team continues its push to the postseason for the first time since relocating to D.C. An average of 69,000 viewers per game are watching the Nationals on MASN this season, a substantial increase over the 45,000 viewers per game recorded during the 2011 campaign. Those numbers mean viewership of Nationals games on...

Left-hander Brian Matusz made his third relief appearance today for Triple-A Norfolk, and the results were much better. Matusz walked one Gwinnett batter in a scoreless eighth inning. He didn't allow a hit, and he threw 10 of 19 pitches for strikes. Pat Egan pitched the ninth and completed an 8-0 victory that moved the Tides, winners of six of their last seven games, to within 2 1/2 games of the wild card lead. In his most recent appearance Sunday, Matusz stranded two inherited runners...

High Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Ricky Hague is putting together a full season after missing most of last year with a shoulder injury. Hague has worked very hard to strengthen the shoulder and game repetition has helped him maintain his range of motion. "The shoulder feels great," Hague said recently. "It has given me no problems. It feels strong. No pain at all." Hague has also learned that playing 92 games so far in a season is the true test every baseball player at the...

Think a postgame entry and a morning entry is enough to encapsulate all that happened at 1500 S. Capitol St. last night? Think again. I've got more. Those of us who haven't played major league baseball don't know how it feels to win a big 13-inning game over a division opponent in the midst of a pennant race. We don't know how it feels to lose that type of game, either. So how dramatic is the swing of emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other? How much does it hurt to lose a...

Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are two of the best young players in baseball. Both got their careers off to good starts when they were called to the major leagues this year, Harper on April 28 and Machado on Aug. 9. Here are the stats for each after their first 10 MLB games: Machado: .270 avg., .289 OBP, .649 slugging, .938 OPS, 3 homers, 7 extra-base hits. Harper: .265 avg., .381 OBP, .441 slugging, .822 OPS, 0 homers, 6 extra-base hits. By the way, the Angels' Mike Trout was called up last...