Who knows how this wild 2019 season will end for the Nationals, whether they’ll catch the Braves and win the National League East, whether they’ll hold onto one of the league’s two wild card berths or whether they’ll collapse and miss the playoffs altogether. Here’s what we can say unequivocally about the 2019 Nationals: They do not quit. No game is ever out of reach. ... read more
Rotation depth, such a problem area for the Nationals last season and early this season, hasn’t been an issue over the last month. That’s thanks to the lights-out performances of Erick Fedde and Joe Ross, who have allowed the Nats to continue to thrive even while Max Scherzer has been on the injured list. Now, though, the organization faces a surprisingly tricky decision with Scherzer ... read more
Max Scherzer built his arm up this afternoon in his second simulated game of the week, throwing 64 pitches over four innings. And as long as he recovers well from this latest throwing session, the Nationals ace will be lined up to return to the rotation next week in Pittsburgh. Scherzer looked strong and felt strong during today’s four-inning simulated game against teammates, according to ... read more
It’s Season Plan Holder Appreciation Day here at Nationals Park. It’s also Max Scherzer Simulated Game No. 2 Day. These two events are going on simultaneously, which is both cool (the fans are able to watch this) and awkward (Dan Kolko, Bo Porter and Alex Chappell are holding a Q&A as Scherzer pitches directly behind them). Anyways, tonight’s game ... the Nationals are riding a ... read more
The Nationals totaled only three hits tonight. Turns out that was enough, because two of them were Anthony Rendon RBI doubles. The man who has made a name for himself with clutch two-baggers delivered the pair of clutch doubles his team needed tonight. The Nationals rode those RBI doubles, including the go-ahead hit in the bottom of the eighth, to a 2-1 victory over the ... read more
Max Scherzer will take the mound at Nationals Park on Saturday. But he’ll again be facing teammates, not the Brewers. Despite the ace’s insistence he’s ready to come off the injured list, the Nationals have decided he needs at least one more simulated game to build up his endurance. Scherzer threw only 32 pitches over two simulated innings, plus warm-up tosses in the bullpen and ... read more
The Nationals have announced starters for this weekend. Aníbal Sánchez will start Saturday night, with Erick Fedde taking the mound Sunday afternoon. Obviously, neither of those guys is named Max Scherzer, so it appears the ace’s return from the injured list isn’t happening quite yet. But before you panic, he’s out throwing in the outfield right now, so it doesn’t appear he’s had any setback. ... read more
It’s decision day for the Nationals, who must figure out when and where Max Scherzer will next pitch. If it’s up to Scherzer, the answer to the first question is “Saturday” and the answer to the second question is “at Nationals Park against the Brewers.” But it’s not up to the ace of the staff. Davey Martinez, Mike Rizzo and the club’s medical staff will ... read more
