Ryan Sullivan: Grace is best-kept secret in Nationals 'pen

Ryan Sullivan: Grace is best-kept secret in Nationals 'pen
Recently, an entertainer in World Wrestling Entertainment named Buddy Murphy began calling himself "professional wrestling's best-kept secret." With all due respect to his creative catchphrase, I believe we should start calling Nationals reliever Matt Grace "D.C. baseball's best-kept secret." Last season, Grace was quietly effective for the Nationals, producing a 4.32 ERA, 1.360 WHIP and 31 strikeouts against 18 walks over 50 innings pitched. An eighth-round pick by Washington in the 2010...
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Opposite dugout: Healthy roster key to success for Mets

Opposite dugout: Healthy roster key to success for Mets
Manager: Mickey Callaway (1st season) Record: 4-1 Last 10 games: 4-1 Who to watch: LF Yoenis Céspedes (.278 average with 2 HR, 6 RBIs); SS Amed Rosario (.333 average with 5 RBIs); 1B Adrián González (.308 average with .471 OBP); RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0, 1.59 ERA); RHP Matt Harvey (0-0, 0.00 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (6-13 in 2017) Pitching probables: April 5: RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (1-0); 1:05 p.m., MASNApril 7: LHP Steven Matz (0-1) vs....
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"MASN All Access" podcast: Wrapping up road trip and preparing for home opener

"MASN All Access" podcast: Wrapping up road trip and preparing for home opener
The Nationals had an historic start to the season, winning their first four games and leading for 36 straight innings. But they dropped the final two games in Atlanta to finish the season's first road trip 4-2. So what went right and what went wrong over the season's first six games? Who impressed and who didn't? Paul Mancano and I are back on the "MASN All Access" podcast to break down the Nats' impressive trip through Cincinnati and Atlanta before the team comes back to open the home...
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Liz Barr: Formidable foursome gets Nats off to fast start

Liz Barr: Formidable foursome gets Nats off to fast start
Welcome back to baseball. You hear that sound in the air? The sound of home runs leaving the park, bags being swiped and an umpire ringing up a strike three call? That means the Nationals are at it again. They've been hitting, running and, most importantly, pitching. The Nationals arguably have the best four-man starting rotation in the National League, and after the first turn through the rotation, the starting pitching was on display. The group of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio...
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Marty Niland: Nats fans demand more than, "Wait'll next year and hope"

Marty Niland: Nats fans demand more than, "Wait'll next year and hope"
Baseball is said to be a timeless game. The rhythm of the game and the season bring generations together, and phrases like "Bang! Zoom!" and "See you later!" have a special meaning around here in the spring, summer and fall. Year after year, we pack the ballpark, gather around the television, tune in to broadcasts, even shuttle the kids to Little League practice and games, united by traditions and the history behind them. But as enduring as the national pastime is supposed to be, it has...
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Opposite dugout: Braves hoping to turn tide against Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves hoping to turn tide against Nationals
Manager: Brian Snitkner (3rd season) Record: 2-1 Who to watch (2017 stats): 1B Freddie Freeman (.307/.403/.586 with 28 HR, 71 RBIs), CF Ender Inciarte (.304, 22 SB), RF Nick Markakis (.275, 76 RBIs), RHP Julio Teheran (11-13, 4.49 ERA), RHP Arodys Vizcaino (.283 ERA, 14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (9-10 in 2017) Pitching probables: April 2: RHP Tanner Roark (13-11, 4.67 ERA in 2017) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (4-9, 4.32 ERA in 2017), 7:35 p.m., MASN2 April 3: RHP A.J. Cole...
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"MASN All Access" podcast: Finally opening day, Davey Martinez and Nats roster

"MASN All Access" podcast: Finally opening day, Davey Martinez and Nats roster
The rain is finally gone (for now), which means the Nationals can finally open the 2018 season in Cincinnati. It also means the release of the first Nats episode of the brand-new "MASN All-Access" podcast, which goes along with the "MASN All Access" Facebook Live show. If you followed along the past couple of years with the District 34 podcast, you'll be familiar with me, "All Access" and social producer Bobby Blanco, as a host. Joining me this year on the podcast is "All Access"...
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Ryan Sullivan: Three bold Nationals predictions on opening day

Ryan Sullivan: Three bold Nationals predictions on opening day
Happy opening day, baseball friends! After many months of battling cold temperatures and evenings without the soothing voices of Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo, Nationals baseball returns today. One of the many great things about opening day is the sense of optimism it brings with it - spring in Washington can be truly beautiful and the beginning of a baseball season leads one to think of the endless possibilities over 162 games. Naturally, this leads fans to start making predictions for...
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Opposite dugout: Pitching still poses biggest problem as Reds' rebuild comes together

Opposite dugout: Pitching still poses biggest problem as Reds' rebuild comes together
Manager: Bryan Price (5th season) Record: 68-94 (5th in NL Central in 2017) Last 10 games: Season opener Who to watch: 1B Joey Votto (.320/.454/.578 with 36 HR, 100 RBIs), 2B Scooter Gennett (.295/.342/.531 with 27 HR, 97 RBIs), 3B Eugenio Suárez (26 HR, 82 RBIs), RHP Luis Castillo (3-7, 3.12 ERA), RHP Raisel Iglesias (2.49 ERA, 28 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (1-6 in 2017) Pitching probables: March 30: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Homer Bailey, 4:10 p.m., MASN March 31: RHP...
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Nats Park 2018 lineup Part 2: What's new at the ballpark

Nats Park 2018 lineup Part 2: What's new at the ballpark
Yesterday we went through the events and promotions portion of the new 2018 lineup at Nats Park. Today we're going to take you through all the new features, concessions, retail and memorabilia concepts, and programs around the ballpark. There are some special activations throughout Nats Park for today's exhibition game today against the Twins to help fans combat the chilly forecasted temperatures. First pitch will be at 4:05 p.m., and tickets are still available at nationals.com/Tickets. This...
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Nats Park 2018 lineup Part 1: Events and promotions

Nats Park 2018 lineup Part 1: Events and promotions
The sun is shining. The days are longer. The grass is freshly cut. The smell of fresh leather and the sound of bats cracking fill the atmosphere in D.C. Baseball season is here. Fans' offseason dreams of strikeouts, home runs, stolen bases, refreshing drinks and steaming half-smokes will soon become realities with opening day just three days away and the Nationals' home opener on South Capitol St. a little over a week away. With the 2018 season about to begin, let's take a look at the...
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Setting the guest blogger rotation for 2018

Setting the guest blogger rotation for 2018
Since 2011, MASNsports.com has welcomed guest bloggers to our pages, giving folks with strong opinions about the Nationals a chance to share their viewpoints with a larger audience. We'll do the same in 2018, though we're adding a couple of newcomers to our rotation. We'll begin on Friday, March 30 - which is currently scheduled as an off-day after the Nats' season opener in Cincinnati - with the introduction of Ryan Sullivan, who hosts The Nats GM podcast and associated website. He'll be...
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Dan Kolko to host "Nats Insider" on 106.7 The Fan every Saturday morning throughout Nats season

Dan Kolko to host "Nats Insider" on 106.7 The Fan every Saturday morning throughout Nats season
MASN's Nationals on-field reporter Dan Kolko is known by many names to our loyal fans and viewers. "MASN Dan," "DK" and "TV's Dan Kolko" are just a few examples. Starting this season, we have another nickname to add to the list: "Radio Dan." In addition to his MASN broadcast duties for this upcoming regular season, Kolko will also be hosting a weekly "Nats Insider" show on the Nationals flagship radio station 106.7 The Fan every Saturday from 8-9 a.m. The station released Kolko's...
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"MASN All Access" to have live daily coverage at start of Nats spring training

"MASN All Access" to have live daily coverage at start of Nats spring training
It is finally time. The sun is shining and the tank is clean. Baseball is back. Nationals pitchers and catchers are set to report to The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on Wednesday, Feb. 14, and if you can't make it down to beautiful West Palm Beach, don't worry, "MASN All Access" is bringing it to you. We'll have daily shows on Facebook Live around 3 p.m. each day throughout the first weekend of spring training! Be sure to tune in from Feb. 16-19 as hosts Sara Perlman and Paul Mancano...
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Murphy has career night in rout of Cardinals

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Murphy has career night in rout of Cardinals
Daniel Murphy, runner-up for the 2016 National League MVP, silenced critics early in the 2017 campaign when he hit safely in the first 10 games of the season with a .444/.457/.711 slash line. At the time, his 10 games were tied for the longest streak in the majors in 2017 and it was the longest such streak to start a season in his career. We turn to Bob Carpenter (@scorebook_bob) to give you a recap of one of Murphy's best games during his outstanding start to the season, the Nationals' April...
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Help Ben's Chili Bowl half-smoke win online stadium food poll

Help Ben's Chili Bowl half-smoke win online stadium food poll
Pity the poor pre-2008 baseball fans who never had the opportunity to chow down on a Ben's Chili Bowl half-smoke at Nationals Park. Nothing wrong with the old traditional ballpark hot dog, mind you. But there's something magical about the smoky, meaty goodness of a half-smoke during a ballgame on South Capitol Street. Go ahead, try to make sure all of the accompanying chili makes it into you mouth when you bite down on this enticing delicacy. I dare you. Bun, meat, chili - that's ballpark...
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Zimmerman has huge day in rout of Marlins

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Zimmerman has huge day in rout of Marlins
If you needed something to distract you from this week's bone-chilling weather and Redskins news, we've got you, fam - Nationals pitchers and catchers reporting is just a baker's dozen days away! After you look up flights to West Palm Beach, read up on one of the many curly W's from MASN play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter's 2017 scorebook: 10 for Gio and the Nats! Monster game for Zim with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. RBI #906 is franchise record.Nats 10 Marlins 1 August 9...
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Werth to be in gallery at State of the Union address

Werth to be in gallery at State of the Union address
When the television cameras pan the crowd at tomorrow night's State of the Union address by President Donald J. Trump, don't be surprised if you see a certain bearded former Nationals outfielder who's more than a little legendary in these parts. And the reason for his invitation to sit in the gallery at the once-a-year speech has nothing at all to do with his baseball career. According to Roll Call, Jayson Werth will be at U.S. Capitol on Tuesday night, a guest of Rep. Rodney Davis, an...
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Jackson helps Nats salvage nightcap of doubleheader

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Jackson helps Nats salvage nightcap of doubleheader
The major league hot stove has been ice cold so far this offseason. There are still plenty of big-name free agents available on the board with spring training less than three weeks away. Although the Nationals never figured to play a huge role in the free agent market this offseason, they have made a couple of re-signings to at least make this winter not completely uneventful. They re-signed Brandon Kintzler to a one-year deal to keep the Law Firm bullpen intact. Matt Adams was signed to a...
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Gonzalez shuts down Brew Crew at home

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Gonzalez shuts down Brew Crew at home
What more can be said about the season Gio Gonzalez had in 2017? The Nationals left-hander posted one of the best seasons of his career and one of the most consistent in all of baseball last year. He finished the year 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA (the second-best of his career) and continued to prove his durability by amassing 201 innings in 32 starts. The thing about Gonzalez last year is that while he was not as flashy as Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg, he got the job done on a nightly basis....
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