nationals buzz

NLDS game blog: Stasburg looks to get Nats off to strong start

October 06, 2017, 2:12pm

It's finally here. Postseason baseball is back in our nation's capital as the Nationals welcome the defending World Series champion Cubs for the National League Division Series. There's no way to understate the importance of Game 1 in a playoff series, especially in a five-game set. The winner of the series' first game advances 72 percent of the time. And just look at the Nationals' postseason history: Obviously, they have lost all three of their previous playoff series, but they have only...

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco cubs nationals nationals buzz nlds postseason stephen strasburg bryce harper anthony rendon dan kolko fp santangelo mark zuckerman sara perlman

Opposite dugout: Defending champion Cubs begin postseason with bull's-eye on their backs

October 05, 2017, 9:21am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Defending champion Cubs begin postseason with bull's-eye on their backs

Manager: Joe Maddon (4th season) Record: 92-70 (won NL Central) Who to watch: 3B Kris Bryant (.295/.409/.537 with 29 HR, 73 RBIs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (32 HR, 109 RBIs), C Willson Contreras (23 HR, 75 RBIs), LF Kyle Schwarber (30 HR, 59 RBIs), RHP Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.03 ERA), RHP Jake Arrieta (14-10, 3.53 ERA), LHP Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (2.30 ERA, 32 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-4 Pitching probables: Oct. 6: RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:31 p.m.,...

Comments

Tags:

cubs nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout pete kerzel frontstory_nationals3 nlds postseason

Opposite dugout: September slide cements losing season for Pirates

September 27, 2017, 8:06am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: September slide cements losing season for Pirates

Manager: Clint Hurdle (7th season) Record: 73-85 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (87 RBIs, 28 HR), LF Starling Marte (20 steals), 1B Josh Bell (87 RBIs, 25 HR), RHP Gerrit Cole (1.239 WHIP), LHP Felipe Rivero (20 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Sept. 28: RHP Ivan Nova vs. RHP Edwin Jackson, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 29: RHP Gerrit Cole vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 30: RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Oct....

Comments

Tags:

doug miller nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout pirates

Luke Erickson: Looking ahead to 2018

September 06, 2017, 5:23am

Nationals

While the parent Nationals have a little more than a month to go - six or seven weeks if they can advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history - the season in the minors ends tomorrow. On a won-loss basis, 2017 was a disaster, nestled somewhere on the spectrum between "Ishtar" and Dan Snyder's tenure as an owner. Just two of the seven affiliates finished above .500, the rest finished (or will finish) in last place, lowlighted by the Syracuse...

Comments

Tags:

andrew stevenson carter kieboom daniel johnson erick fedde guest blogger guestblogger juan soto kelvin gutierrez luke erickson nationals nationals buzz victor robles

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope second-half momentum carries into 2018

September 24, 2017, 1:21pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope second-half momentum carries into 2018

Manager: Pete Mackanin (3rd season) Record: 62-94 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Rhys Hoskins (.278 with 18 HR, 46 RBIs); 1B Tommy Joseph (.238 with 22 HR, 68 RBIs); 3B Maikel Franco (.231 with 21 HR, 70 RBIs); RHP Aaron Nola (12-10, 3.56 ERA); RHP HÃ©ctor Neris (3.18 ERA, 23 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-10 Pitching probables: Sep. 25: RHP A.J. Cole vs. RHP Aaron Nola; 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 26: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jake Thompson; 7:05 p.m., MASNSep. 27: RHP Tanner Roark vs....

Comments

Tags:

brian eller nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout phillies

Marty Niland : Three reasons the Nats will prosper in the playoffs

September 25, 2017, 5:25am

Nationals

Marty Niland : Three reasons the Nats will prosper in the playoffs

It's fun to be a Nationals fan right now. The team is winning on its final road trip of a record-setting offensive season. It has locked up home-field advantage in the National League Division Series and Bryce Harper is most likely headed back into action for the final week of the regular season. That's all great news for fans that feel like their luck runs out in late September and early October, even in the best of years. In the final weeks of the 2016 season, pitcher Stephen Strasburg and...

Comments

Tags:

guest blogger guestblogger marty niland nationals nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: Braves hoping to finish season on a high note

September 18, 2017, 3:49pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves hoping to finish season on a high note

Manager: Brian Snitker (2nd season) Record: 67-81 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.318 with 27 HR, 69 RBIs), CF Ender Inciarte (.305 with 190 hits, 23 2B), RF Nick Markakis (.276 with 150 hits, 36 2B), LHP Sean Newcomb (3-8, 2.73 ERA), RHP Arodys VizcaÃno (5-3, 11 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 8-8 Pitching probables: Sep. 19: RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP Luiz Gohara, 7:35 p.m., MASN2Sep. 20: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Lucas Sims, 7:35 p.m., MASN2Sep. 21: RHP Tanner Roark...

Comments

Tags:

braves brian eller nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout frontstory_nationals3

Opposite dugout: Mets to go through changes in offseason

September 21, 2017, 1:51pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets to go through changes in offseason

Manager: Terry Collins (7th year) Record: 65-97 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: SS AsdrÃºbal Cabrera (.276 with 52 RBIs, 31 doubles), 3B Wilmer Flores (.271 with 18 HR, 52 RBIs), OF Brandon Nimmo (.268), RHP Jacob deGrom (15-9 with 3.55 ERA), LHP Jerry Blevins (3.04 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-11 Pitching probables: Sept. 22: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Robert Gsellman, 7:10 p.m., MASN Sept. 23: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Matt Harvey, 7:10 p.m., MASN Sept. 24: RHP Max Scherzer vs....

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco mets nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope Hoskins continues to shine in September

September 06, 2017, 12:54pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope Hoskins continues to shine in September

Manager: Pete Mackanin (3rd season) Record: 53-86 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Rhys Hoskins (.309/.425/.734 with 12 HR, 27 RBIs), CF OdÃºbel Herrera (.288/.333/.465 with 12 HR, 48 RBIs), 1B Tommy Joseph (20 HR, 65 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (10-10, 3.72 ERA), RHP HÃ©ctor Neris (3.02 ERA with 19 saves)Season series vs. Nationals: 5-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 7: RHP Aaron Nola vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASNSept. 8: RHP Jake Thompson vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN2Sept. 9: RHP...

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout phillies

David Huzzard: Workmanlike Rendon deserves NL MVP honors

September 22, 2017, 5:24am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Workmanlike Rendon deserves NL MVP honors

Years ago, I set in the cold, metal bleachers for a night game at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Va. I was there not only because I enjoy baseball, but to watch a Nationals prospect named Anthony Rendon. It is easy to tell the legit prospects from the organizational talent at that level and it has nothing to do with skill. Rendon was giant compared to the other minor leaguers. Looking at him now it would be hard to believe. He's not a large major league player but compared to the other...

Comments

Tags:

anthony rendon david huzzard guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz

District 34 podcast: Figuring out Nats' playoff roster after clinching division

September 20, 2017, 9:26am

Nationals

District 34 podcast: Figuring out Nats' playoff roster after clinching division

On the last episode of the District 34 podcast, Byron and I were counting down to the Nationals clinching their second straight division title. Well, on Sept. 10, they did (with some help from the Braves) to secure the team's fourth National League East crown in six seasons and a spot in this year's playoffs. To start this episode, we recap the celebration that took place at Nationals Park that day and what this division championship means for the Nats, Dusty Baker and Washington, D.C. as a...

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco bryce harper byron kerr district 34 frontstory_nationals2 max scherzer nationals nationals buzz nlds podcast postseason ryan zimmerman trea turner

Marty Niland: Let's keep Baker, the best Washington manager ever

September 18, 2017, 4:43am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Let's keep Baker, the best Washington manager ever

As the Nationals close out the regular season and prepare for the National League Division Series, the focus of fans' attention turns away from the players on the field and into the dugout and manager Dusty Baker. The 68-year-old skipper has already taken an injury-riddled squad through the gauntlet of a major league regular season to an unprecedented second straight division title, and now must keep his players sharp, yet healthy, as he guides them through the next two weeks. But he accepts...

Comments

Tags:

dusty baker guest blogger guestblogger marty niland nationals nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: After long skid, Dodgers no longer a lock for best NL record

September 13, 2017, 6:27pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: After long skid, Dodgers no longer a lock for best NL record

Manager: Dave Roberts (2nd season) Record: 94-52 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Justin Turner (.326/.419/.536 with 19 HR, 67 RBIs), SS Corey Seager (.305/.385/.489 with 19 HR, 68 RBIs), 2B Chris Taylor (.296 with 19 HR, 67 RBIs), LF Cody Bellinger (37 HR, 86 RBIs), LHP Alex Wood (14-3, 2.81 ERA), LHP Rich Hill (9-8, 3.67 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (5-0, 1.29 ERA, 37 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Sept. 15: LHP Alex Wood vs. RHP Edwin Jackson, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept....

Comments

Tags:

dodgers nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout pete kerzel

David Huzzard: Nats need not concern themselves with playoff matchups

September 15, 2017, 5:48am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats need not concern themselves with playoff matchups

There is going to be a side story to the Dodgers-Nationals series this weekend, and like many side stories, it is flat and pointless, a time-filler to help get to the end of the season. Kind of like my run on sentences. This story is not a tale as old as time but it is one that is asked all the time of fans, players, media and front office staff: Who would you rather play in the first round? The Cubs have suffered a World Series hangover and limped through the season, but still have Anthony...

Comments

Tags:

cubs david huzzard diamondbacks dodgers guest blogger guestblogger nationals nationals buzz rockies

Opposite dugout: Braves floating on string of walk-off wins

September 11, 2017, 7:57am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves floating on string of walk-off wins

Manager: Brian Snitker (2nd year) Record: 64-78 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (25 HR, 30 doubles), CF Ender Inciarte (21 SB), RF Nick Markakis (69 RBIs, 36 doubles), RHP JosÃ© RamÃrez (25 holds), RHP Arodys VizcaÃno (10 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 12: RHP Julio Teheran vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 13: LHP Luiz Gohara vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 14: RHP Mike Foltynewicz vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05...

Comments

Tags:

braves doug miller nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout frontstory_nationals3

Marty Niland: Nats and their fans get the celebration they deserve

September 11, 2017, 6:33am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats and their fans get the celebration they deserve

We partied like it was 1933. For the first time in several generations, Washington baseball fans celebrated a championship the right way: on their home field after a win. It hadn't happened in Washington since Sept. 21, 1933, when the original Nats beat the St. Louis Browns 2-1 at Griffith Stadium. After Lefty Stewart tossed a complete game for his 15th win of the season, a team that included future Hall of Famers Joe Cronin, Goose Goslin, Heinie Manush and Sam Rice popped champagne to...

Comments

Tags:

clinchmas guest blogger guestblogger marty niland nationals nationals buzz postseason

David Huzzard: Top three in rotation are undisputed advantage for Nats

September 08, 2017, 5:45am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Top three in rotation are undisputed advantage for Nats

2.19, 2.50, 2.78 - that isn't just a random collection of numbers, those are the ERAa of the Nationals' top three starting pitchers, Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg. Those three rank second, third and fourth in ERA and first and 11th in FIP (Strasburg and Scherzer are tied). Scherzer is the current front-runner for NL Cy Young with a healthy lead in all the categories the voters are going to look at. He has the second-best ERA in the league, the best FIP and WAR, leads in...

Comments

Tags:

david huzzard gio gonzalez guest blogger guestblogger max scherzer nationals nationals buzz stephen strasburg

District 34 podcast: Nats still recovering during final playoff push

September 05, 2017, 10:29am

Nationals

District 34 podcast: Nats still recovering during final playoff push

Long time no see, Nationals fans! Sorry for the hiatus over the past couple of weeks, but have no fear, we are finally back with a new episode of the District 34 podcast! The Nationals' magic number to clinch the National League East is down to 10, so they can theoretically clinch their second straight division title within a week. That's quite an accomplishment considering how many injuries this ballclub has endured throughout the season. Byron Kerr and I run through the injury list and...

Comments

Tags:

bobby blanco bryce harper byron kerr district 34 dusty baker howie kendrick mike rizzo nationals nationals buzz podcast wilmer difo frontstory_nationals2

Opposite dugout: Marlins need a strong finish for chance at postseason

September 03, 2017, 9:13pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins need a strong finish for chance at postseason

Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season) Record: 67-69 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (.285 average with 52 HR, 111 RBIs); LF Marcell Ozuna (.307 average with 32 HR, 107 RBIs); CF Christian Yelich (.288 average with 70 RBIs; 145 hits); LHP Adam Conley (6-6, 5.02 ERA); RHP AJ Ramos (3.63 ERA, 20 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-10 Pitching probables: Sep. 4: TBA vs. LHP Adam Conley; 7:10 p.m., MASNSep. 5: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Odrisamer Despaigne; 7:10 p.m.,...

Comments

Tags:

brian eller marlins nationals nationals buzz opposite dugout

David Huzzard: Does Harper's absence create an opportunity?

September 01, 2017, 5:36am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Does Harper's absence create an opportunity?

Bryce Harper is the most important player to the Nationals' success, yet his absence creates an opportunity for the Nationals to find out if they really need him. Ask yourself: How good does a player have to be to be worth what Harper is going to command in free agency, and will Harper really command that much. The second part of that question is important because if the Nationals decide to offer Harper an extension this offseason, they need to be close to what he and his agent believe he is...