nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: Brewers still smelling playoffs

August 30, 2017, 9:33pm

Manager: Craig Counsell (3rd season) Record: 69-64 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Travis Shaw (83 RBIs, 27 HR), CF Keon Broxton (20 HR, 19 SB), 1B Eric Thames (28 HR), RF Domingo Santana (22 HR, 66 RBIs), RHP Zach Davies (15-7, 3.91 ERA), RHP Corey Knebel (30 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 31: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Zach Davies, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 1: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jimmy Nelson, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 2: RHP Erick Fedde vs. RHP Brandon...

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Luke Erickson: Who they gonna call?

August 26, 2017, 11:03am

Nationals

For the first six seasons in D.C., Sept. 1 meant one thing for fans of the Washington Nationals: Let's see if any of these minor leaguers might make the team next spring. Like, for example, Ian Desmond in 2009, Wilson Ramos in 2010, and the trio of Steve Lombardozzi, Tommy Milone and Brad Peacock in 2011 (yes, it counts because Milone and Peacock were key pieces in the trade for Gio Gonzalez). But this season, like the last five, the Nats are playoff contenders and the expectations for the...

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Take a look back at MASN's Dan Kolko and Orbit's battle in Houston

August 25, 2017, 8:46am

Nationals

Take a look back at MASN's Dan Kolko and Orbit's battle in Houston

A few years ago, Houston Astros mascot Orbit began a friendly squabble with MASN's Dan Kolko. Orbit is known around the league for getting into comical situations with fans, players and teams. He has done everything from tiger hunting to holding interventions to having his own hot dog eating contest to escaping police custody! The past few times that the Nationals and the Astros have met in Houston, there have been plenty of hilarious altercations in games (and on social media) between Orbit...

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Marty Niland: Nats getting key plays from unlikely sources

August 27, 2017, 8:05pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats getting key plays from unlikely sources

How many injuries can the Nationals withstand and still maintain the second-best record in the National League? Let's hope that question remains rhetorical. But when an infielder who wasn't supposed to get out of the minor leagues this season and the 13th different man to play the outfield in 2017 are making key plays, it's not a bad idea to keep that question in mind. At 27, AdriÃ¡n Sanchez had been knocking around the Nats' minor league system for 10 seasons. He'd been hitting .254 at...

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Opposite dugout: Stanton making MVP case during Marlins' wild card push

August 27, 2017, 9:23am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Stanton making MVP case during Marlins' wild card push

Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season) Record: 66-63 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (.296/.389/.670 with 50 HR, 108 RBIs), LF Marcell Ozuna (.309/.377/.556 with 31 HR, 102 RBIs), 2B Dee Gordon (.292 with 46 stolen bases), RHP JosÃ© UreÃ±a (12-5, 3.68 ERA), RHP Brad Ziegler (4.61 ERA, 9 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-7 Pitching probables: Aug. 28: RHP JosÃ© UreÃ±a vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 29: RHP Vance Worley vs. RHP Edwin Jackson, 7:05 p.m.,...

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David Huzzard: Nationals have prospered against adversity

August 24, 2017, 8:18pm

Nationals

The Nationals have faced as much adversity possible for a team more than a dozen games up in their division in late August. There exists a subset of baseball fans that theorize that the teams that do best in the playoffs are those that have been battle-hardened by a tough division race or fight for the wild card. This is the typical type of adversity people think of, but the Nationals have faced a different kind and it may prove beneficial when they reach the playoffs this season. D.C. is the...

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Opposite dugout: Injuries, trades have left Mets a hollow shell

August 24, 2017, 8:06pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Injuries, trades have left Mets a hollow shell

Manager: Terry Collins (7th year) Record: 55-71 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: OF Yoenis CÃ©spedes (.292, 42 RBIs), 3B Wilmer Flores (42 RBIs), SS AsdrÃºbel Cabrera (35 RBIs, 20 doubles), OF Brandon Nimmo (.264), RHP Jacob deGrom (3.49 ERA), RHP AJ Ramos (23 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-9 Pitching probables: Aug. 25: RHP A.J. Cole vs. RHP Jacob deGrom, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 26: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Robert Gsellman, 4:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 27 (Game 1): RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP...

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Luke Erickson: Stadium woes for Nats' Single-A teams

August 22, 2017, 1:38pm

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Stadium woes for Nats' Single-A teams

For most of this century, the Nationals' full-season Single-A teams have been seeking new stadiums. Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown was built in 1930 and has been hosting professional ball for 61 of its 87 years. G. Richard Pfitzner stadium in Woodbridge was built in 1984 and has been home to the current Potomac franchise since its inception. There is an axiom in engineering: fast, cheap or good - pick two. Well, both stadiums were built quickly and economically. However, at the time they were...

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Opposite dugout: Despite injuries, Astros coasting toward postseason

August 21, 2017, 12:50pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Despite injuries, Astros coasting toward postseason

Manager: A.J. Hinch (3rd season) Record: 76-48 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B Jose Altuve (.362 with 171 hits, 29 SB), 3B Alex Bregman (.277 with 15 HR, 48 RBIs), OF George Springer (.303 with 28 HR, 70 RBIs), LHP Dallas Keuchel (11-2, 2.58 ERA, RHP Charlie Morton (10-5, 3.69 ERA). Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (0-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: Aug. 22: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Charlie Morton; 8:10 p.m., MASN2Aug. 23: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Mike Fiers; 8:10 p.m., MASNAug....

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David Huzzard: Commending the job Mike Rizzo has done

August 18, 2017, 6:08am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Commending the job Mike Rizzo has done

The Nationals can be viewed as either one of the luckiest teams in baseball or one of the unluckiest. But there is a third option and that is that general manager Mike Rizzo knows what he is doing. I would have said before this season that if the Nationals don't have a deep playoff run, Rizzo is as good as gone as GM. There are just some GMs, good enough to rebuild a team but not good at putting those final pieces in place to win it all. Rizzo has started to look like the latter, but this...

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Opposite dugout: Padres progressing through their rebuild

August 17, 2017, 5:51am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Padres progressing through their rebuild

Manager: Andy Green Record: 54-66 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Wil Myers (24 HR, 59 RBIs), LF Jose Pirela (.293/.344/.520), 2B Yangervis Solarte (.271/.347/.426), LHP Brad Hand (2.19 ERA, 10 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 17: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Jhoulys Chacin, 10:10 p.m., MASNAug. 18: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Luis Perdomo, 10:10 p.m., MASN2Aug. 19: TBA vs. LHP Travis Wood, 8:40 p.m., MASN2Aug. 20: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. TBA, 4:40 p.m., MASN2 Inside...

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Luke Erickson: Thoughts on that other fall baseball

August 16, 2017, 6:21pm

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Thoughts on that other fall baseball

With the minor league season winding down - Labor Day is the last day - thoughts start to turn to the Arizona Fall League. In theory, the AFL, which runs from Oct. 10-Nov. 18 this season, is a finishing school for the top prospects. In practice, it's not quite that. That's not to say that top prospects don't appear; they do, but not exclusively. Pitchers, for example, have a tendency to fit into one of three categories: injured, Rule 5 draft-eligible, marginal. Consequently, the offensive...

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Opposite dugout: Pitching a question as Angels make playoff push

August 13, 2017, 6:42pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Pitching a question as Angels make playoff push

Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 61-58 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.341, 23 HR, 55 RBIs), DH Albert Pujols (17 HR), SS Andrelton Simmons (.301, 55 RBIs, 17 SB), LF Cameron Maybin (25 SB), RHP Bud Norris (18 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 15: LHP Tyler Skaggs vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 16: RHP Ricky Nolasco vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 1:05 p.m., MASN Inside the Angels: The Angels have hovered around .500 for most of the...

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Opposite dugout: Struggles at plate and on mound have crippled Giants

August 09, 2017, 8:42pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Struggles at plate and on mound have crippled Giants

Manager: Bruce Bochy (11th season) Record: 46-70 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: C Buster Posey (.321 with 51 RBIs), CF Denard Span (24 doubles, 4 triples), 2B Joe Panik (20 doubles, 4 triples), LF Gorkys HernÃ¡ndez (9 stolen bases) RHP Hunter Strickland (2.09 ERA, 13 holds), RHP Mark Melancon (11 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: Aug. 12: RHP Chris Stratton vs. RHP Edwin Jackson, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 13: RHP Jeff Samardzija vs. RHP A.J. Cole, 1:05 p.m., MASN Aug....

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David Huzzard: Waiting for the regular season to end

August 10, 2017, 2:25pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Waiting for the regular season to end

The Nationals have such a commanding lead in the division that it has the same feeling as a losing season. It is like the Nationals are playing out the string, but instead of the season ending with golf outings and vacation, it will become exciting again and the Nationals will be in the playoffs. For now though, the Nationals are playing out the string. I'd say it should be a feeling familiar to Nats fans, but how many really exist that suffered through the 2008 and 2009 seasons? Let alone...

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MASN and COX hosting Social Media Weekend August 12-13 at The Bullpen

August 10, 2017, 6:43am

Nationals

MASN and COX hosting Social Media Weekend August 12-13 at The Bullpen

This Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13, MASN and COX will be hosting Social Media Weekend at The Bullpen next to Nationals Park! Fans will have the opportunity to collect unique Nationals prizes at both the MASN and COX booths, and can try their swinging luck at the Cox Virtual Home Run Derby! Think you can hit a homer? Try your luck! The Cox Virtual Home Run Derby is available prior to each game Saturday and Sunday. For updates on the event and how to win prizes, be sure to RSVP on...

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Luke Erickson: Are any Nats affiliates playoff bound?

August 06, 2017, 10:13am

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Are any Nats affiliates playoff bound?

If you've been following the Nationals' minors closely (*ahem*), you'd know this ranges from virtually impossible (DSL Nats, Syracuse) to almost laughable (Potomac, Harrisburg, Auburn; all in last place by several games). Two of the affiliates, however, are in contention. If you're one to bring the tartar sauce while going after your white whale, you might make the argument that these two teams - the Gulf Coast League Nationals and the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns - are the ideal. The...

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"Come As You Were": '90s night coming to Nats Park

August 06, 2017, 8:12am

Nationals

"Come As You Were": '90s night coming to Nats Park

'90s night is coming to Nats Park on August 11 as the Nationals take on the Giants! Over the past two seasons, the Nats have put on successful '80s-themed nights where fans, players and on-air personalities dressed in '80s-themed costumes, making for a radical night at the game. This season, the Nats have decided to change up the decades and go with a '90s-themed night full of feathered bangs and spiky hair, Air Jordans, Tamagotchis, all the cartoons and your favorite entertainment from the...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins' big numbers don't show in their record

August 06, 2017, 2:55pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins' big numbers don't show in their record

Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season) Record: 52-57 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (36 home runs), LF Marcell Ozuna (26 homers, 87 RBIs), 2B Dee Gordon (40 stolen bases), CF Christian Yelich (24 doubles, 9 stolen bases), C J.T. Realmuto (.306 average), Brad Zeigler (6.10 ERA, 2 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-4 Pitching probables: Aug. 7: LHP Chris O'Grady vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 8: RHP Vance Worley vs. RHP A.J. Cole, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 9: LHP...

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Marty Niland: Nats bench gaining valuable experience for postseason

August 06, 2017, 6:15pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats bench gaining valuable experience for postseason

The dog days of August are proving to be a grind for the Nationals, playing .500 ball in their past 10 games. But while they endure this rough patch of injuries and a sometimes sputtering offense, they are laying valuable groundwork for the postseason. Let's face it, with a 13-game lead in the National League East and none of the other teams playing even .500 ball, it's extremely likely the Nats will win their fourth division title in six seasons. While this might be the most exciting team...