MASN fans show off best Nats-themed Halloween costumes

MASN fans show off best Nats-themed Halloween costumes
Happy Halloween! Hope you're looking out for the Werewolf! Over this past Halloweekend, we asked our Twitter followers to submit their photos of their best Nationals-themed costumes. And in came the Bryce Harper-lookalikes, dogs dressed up as their owners' favorite players and more! Check out some of our favorite submissions below! @masnNationals went as @Anthonyrendon_6 pic.twitter.com/XSrWHEs4qJ -- Gabe (@RielTalk) October 29, 2016 Two superheroes! @masnNationals...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Relive "Nationals Classics": Pinch-hit walk-offs and opening day stars

Relive "Nationals Classics": Pinch-hit walk-offs and opening day stars
The baseball season will officially end this week when either the Indians or Cubs end their respective longstanding World Series championship drought. Whether that happens on Tuesday or Wednesday night remains to be seen, but nonetheless, the offseason looms and the countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting will begin. Lucky for you, the diehard Nationals fan who just wants baseball year-round, MASN is giving you the chance to relive classic Nats moments without needing any of those member...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Big no-no: Scherzer's wife throws away no-hitter jersey

Big no-no: Scherzer's wife throws away no-hitter jersey
Unfortunately, it's officially the offseason for the Nationals. As we watch the Cubs and Indians go head-to-head in the World Series, we are left to sit back and wonder what could have been. But for the players, it's time to get some things in order that they couldn't take care of during the season. Things like resting some nagging injuries, visiting friends and family, and even a little house cleaning. Well, one National's wife accidentally took the house cleaning a little too far. On...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

District 34 podcast: NLDS Game 5 preview

District 34 podcast: NLDS Game 5 preview
It all comes down to this: Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Nationals and Dodgers. The winner-take-all game doesn't start until 8 p.m. at Nats Park, so Byron Kerr and I have a preview episode of the District 34 podcast to get you ready for tonight's showdown. With a chance to advance to face the Cubs in the NLCS, the Nationals need just one more over the Dodgers after splitting the first four games of this series. So how did we get here? What have the Nationals done...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

It's Ross vs. Kershaw in Game 4

It's Ross vs. Kershaw in Game 4
We now know who will take the mound for Game 4 of the National League Division Series between the Nationals and Dodgers, set to begin at 5:05 p.m. EDT. Dusty Baker will send out right-hander Joe Ross for his first career postseason start, while Dave Roberts will call upon left-hander Clayton Kershaw on short rest and facing elimination. The Nationals' 8-3 win in Game 3 on Monday not only gave them a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series, but also gave them flexibility in setting their rotation...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Marty Niland: Lobaton's homer was no October surprise to Baker

Marty Niland: Lobaton's homer was no October surprise to Baker
The National League Division Series between the Nationals and Dodgers may be knotted at one game apiece, bit when it comes to drama and momentum, the Nats are clearly ahead after Sunday's 5-2 victory And while fans are rightly cheering backup catcher Jose Lobaton as the unlikely hero the team needed to even the series, let's not overlook one clear advantage the Nats have in this series that made his momentous fourth-inning swing possible: manager Dusty Baker. It's easy to criticize a...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Baker makes deft use of bullpen to get 14 outs, even series

Baker makes deft use of bullpen to get 14 outs, even series
The Nationals finally had the lead, courtesy of Jose Lobaton's three-run homer in the fourth inning, and manager Dusty Baker didn't want to take any chances when starting pitcher Tanner Roark started scuffling in the fifth. With his pitch count mounting and the Dodgers locking in on the right-hander, Baker made the call to the bullpen. Well, the first of many calls. Baker asked his relief corps to get the final 14 outs of a game and prevent the Nationals from going into an 0-2 hole in the...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Baker on Nationals' "upside-down" pitching options

Baker on Nationals' "upside-down" pitching options
The skies have cleared - apparently, all of those gusty winds are good for something - and there will be baseball today at Nationals Park. But there's little clarity in the Nationals' postseason rotation past left-hander Gio Gonzalez's start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Manager Dusty Baker said during his Sunday morning media briefing that the Nationals remain undecided who will start Games 4 and 5 of the NLDS, and that how the Nationals...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Baker says slumping Harper needs to counteract game plans being used against him

Baker says slumping Harper needs to counteract game plans being used against him
If there's any stress jockeying with Bryce Harper's confidence heading into Game 2 of the National League Division Series, the usually upbeat Nationals slugger isn't showing it. He arrived at Nationals Park shortly before noon, cruising down the hallway toward the home clubhouse on a Hoverboard, joking with a teammate as he maneuvered the craft on a concrete path. It's business as usual for Harper, even if the Nats need to win today to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole in the best-of-five...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Nats fans respond to team's pleas with electric postseason crowd

Nats fans respond to team's pleas with electric postseason crowd
Come early. Wear red. Be loud. Stay for the whole game. That was the message the Nationals and some in the local media were trying to get across to fans before the National League Division Series against the Dodgers began Friday in D.C. Message received. Nationals fans were out in full force for Game 1 at Nats Park, and although the Dodgers jumped out to an early lead and won the game 4-3, the stadium was electric throughout, with fans standing and being loud from the start. And the Nationals...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

NLDS notebook: Baker defends Murphy's unsuccessful dash to second

NLDS notebook: Baker defends Murphy's unsuccessful dash to second
Nationals manager Dusty Baker was his usual aggressive self in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The Nats pulled off a successful double steal, setting the stage for Anthony Rendon's two-run single in the third inning, but an unsuccessful theft attempt by Daniel Murphy in the seventh cost the Nats a scoring opportunity in a 4-3 loss to the Dodgers. With one out, Murphy drew a walk off Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez. With Rendon, who had already singled twice, at the plate, Murphy...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Opposite dugout: Dodgers, Kershaw have rough postseason history of their own

Opposite dugout: Dodgers, Kershaw have rough postseason history of their own
Manager: Dave Roberts (1st season) Record: 91-71 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Corey Seager (.308/.365/.512 with 26 HR, 72 RBIs), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.285/.349/.435 with 18 HR, 90 RBIs), 3B Justin Turner (.275/.339/.439 with 27 HR, 90 RBIs), LHP Clayton Kerhsaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (1.83 ERA with 47 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-1 Pitching probables: Oct. 7: LHP Clayton Kerhsaw vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 5:30 p.m., FS1 Oct. 8: LHP Rich Hill vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 4 p.m.,...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

District 34 podcast: Previewing the Nationals-Dodgers NLDS showdown

District 34 podcast: Previewing the Nationals-Dodgers NLDS showdown
Playoff baseball is back in Washington, D.C.! The Nationals and Dodgers will kick off their National League Division Series tomorrow at Nats Park with a Game 1 showdown between Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw. Daniel Murphy has had success in the postseason. Bryce Harper always seems to shine brightest on a big stage. Anthony Rendon has made huge contributions during the playoffs. And Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman always seem to come up clutch when needed. For our playoff preview episode of...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Marty Niland: Nats' postseason hero could be anyone

Marty Niland: Nats' postseason hero could be anyone
The Nationals are banged up as they enter the 2016 playoffs, with many of their top stars out or ailing for the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. But if they are going to give Washington a postseason series win for the first time since 1924, the Nats will still need a postseason hero to make it happen. Wilson Ramos is out for the whole postseason. Stephen Strasburg won't be pitching in at least the NLDS. Daniel Murphy is hobbled. Bryce Harper is still...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Patrick Reddington: Severino thrust into different role with Ramos injury

Patrick Reddington: Severino thrust into different role with Ramos injury
Pedro Severino caught Max Scherzer for the first time on Aug. 3rd in Arizona's Chase Field. Scherzer talked after the outing, an eight-inning start in which he allowed four hits and three earned runs, striking out 11, about getting to know the 23-year-old rookie and getting comfortable with Severino behind the plate. "It was great," Scherzer told reporters. "He did a great job behind the plate of getting me in rhythm and trying to get on the page with me and get some sequences right. "When...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Opposite dugout: In wake of tragedy, Marlins try to finish season on high note

Opposite dugout: In wake of tragedy, Marlins try to finish season on high note
Manager: Don Mattingly (1st season) Record: 78-80 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Christian Yelich (.292 with 20 HR, 95 RBIs), CF Marcell Ozuna (.264 with 23 HR, 75 RBIs), RF Giancarlo Stanton (27 HR, 74 RBIs), RHP Tom Koehler (4-13, 4.15 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (2.86 ERA with 39 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 8-8 Pitching probables: Sept. 30: RHP Andrew Cashner vs. RHP A.J. Cole, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Oct. 1: LHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 4:05 p.m., MASN2 Oct. 2: RHP Tom Koehler vs....
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

District 34 podcast: Injury updates heading into the postseason

District 34 podcast: Injury updates heading into the postseason
Playoff baseball is back in D.C.! The Nationals are back in the postseason after clinching their third National League East division title in five years last weekend, and will face the Dodgers in the National League Division Series. That series starts next Friday, but where it will begin remains to be seen. The Nationals hold a two-game lead over the Dodgers heading into today's series finale against the Diamondbacks at Nats Park. Their magic number to clinch home field advantage for the NLDS...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

David Huzzard: Nats need role players to step up

David Huzzard: Nats need role players to step up
Wilson Ramos is lost for the postseason, Stephen Strasburg will miss the series against the Dodgers, and Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy are dealing with nagging injuries. To say the Nationals are entering the postseason not in their best shape is an understatement. In order to make a deep playoff run, the Nationals are going to need some guys to step up. This isn't uncommon for the postseason and the Nationals have been on the receiving end of it. Joe Panik and Pete Kozma are far from...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Charlie Fliegel: Who steps up in Ramos' absence?

Charlie Fliegel: Who steps up in Ramos' absence?
The season-ending injury to Wilson Ramos is obviously a big blow to the Nationals. And with everything Ramos has gone through, especially after the season he was having, it's hard not to feel sad for him. But the loss of one player, even one who was the team's second-best hitter this year, won't end the Nats chances. Ramos hasn't exactly been hitting well recently, with only a .764 OPS in the second half, but the team's production hasn't diminished - August was, in fact, their best month...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments

Steve Mears: "Next man up" and the postseason roster

Steve Mears: "Next man up" and the postseason roster
The Nationals have been holding tryouts for the postseason roster, and last night, Dusty Baker made some calculated moves, some interesting moves and some moves out of necessity. The moves out of necessity were to replace Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy, as both are nursing injuries. Then Baker had to replace Wilson Ramos, who left the game with an apparent right knee injury. Baker went to Pedro Severino over Jose Lobaton in what Baker described after the game as "next man up." While you...
Continue reading
  0 Comments
0 Comments