nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: Cubs gaining momentum to start possible playoff preview with Nats

August 03, 2017, 8:05am

Manager: Joe Maddon (3rd season) Record: 57-50 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Kris Bryant (.274/.388/.511 with 20 HR, 47 RBIs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.263/.392/.523 with 26 HR, 70 RBIs), C Wilson Contreras (.276/.347/.508 with 18 HR, 65 RBIs), RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-3, 3.80 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (2.43 ERA, 22 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 4: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Kyle Kendricks, 2:20 p.m., MASN Aug. 5: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP John Lackey, 2:20 p.m., MASN...

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David Huzzard: Dusty Baker is better than some think

August 04, 2017, 5:47am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Dusty Baker is better than some think

My opinion on Dusty Baker started to change sometime before the Nationals hired him. His name came up often whenever a job opened up and he was mentioned often by broadcasters when Matt Williams was the manager of the Nats. My thought on Baker started to be why is a manager that has done nothing but win in his career so disliked by a certain segment of fans? I've read "The Book" and "Moneyball" and I visit FanGraphs.com on a near daily basis, but at some point when the results are so...

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Luke Erickson: Finally, some promotions

August 01, 2017, 5:10am

Nationals

If there's one thing that marked the 2017 season in the Nationals minors, it's how few, far between and slow promotions have been. To clarify, I'm talking about upward moves from the low-to-mid minors based on merit, not the needs-based shift from Triple-A to the majors. Granted, nobody in their right mind wants to return to the days when an old-for-the-level, low Single-A guy is moved to Double-a in the space of 10 days (Bill Rhinehart, 2008) or a southpaw moved up from high Single-A to the...

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Marty Niland: D.C. needs sports stars like Howard and Zimmerman

July 31, 2017, 6:02am

Nationals

Marty Niland: D.C. needs sports stars like Howard and Zimmerman

Sunday was a day Nationals fans should long remember. On that sunny afternoon, they got to celebrate a baseball milestone along with two men who became stars at times when their teams and fans needed it. In the third inning of the Nats' 10-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies, Ryan Zimmerman sent a fly ball over the right field fence and into the Nats bullpen for his 238th career homer, surpassing Frank Howard for the most ever hit by a player in a Washington uniform. Zimmerman later hit a solo shot...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins sellers at the deadline, giving up on 2017

July 31, 2017, 5:44am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins sellers at the deadline, giving up on 2017

Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season) Record: 49-54 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (33 HR, 73 RBIs), LF Marcell Ozuna (.312/.371/.558), 2B Dee Gordon (.297 average, 38 SBs), C J.T. Realmuto (.311 average), RHP JosÃ© UreÃ±a (4.04 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-3 Pitching probables: July 31: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP JosÃ© UreÃ±a, 7:10 p.m., MASN August 1: RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP Chris O'Grady, 7:10 p.m., MASNAugust 2: TBA vs. RHP Vance Worley, 7:10 p.m.,...

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Opposite dugout: Rockies hope potent offense carries them to postseason

July 27, 2017, 12:08pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Rockies hope potent offense carries them to postseason

Manager: Bud Black (1st season) Record: 58-45 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B DJ LeMahieu (.312), 3B Nolan Arenado (.313 with 23 HR, 89 RBIs), 1B Mark Reynolds (22 HR, 70 RBIs), CF Charlie Blackmon (.326/.379/.609), LHP Kyle Freeland (10-7, 3.64 ERA), RHP Greg Holland (31 saves, 1.72 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-3 Pitching probables: July 28: RHP German MÃ¡rquez vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 29: LHP Kyle Freeland vs. RHP Erick Fedde, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 30: RHP Jon...

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David Huzzard: Stop pointless debates and enjoy what's happening on the field

July 28, 2017, 5:36am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Stop pointless debates and enjoy what's happening on the field

When I was growing up, Washington D.C., was the murder capital of the world and currently the Nationals are murdering baseballs at an alarming rate. The third inning of yesterday's game saw a quintuple homicide committed at Nats Park. But as with anything that's fun, there are always people that want to ruin it. Seriously, go to your Twitter right now and type in something you think is fun and declare your joy for it, and I'm sure one of the first responses will be someone looking to rain on...

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MASN and COX kick off Social Media Weekend July 29-30 at The Bullpen

July 25, 2017, 7:43am

Nationals

MASN and COX kick off Social Media Weekend July 29-30 at The Bullpen

This Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, MASN and COX will be kicking off 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! Sara Perlman (@saraperlman) of "MASN All Access" will be on site to interact with fans of all ages on Saturday to kick off the festivities. For updates on the event and how to win prizes, be...

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Luke Erickson: The season-ticket holder experience in the minors

July 24, 2017, 4:16pm

Nationals

Luke Erickson: The season-ticket holder experience in the minors

For the past several years of writing online about the Nationals minor leaguers, I've had to make the disclosure that I'm a season-ticket holder to Washington's high Single-A affiliate in Potomac. Well, maybe not "had to," but I've felt the need to as a matter of integrity and my experience as a newspaperman (I'm old enough to have actually cut and paste with an X-acto knife and a wax machine). It's also because the inference that I might be a "homer" because I root for many of these...

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Opposite dugout: Brewers aim to regain form after letting Cubs catch up

July 24, 2017, 9:21am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Brewers aim to regain form after letting Cubs catch up

Manager: Craig Counsell (3rd season) Record: 53-48 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: C Manny PiÃ±a (.294), 1B Eric Thames (23 HR), 3B Travis Shaw (70 RBIs, 22 HR, 24 doubles), 2B Jonathan Villar (19 SB), LF Ryan Braun (.272/.356/.562), RHP Corey Knebel (1.75 ERA, 17 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (4-2 in 2016) Pitching probables: July 25: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Zach Davies, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 July 26: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jimmy Nelson, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 27: RHP Max...

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Marty Niland: Despite injuries and bullpen woes, Nats making the best of it

July 24, 2017, 5:37am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Despite injuries and bullpen woes, Nats making the best of it

How are you feeling about the Nationals season so far? Are you one of those glass-half-empty types who believe that the 59-38 Nats have underachieved this season and should be competing with the Dodgers for baseball's best record, if not for so many wasted scoring opportunities and blown leads? Or is your glass half-full, thankful that the team is 21 games over .500 with the biggest division lead in the National League - 12 games approaching the end of July - despite what has been baseball's...

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Opposite dugout: Bullpen has Diamondbacks in playoff contention

July 20, 2017, 7:52pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Bullpen has Diamondbacks in playoff contention

Manager: Torey Lovullo (1st season) Record: 55-40 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 3B Jake Lamb (22 HR, 76 RBIs), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.311/.427/.569), RF David Peralta (.320 average), LHP Robbie Ray (2.97 ERA, 1.21 WHIP), RHP Fernando Rodney (22 saves) Pitching probables: July 21: RHP Max Scherzer vs. TBA, 9:40 p.m., MASN2July 22: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Zack Godley, 8:10 p.m., MASN2July 23: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. LHP Robbie Ray, 4:10 p.m., MASN2 Inside the Diamondbacks: In 2016, the...

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David Huzzard: Trade for relief help puts Nats in strong position

July 21, 2017, 5:40am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Trade for relief help puts Nats in strong position

The recent acquisition of Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson helps the Nationals bullpen. It added two much-needed proven, veteran arms to a 'pen that was lacking everything. Madson brings his 2.01 ERA and 2.39 FIP, and Doolittle his 3.63 ERA and 2.51 FIP. While these two are instantly the best relievers in the Nationals bullpen, all reports indicate the Nationals are far from finished in looking to add talent to a bullpen that has severely lacked it for most of the season. If the Nationals are...

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District 34 podcast: Nats make blockbuster trade to bolster bullpen

July 19, 2017, 9:54am

Nationals

District 34 podcast: Nats make blockbuster trade to bolster bullpen

It was always a matter of when not if the Nationals would make a trade to bolster their bullpen, and it finally happened over the weekend. Byron Kerr and I are back to break down the acquisition of right-hander Ryan Madson and left-hander Sean Doolittle from the A's and the ripple effect on the Nats bullpen on a new episode of the District 34 podcast. Madson and Doolittle both made their Nationals debuts in a 4-3 win over the Angels Tuesday night, with the righty putting together a shutdown...

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Luke Erickson: Is anyone really untouchable in a trade?

July 18, 2017, 10:26am

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Is anyone really untouchable in a trade?

When this guest blog was first written, it was about how the injury to Joe Ross would force a trade and that the Nationals may have to consider trading one or more of their so-called untouchable players, outfielder Victor Robles and Erick Fedde. Instead, Washington and Oakland executed their 432nd 11th trade this decade with right-hander Blake Treinen, infielder Sheldon Neuse and left-hander Jesus Luzardo going to the Bay Area and left-hander Sean Doolittle and right-hander Ryan Madson coming...

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Opposite dugout: Angels hope Trout's return is catalyst in wild card race

July 17, 2017, 10:33am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Angels hope Trout's return is catalyst in wild card race

Manager: Mike Scioscia (18th season) Record: 46-49 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Mike Trout (.337/.457/.714 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.291 with 39 RBIs), DH Albert Pujols (14 HR, 56 RBIs), RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 4.82 ERA), RHP Bud Norris (2.35 ERA, 14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-1 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 18: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP Jesse Chavez, 10:07 p.m., MASN2 July 19: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco, 10:07 p.m.,...

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Gio Gonzalez discusses July 27th Uncork for A Cause with MASN's Dan Kolko

July 17, 2017, 8:08am

Nationals

Gio Gonzalez discusses July 27th Uncork for A Cause with MASN's Dan Kolko

Last month, Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez sat down with MASN's Dan Kolko to discuss his upcoming Uncork for a Cause charity event on July 27, and what it means to be in a position to give back to his hometown. Uncork for a Cause is an opportunity for professional athletes and celebrities to continue to be community leaders and to support charities that are close to their hearts. Originally established by TAG sports, the event is a one-of-a-kind experience with a fantastic selection of food...

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Bryce Harper makes "Jeopardy!" for second time

July 17, 2017, 8:03am

Nationals

Bryce Harper makes "Jeopardy!" for second time

For any Nationals fan, or frankly any baseball fan, the answer to this "Jeopardy!" question on Thursday, July 13 was fairly easy: Bryce Harper makes Jeopardy (via @KcannonDFS and @charlcies) pic.twitter.com/6QXRl2Ek0r -- Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) July 13, 2017 Although, as Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post pointed out, Bryce Harper hasn't been called "Bam Bam" in nearly four years. So this could have gone over most fans' heads. This is the second time the five-time All-Star has...

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Opposite dugout: Reds still in the midst of rebuilding process

July 13, 2017, 6:56pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Reds still in the midst of rebuilding process

Manager: Bryan Price (4th season) Record: 39-49 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Joey Votto (26 HR, 68 RBIs), SS Zach Cozart (.316/.394/.547), CF Billy Hamilton (38 stolen bases), RHP Raisel Iglesias (1.69 ERA, 16 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: July 14: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Tim Adleman, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 15: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Luis Castillo, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 16: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Homer Bailey, 1:10 p.m., MASN2 July 17: RHP Stephen...

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David Huzzard: How Nats can add relievers by adding to payroll

July 14, 2017, 12:39pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: How Nats can add relievers by adding to payroll

There are two ways to add players from outside the organization. That is by spending money or spending talent. Most trades are completed by spending talent, but there is a way to spend money and make a trade that might present the Nationals with the best option for improvement this deadline. The rumors have begun swirling, and according to one writer's source the Tigers have no interest in moving right-hander Justin Verlander and according to another writer's source they aren't shopping him...