nationals buzz

David Huzzard: What is the impact of the the Nats' bad bullpen?

July 07, 2017, 5:19am

I had a question earlier this week on the Nationals bullpen. It was a simple one: Exactly how many ninth-inning blown saves have they had and where does that compare to the league average? The Nationals have 14 total blown saves, but because a lot of old-timey baseball stats are dumb, that counts a blown lead by a reliever in any inning and not just the ninth. The answer for how many ninth-inning blown saves has to be found by looking at how many times the Nationals had a lead entering the...

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Opposite dugout: Freeman's return gives Braves a glimmer of hope

July 06, 2017, 4:43am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Freeman's return gives Braves a glimmer of hope

Manager: Brian Snitker (2nd year) Record: 40-43 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (49-for-143, 14 HR), C Tyler Flowers (.319/.412/.459) LF Matt Kemp (21 doubles, 12 HR) CF Ender Inciarte (11 stolen bases) RF Nick Markakis (42 RBIs), RHP Jim Johnson (18 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-5 Pitching probables: July 6: RHP Mike Foltynewicz vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 7: RHP R.A. Dickey vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 8: RHP Julio Teheran vs. RHP...

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Luke Erickson: Why the Syracuse Chiefs struggle

July 04, 2017, 3:12pm

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Why the Syracuse Chiefs struggle

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs won 61 games in 2016, surpassed by everyone in the International League but Omaha (58). The 2017 edition of the Chiefs is on pace to win just 53 games. In nine seasons of affiliation with the Nationals, the fans in Syracuse, as I've been reminded me on more than one occasion, have seen just two winning seasons - 2012 and 2014. One thing that needs to be made clear is that while Triple-A is the highest classification of the minors, it's no longer where you'll find...

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Send Anthony Rendon to All-Star Game in Final Vote

July 02, 2017, 3:09pm

Nationals

Send Anthony Rendon to All-Star Game in Final Vote

Entering Sunday before the 2017 All-Star teams were announced, Anthony Rendon was batting .298 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs, already the most he's had for the first half of a season in his career. His .399 on-base percentage, .555 slugging percentage and .954 OPS led all qualifying National League third baseman. And his 3.4 WAR currently ranks first among all major league third basemen, third overall in the league and fifth in all of baseball. Oh, and have you seen what he can do with his...

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Opposite dugout: Mets looking to change fortune against Nats before break

July 01, 2017, 3:51pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets looking to change fortune against Nats before break

Manager: Terry Collins (7th season) Record: 38-43 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Jay Bruce (.261 with 20 HR, 55 RBIs), LF Yoenis CÃ©spedes (.281/.347/.541 with 9 HR, 19 RBIs), 1B Lucas Duda (14 HR, 30 RBIs), RHP Jacob deGrom (8-3, 3.55 ERA, 125 strikeouts), RHP Addison Reed (2.59 ERA, 14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-7 Pitching probables: July 3: LHP Steven Matz vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 6:05 p.m., MASN2 July 4: RHP Seth Lugo vs. RHP Joe Ross, 11:05 a.m., MASN July 5: RHP Jacob...

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Marty Niland: It's far from panic time for Nats fans

July 02, 2017, 1:21pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: It's far from panic time for Nats fans

From the sense of panic among Nationals fans these days, you would think the team is in last place, rather than on a pace to win more than 90 games. Let's calm down and let general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dusty Baker do their jobs. It's far too early for predictions of collapse. After Trea Turner broke his wrist, joining previous leadoff man Adam Eaton on the disabled list, Nats fans on Twitter started posting messages of gloom and doom. Perhaps the best was, "Leading off the the Nats...

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MASN gives fans hilarious look into daily life of Dan Kolko

June 29, 2017, 11:08am

Nationals

MASN gives fans hilarious look into daily life of Dan Kolko

Nationals fans know that MASN on-field reporter Dan Kolko, who is in his fourth season as a member of MASN's broadcast team, is always bringing them behind-the-scenes views during home and road games. Now, "MASN All-Access" - along with Kolko's MASN colleagues Bob Carpenter, F.P. Santangelo and Mark Zuckerman - is giving fans an exclusive, hilarious look into the daily routine of "MASN Dan" and his preparation throughout the season. You go, Dan Kolko! Video by Paul MancanoArticle by...

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David Huzzard: Nats should rekindle trade talks for McCutchen

June 30, 2017, 6:01am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats should rekindle trade talks for McCutchen

Baseball is considered a slow sport. All the discussions on how to get young people to pay attention to the game recently are centered around pace of play, but it sure does seem to move fast at times. A week ago leadoff hitter and shortstop was the least of the Nationals' concerns and this week it has moved to the top of the docket. With a 9 1/2-game lead in the division and every division rival looking like a seller this deadline, the Nationals place atop the division is as secure as it is...

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Opposite dugout: Cards in unfamiliar territory looking up at NL Central leaders

June 28, 2017, 6:30pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Cards in unfamiliar territory looking up at NL Central leaders

Manager: Mike Matheny (6th season) Record: 37-41 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Jedd Gyorko (.298 with 12 HR, 39 RBIs), 1B Matt Carpenter (14 HR, 40 RBIs), CF Tommy Pham (.284 with 9 HR, 25 RBIs), C Yadier Molina (9 HR, 31 RIs), RHP Mike Leake (5-6, 3.12 ERA), RHP Carlos MartÃnez (6-6, 2.88 ERA), RHP Seung Hwan Oh (16 saves, 3.75 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 30: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Mike Leake, 8:15 p.m., MASN2 July 1: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP...

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Luke Erickson: A look at the Potomac Nationals at the half

June 27, 2017, 8:14pm

Nationals

While Bill Parcells is wildly overrated as a coach, his maxim of "You are what your record says you are," is spot-on, and applies to the Potomac Nationals this year. The P-Nats almost finished .500 in the first half, falling two games short at 33-37, and haven't been above the break-even mark since May 13. Simply put, they're not quite good enough to win consistently. This is not to say there haven't been bright spots. Victor Robles is the Nationals' No. 1 prospect in the organization and...

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Marty Niland: Cubs-Nats series is loaded with history

June 26, 2017, 5:22am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Cubs-Nats series is loaded with history

If a date with the World Series champions and a potential postseason preview won't give Nationals fans enough to talk about this week, the Nats' series with the Cubs will offer plenty of history. The two teams, as well as mangers Joe Maddon of the Cubs and Dusty Baker of the Nationals, have a more than bit of a past between and among them, and we only have to go back to last season to start. The Nationals were coming off a blistering 16-7 April and had won three of their first four in May...

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Opposite dugout: Defending champion Cubs still out of sorts

June 25, 2017, 6:10pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Defending champion Cubs still out of sorts

Manager: Joe Maddon (3rd season)Record: 38-37 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Kris Bryant (.263 with 16 HR, 31 RBIs); 1B Anthony Rizzo (.261 with 17 HR, 48 RBIs); SS Addison Russell (.232 with 53 hits); RHP Jake Arrieta (7-5, 4.36 ERA); LHP Jon Lester (5-4, 3.83 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1st meeting (5-2 in 2016) Pitching probables: Monday, June 26: RHP Eddie Butler vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASNTuesday, June 27: RHP Jake Arrieta vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m.,...

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Opposite dugout: Early-season success a distant memory for last-place Reds

June 22, 2017, 4:30pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Early-season success a distant memory for last-place Reds

Manager: Bryan Price (4th season) Record: 30-41 Last 10 games: 1-9 Who to watch: 1B Joey Votto (.306/.419/.601 with 20 HR, 53 RBIs), LF Adam Duvall (.277 with 16 HR, 48 RBIs), RF Scott Schebler (20 HR, 39 RBIs), RHP Scott Feldman (5-5, 4.20 ERA), RHP Raisel Iglesias (1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2016) Pitching probables: June 23: RHP Luis Castillo vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 24: RHP Homer Bailey vs. RHP Joe Ross, 4:05...

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David Huzzard: Nats should look at other trade possibilities

June 22, 2017, 6:24pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats should look at other trade possibilities

The 2017 Nationals are a confusing team to follow. They are a combination of the best run-producing team in baseball, a huge division lead, a strong top of the rotation and one of the worst bullpens ever constructed. That last one gets most of the attention and it needs to be addressed, but it is not the Nationals' only weakness heading into the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The bullpen is the obvious area of concern and it's where the Nationals focus will be, but it will also be where...

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District 34 podcast: Nats falter in Miami and Gonzalez's All-Star case

June 22, 2017, 12:09pm

Nationals

District 34 podcast: Nats falter in Miami and Gonzalez's All-Star case

After 20 games in 20 straight days, the Nationals are finally enjoying a well-deserved off-day today at home. Before starting a 17-day stretch of games leading up the All-Star break, the Nats are happy to be in the comfort of their own homes in D.C. after going 4-3 on their latest road trip. And what an interesting road trip that was for Byron Kerr and I to discuss on this episode of the District 34 podcast. After taking three of four from the Mets in New York, the Nationals flew down to Miami...

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"Game of Thrones" Night coming to Nats Park

June 21, 2017, 7:33am

Nationals

"Game of Thrones" Night coming to Nats Park

"Winter is Coming" on Friday, June 23, as the Nationals host the Reds at Nationals Park. It is "Game of Thrones" Night in D.C., and the first 20,000 fans who arrive will receive a Nats-themed "Game of Thrones" T-shirt. There will also be an authentic Iron Throne in the park that fans can sit on and act like they rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The Nationals organization has also hidden 10 dragon eggs throughout the D.C. metro area. Inside each egg, there are special instructions on...

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Luke Erickson: Looking at the Hagerstown Suns at the half

June 19, 2017, 5:53pm

Nationals

Luke Erickson: Looking at the Hagerstown Suns at the half

For most baseball fans, the All-Star Game is considered the halfway point of the season. In the minors, that's this week for two of the four full-season affiliates - the Hagerstown Suns (low Single-A) and the Potomac Nationals (high Single-A). This week, we'll take a look at how the Suns have done and who might be moving up, then next week we'll examine the P-Nats. While winning is not the goal of the minors - development is - it's still something to shoot for and root for. For most of the...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins can hit for average, but power not producing enough

June 19, 2017, 4:11am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins can hit for average, but power not producing enough

Manager: Don Mattingly (2nd season) Record: 30-37 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Dee Gordon (.293 with 27 SB), LF Marcell Ozuna (18 HR, 49 RBIs), 1B Justin Bour (17 HR, 44 RBIs), RF Giancarlo Stanton (17 HR, .277/.358/.542), RHP AJ Ramos (4.30 ERA, 9 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 19: RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP Justin Nicolino, 7:10 p.m., MASN2June 20: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Edinson Volquez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2June 21: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Dan Straily,...

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David Huzzard: What will a closer cost the Nationals?

June 15, 2017, 6:14pm

Nationals

Believe it or not, the Nationals don't have the worst bullpen in the majors. That isn't to forgive or forget just how bad the bullpen has been and how many leads they've blown, or that with even a league-average bullpen the Mets' recent hot streak wouldn't matter one bit. It is simply a fact. The Nats don't have the worst bullpen in the majors and it is going to cause them major issues when the trade deadline comes around. By ERA, the Twins have the worst bullpen in the majors at 5.39....

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Opposite dugout: Injuries have hurt Mets in quest to challenge for NL East lead

June 14, 2017, 10:42am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Injuries have hurt Mets in quest to challenge for NL East lead

Manager: Terry Collins (7th season) Record: 30-34 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 3B Wilmer Flores (.313), LF Yoenis CÃ©spedes (.307/.391/.653 with 7 HR, 15 RBIs), CF Michael Conforto (.292/.410/.589 with 14 HR, 36 RBIs), RF Jay Bruce (17 HR, 45 RBIs), RHP Jacob deGrom (5-3, 4.33 ERA), RHP Addison Reed (2.62 ERA, 11 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-4 Pitching probables: June 15: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Robert Gsellman, 7:10 p.m., MASN June 16: RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP Steven Matz,...