nationals buzz

David Huzzard: Winning is nice, but Nats can still improve roster

June 02, 2016, 5:00am

"As long as the Nats are winning," is a phrase we're hearing quite often these days from everyone from fans to announcers. It is the age old sports clichÃ© that winning cures all and that all flaws can be ignored as long as games are being won. It's not good logic and not logic that can be afforded. Think of it in the terms of personal health. You can wait until there's a problem and pay thousands of dollars in medical bills or you can get plenty of rest, exercise, and eat a healthy diet...

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Charlie Fliegel: Nats bullpen has been a strength so far this season

June 01, 2016, 5:17am

Nationals

Charlie Fliegel: Nats bullpen has been a strength so far this season

It looked like one of their biggest weaknesses coming in to the 2016 season, and yet, almost a third of the way through the year, the Nationals bullpen has been a strength. Among National League bullpens, it ranks first in ERA, second in OPS against and first in K/BB ratio. Yet, only Shawn Kelley (eighth), Sammy Solis (15th) and Yusmeiro Petit (37th) rank in the top 40 in ERA among NL relievers. In terms of WPA (Win Probability Added), Felipe Rivero is 14th in the NL, Petit is 26th and the rest...

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Steve Mears: Monday's Nats win paid homage to another skipper's philosophy

May 31, 2016, 5:07am

Nationals

Steve Mears: Monday's Nats win paid homage to another skipper's philosophy

The Nationals got a big look at the in-game management style of Joe Maddon earlier in the month in Chicago where they played a four-game series. Maddon also has many philosophies that he shares as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, and his 'TryNot To Suck' advice might have started as a joke, but it is at the core of one of Maddon's core principles that if you are going to 'suck' at one part of your game you had better find other ways to help your team win. Maddon turned the 'Try Not To...

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Marty Niland: Stephen Strasburg proving he is better

May 29, 2016, 7:58pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: Stephen Strasburg proving he is better

So where are the Stephen Strasburg trolls now? A year ago, they were out in force, but a guy who was once seen by some as a first-round bust seems to have quieted them, maybe for good. Remember last year, when Strasburg was lifted from a game in Cincinnati after just one batter into the second inning with tightness in his upper back? It was the fifth straight game where he lasted five innings or fewer, and the fourth in five when he didn't make it to four. Strasburg was 3-5 with a 6.55 ERA at...

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District 34 podcast: Episode 1

May 29, 2016, 11:41am

Nationals

Don't you hate when you get stuck on the Metro and you're bored out of your mind? Or when you're stuck in rush hour traffic on the Capital Beltway and the radio is playing the same five songs over and over again? Whether you're on the Green Line going to or from a Nationals game at the Navy Yard or anywhere else around our nation's capital, you're stuck with the same old apps on your phone or no new music. Well, we have a solution for you: District 34, a brand -new podcast dedicated to...

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Opposite dugout: Phillies continue to show progress during rebuilding phase

May 28, 2016, 1:46pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies continue to show progress during rebuilding phase

Manager: Pete Mackanin (2nd season) Record: 26-24 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Odubel Herrera (.320/.427/.449 with 5 HR, 17 RBIs), 3B Maikel Franco (8 HR, 28 RBIs), 2B Freddie Galvis (17 RBIs), 1B Ryan Howard (8 HR, 18 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (4-3, 2.86 ERA), RHP Jeanmar Gomez (2.45 ERA, 17 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-2 Pitching probables: May 30: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson, 7:05 p.m., MASN May 31: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Aaron Nola, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June 1: RHP Max...

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MASN booth comes back to Nats Park with giveaways

May 04, 2016, 5:42pm

Nationals

Don't you hate it when you and your friends get to a game at Nats Park and the Nationals haven't even batted through the order yet and your phone starts dying? How are you supposed to stay social with the latest photos, GIFs and Tweets from the game when your battery is below 10 percent? Well, have no fear, the MASN booth is back to help you out! All season long, MASN will be hosting a booth either inside the gates or at the Fairgrounds before Nats games with free giveaways, including a...

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Opposite dugout: Cardinals still trying to figure things out

May 26, 2016, 6:10am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Cardinals still trying to figure things out

Manager: Mike Matheny (5th season) Record: 24-23 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Aledmys Diaz (.331, 24 RBIs), 3B Matt Carpenter (9 HR, 32 RBIs), RF Stephen Piscotty (.328, 5 HR, 26 RBI), RHP Trevor Rosenthal (8 saves, 2.25 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: May 26: RHP Mike Leake vs. RHP Joe Ross, 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 27: LHP Jaime Garcia vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 28: RHP Adam Wainwright vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:15 p.m., FOXMay 28: RHP Michael Wacha...

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David Huzzard: The baseball world dislikes Bryce Harper, and D.C. should love it

May 19, 2016, 5:10am

Nationals

David Huzzard: The baseball world dislikes Bryce Harper, and D.C. should love it

As has happened on several occasions, I was told last night that Bryce Harper is a jerk. It turns out that this guy's nephew once road in an elevator in Crystal City. I've never met a person who I'd judge on their elevator behavior of eyes forward, hands at side, saying as little as possible and trying desperately to hold in the District Taco they just ate. This isn't the first time a stranger or acquaintance has informed me that Harper is a jerk. They see the Nationals hat and it's close...

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David Huzzard: Trea Turner is the first wave of improvement

May 26, 2016, 4:39am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Trea Turner is the first wave of improvement

In late July 2015, the Washington Nationals held a three-game lead over the New York Mets in the National League East. A couple of weeks later, they were eight games back. It was a depressing and shocking turn of events for Nats fans. Injuries played a role in the Nationals' struggles as several stars returned to the lineup and performed worse than those they replaced. But it wasn't just that the Nationals struggled. The Mets took advantage of the Nationals' struggles and it was partly due...

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Charlie Fliegel: It's time for Nats to call Turner to majors

May 24, 2016, 9:25pm

Nationals

Charlie Fliegel: It's time for Nats to call Turner to majors

The Nationals' offense has made some strides in the last few weeks now that Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Ben Revere have started hitting. Unfortunately, Danny Espinosa has yet to get on track, and it's time to consider making a move there. Espinosa's hit a paltry .203/.305/.287 this season, and it's bad even if you dismiss his early performance as a slow start. Going back to April 29, he has hit .224/.302/.353, which is the best sample you can get leading up to today. This may be...

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Steve Mears: Opportunity in offing as Zimmerman awaits blessed event

May 24, 2016, 2:24pm

Nationals

Steve Mears: Opportunity in offing as Zimmerman awaits blessed event

Have you looked lately to see what the one-two punch for the Syracuse Chiefs have been doing? Trea Turner and Brian Goodwin are just tearing up Triple-A while wreaking havoc on the base paths. They are usually running the bases two times a game if they get up five times since both are hovering around a .380 on-base percentage and have found other ways to get on base. Both are almost certain locks to be called up in September or sooner, and the Nationals might have a need real soon as it turns...

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Opposite dugout: Mets riding momentum following recent sweep

May 22, 2016, 2:23pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets riding momentum following recent sweep

Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 25-18 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.298, 14 HR, 35 RBIs), LF Michael Conforto (.284, 8 HR, 12 2B), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.278, 44 hits), RHP Noah Syndergaard (5-2, 1.94 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (15 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: May 23: RHP Bartolo Colon vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 24: RHP Matt Harvey vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 25: RHP Steven Matz vs. RHP Tanner...

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Opposite dugout: Mattingly has Marlins hanging tough in competitive NL East

May 19, 2016, 1:04pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mattingly has Marlins hanging tough in competitive NL East

Manager: Don Mattingly (1st season) Record: 21-19 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Martin Prado (.371), LF Christian Yelich (.322/.424/.531 with 5 HR, 20 RBIs), CF Marcell Ozuna (.302 with 21 RBIs), RF Giancarlo Stanton (11 HR, 25 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (5-2, 3.21 ERA), LHP Adam Conley (3-2, 3.40 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (1.59 ERA, 12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-5 Pitching probables: May 20: RHP Tanner Roark vs. LHP Justin Nicolino, 7:10 p.m., MASN May 21: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Jose...

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Nationals ace Max Scherzer plays catch with young Mets fan in stands

May 19, 2016, 12:41pm

Nationals

We found Max Scherzer's newest fan! Before the Nationals game against the Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday, a young Mets fan was watching batting practice in the outfield seats when he saw Scherzer in the outfield. Little did he know that the Nats ace was up for a game of catch! Watch the awesome video below. No word on whether the Mets jersey has been traded out for a Scherzer shirsey. Be sure to like MASN Nationals on Facebook for more videos, giveaways, news and more!

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Charlie Fliegel: He's not the good, old Gio Gonzalez, but he is good

May 18, 2016, 5:22am

Nationals

Charlie Fliegel: He's not the good, old Gio Gonzalez, but he is good

With an ERA that ranks in the top 10 in the National League and an FIP that is top 20, Gio Gonzalez has looked really good this season. But he's not the good, old Gonzalez of 2013, who placed third in Cy Young voting and led the league in strikeouts/nine innings. He is pitching to contact more this season, striking out and walking fewer batters. He's on pace for a K/9 rate of 7.5 and walks/nine innings rate of 2.6, both career lows, well below career rates of 8.8 and 2.6, respectively. His...

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Steve Mears: Jayson Werth's transition to left field and his family's baseball history

May 17, 2016, 3:08pm

Nationals

Steve Mears: Jayson Werth's transition to left field and his family's baseball history

There is this player in Nationals Park who has a cheering section out there in the unheralded part that is tucked in between the foul pole and the visitors bullpen in Section 105. That's right, it's left field where the man they call "The Beard," "The Werewolf" or some just refer to as "J-Dub" - as Bryce Harper likes to call him - plays his position. Jayson Werth started his career as a catcher, tried some first base and then got moved into the outfield. When the Nationals signed Werth...

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Watch Bryce Harper visit "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"

May 17, 2016, 5:26am

Nationals

Watch Bryce Harper visit "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"

The Make Baseball Fun Again campaign made its way to New York City as Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper stopped by "The Tonight Show"! Along with host Fallon, Harper faced the duo of model Gigi Hadid and actor/comedian Andy Samberg in Catchphrase. Naturally, hilarity ... and maybe a little cheating ... ensued. Check out all the smack-talk and laughs and see if Harper and Fallon came out on top!

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Opposite dugout: Mets aiming for back-to-back division titles

May 16, 2016, 9:36am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Mets aiming for back-to-back division titles

Manager: Terry Collins (6th season) Record: 21-16 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.287, 12 HR, 32 RBIs), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.281, 38 hits), 2B Neil Walker (10 HR, 20 RBIs), RHP Noah Syndergaard (3-2, 2.53 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (2.60 ERA, 12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (11-8 in 2015) Pitching probables: May 17: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard, 7:10 p.m., MASNMay 18: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Bartolo Colon, 7:10 p.m., MASNMay 19: RHP...

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Marty Niland: Remembering Tom Cheney, who deserved better

May 16, 2016, 6:18am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Remembering Tom Cheney, who deserved better

Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout performance against the Tigers was certainly one for the ages, the highlight of one of the most remarkable weeks in the history of the Nationals. But Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, whose contract extension was a key part of that week, owe a debt of gratitude to a man who might have given an even more impressive performance more than 53 years earlier. As Scherzer piled up the strikeouts, matching the most ever in a nine-inning game, Nats fans posting in the...