nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: Lots of offense, terrible pitching await in Coors Field

August 15, 2015, 1:17pm

Manager: Walt Weiss (3rd season) Record: 48-68 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B DJ LeMehieu (.319 with 18 SB), C Nick Hundley (.303 with 9 HR, 40 RBIs), 38 Nolan Arenado (.278 with 29 HR, 86 RBIs), RF Carlos Gonzalez (27 HR, 67 RBIs), LHP Jorge De La Rosa (7-5, 4.75 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 18: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP David Hale, 8:40 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 19: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. LHP Jorge De La Rosa, 8:40 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 20: RHP Max Scherzer vs....

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Marty Niland: Just like 2013, Nats falling short, but they're not out of it

August 17, 2015, 5:05am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Just like 2013, Nats falling short, but they're not out of it

Nationals fans across the internet seem to be in full panic mode after a four-game sweep at the hands of the San Francisco Giants. The team fell below .500 for the first time since May, and failed to gain ground on the National League East-leading New York Mets, who were swept at home by Pittsburgh. Among fans who are already calling for manager Matt Williams to be fired, there's a heated Twitter conversation about which ex-National, if any, should be named to replace him. A Facebook...

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Opposite dugout: Giants find themselves in a familiar situation in the hunt for October

August 12, 2015, 6:52pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Giants find themselves in a familiar situation in the hunt for October

Manager: Bruce Bochy (9th season) Record: 60-53 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: C Buster Posey (.331/.391/.501 with 16 HR, 75 RBIs), SS Brandon Crawford (.267/.326/.495 with 19 HR, 71 RBIs), 3B Matt Duffy (.304/.340/.458 with 51 RBIs), LHP Madison Bumgarner (13-6, 3.15 ERA), RHP Santiago Casilla (27 saves, 3.89 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: Aug. 13: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Ryan Vogelsong, 10:15 p.m., MASN Aug. 14: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Matt Cain, 10:15...

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David Huzzard: A closer look at the Nats skipper Matt Williams

August 13, 2015, 5:43am

Nationals

David Huzzard: A closer look at the Nats skipper Matt Williams

Since the trade deadline, the Washington Nationals are 4-11 and sinking fast in their National League East race against the Mets. An August/September division race is something new for the Washington Nationals. In 2012 and 2014, they were in the lead for most of the season and began to pull away at this time of year, and in 2013 the Nationals were so far out of it, a late surge made no difference. Now the Washington Nationals find themselves in a fight and they are currently behind on the...

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Opposite dugout: Dodgers continue to ride outstanding pitching by shutting out opponents

August 10, 2015, 5:51am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Dodgers continue to ride outstanding pitching by shutting out opponents

Manager: Don Mattingly (5th season) Record: 62-49 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.298/.373/.529 with 22 HR, 68 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.289/.391/.498 with 15 HR, 44 RBIs), CF Joc Pederson (.222 with 21 HR, 43 RBIs), 2B Howie Kendrick (.296 with 49 RBIs), RHP Zack Greinke (11-2, 71 ERA, 0.85 WHIP), LHP Clayton Kershaw (9-6 with 197 strikeouts, 2.51 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 10: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. LHP Brett Anderson, 10:10 p.m., MASN...

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Rachel Levitin: Rough run puts Nationals 2 1/2 games back in division

August 12, 2015, 6:47am

Nationals

It's been a rough run for the Washington Nationals as of late. They dropped last night's contest in a 5-0 shutout versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, and are trying to scrape their way back to the top of the National League East as baseball's regular season days die down. The Nats currently sit 2 1/2 games back in their division. Now - with the wild card - sitting a couple games back in the standings isn't necessarily the end all to a season with playoff hopes. However, the issue now lies in...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: A closer look at Anthony Rendon's collision at home plate

August 11, 2015, 5:59am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: A closer look at Anthony Rendon's collision at home plate

During Sunday's Rockies-Nationals game, a lot of people questioned the ruling on the field in the 7th inning when the umpires called Anthony Rendon out at home plate. With Rendon on second and the score tied at 4-4, Ryan Zimmerman hit a single to right field. Rendon tried to score, testing the arm of Carlos Gonzalez. CarGo nailed a perfect throw to catcher Michael McKenry, who applied the tag to Rendon. Home plate umpire Alan Porter called Rendon out. Almost immediately, Nationals manager Matt...

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Marty Niland: Ryan Zimmerman's big weekend and memories of Frank Howard

August 10, 2015, 9:13am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Ryan Zimmerman's big weekend and memories of Frank Howard

If there was a silver lining in last weekend's series loss to the Colorado Rockies, it's that Ryan Zimmerman appears to have fully recovered from the plantar fasciitis that has sidelined him for much of this season. The Nationals first baseman has hit safely in four straight games and seven of his last nine, and driven in runs in seven consecutive games. But in the past week, he's shown that his power is back, crushing three homers, including blasts to center field in back-to-back innings on...

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MASN's Dan Kolko runs as Tom in Presidents Race at Nationals Park

August 08, 2015, 6:20am

Nationals

The GEICO Presidents Race at Nationals Park has been a fourth-inning staple at Nationals games since the team returned to D.C. in 2005. One of the best aspects of the race is you never quite know what, or who, you're going to get. There have been many memorable moments in the race over the years: Teddy's first victory, the Easter Bunny's unexpected entrance and the Pirates Pierogies getting a beat down from the Presidents. And last night's race marked the introduction of a new...

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Opposite dugout: Contrast between pitching and offense has Rockies looking to the future

August 06, 2015, 11:00am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Contrast between pitching and offense has Rockies looking to the future

Manager: Walt Weiss (3rd season) Record: 45-61 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 3B Nolan Arenado (.273/.314/.553 with 26 HR, 80 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.322/.383/.413 with 42 RBIs), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.279/.338/.525 with 22 HR, 56 RBIs), CF Charlie Blackmon (.293/.360/.469 with 13 HR, 46 RBIs), LHP Jorge De La Rosa (7-4, 4.87 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (1-5 in 2014) Pitching probables: Aug. 7: LHP Jorge De La Rosa vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 8: LHP Yohan...

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David Huzzard: Explaining the Nats' struggles

August 06, 2015, 6:46am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Explaining the Nats' struggles

It is no secret that the Washington Nationals aren't playing well right now. They are 7-12 since the All-Star break, having allowed an average of 4.2 runs a game and scoring 3.4 runs a game. Both these numbers are well bellow league average and even further bellow what the Nationals are capable of. The Nationals have come out of the break pretty much the same way as they started the season. They were able to rally from that first sluggish start and will have to do so again if they wish to...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Looking at Michael A. Taylor's contributions to the Nats

August 04, 2015, 5:30am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: Looking at Michael A. Taylor's contributions to the Nats

The Washington Nationals are in a tough position right now, having just been swept by the New York Mets to give up sole possession of first place in the National League East and they got blasted to smithereens by the Diamondbacks. The Mets blasted the Marlins too, and now the Mets are up one game. Aside from making the next two months of baseball really competitive and fun to watch, there is some good news for Nats fans. The injuries that haunted the team have mostly healed, and now the Nats...

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Opposite dugout: Lack of ace has kept D-backs mediocre and out of playoff hunt

August 02, 2015, 6:52pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Lack of ace has kept D-backs mediocre and out of playoff hunt

Manager: Chip Hale (1st season) Record: 50-53 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.342/.458/.592 with 22 HR, 77 RBIs), CF A.J. Pollock (.305/.361/.465 with 11 HR, 45 RBIs), LF David Peralta (.281/.351/.493 with 9 HR, 48 RBIs), RHP Rubby De La Rosa (8-5, 4.59 ERA), RHP Brad Ziegler (18 saves, 1.18 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 3: RHP Zack Godley vs. RHP Doug Fister, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 4: LHP Patrick Corbin vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN...

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Marty Niland: Crazy deadline day for ex-Nat Michael Morse

August 02, 2015, 5:52pm

Nationals

Marty Niland: Crazy deadline day for ex-Nat Michael Morse

Baseball fans love the thrill of the trade deadline as players move from one team to another, sometimes in head-spinning fashion. One guy whose head may still be spinning from the flurry of deadline deals is former National Michael Morse, who was a member of three different teams, and went from East Coast to West Coast and then back east again, in a span of 48 hours. Here's how it all went down: Morse, who played for the Nationals from 2009-2012, started this season with the Miami Marlins....

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Opposite dugout: After latest distractions, Mets need to focus on catching rival Nationals

July 30, 2015, 2:41pm

Nationals

Manager: Terry Collins (5th season) Record: 52-50 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Daniel Murphy (.271/.324/.393 with 36 RBIs), RF Curtis Granderson (.255/.350/.440 with 16 HR, 36 RBIs), SS Wilmer Flores (.249 with 10 HR, 40 RBIs), 1B Lucas Duda (18 HR, 45 RBIs), RHP Jacob deGrom (10-6, 2.05 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (27 saves, 2.22 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-6 Pitching probables: July 31: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Matt Harvey, 7:10 p.m., MASN Aug. 1: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Jacob...

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David Huzzard: Examining the final two months

July 30, 2015, 6:40am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Examining the final two months

Now that the Washington Nationals are almost fully healthy and have added Jonathan Paplebon, it is as good a time as any to discuss what to expect for the last couple of months of the season. The Nats may not be done adding players before the non-waiver trade deadline tomorrow or via the waiver trade market in August, but those moves are expected to be much smaller and no trade will make the Nats better than having Anthony Rendon back in the lineup. Whether it was from magic, voodoo or a...

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Rachel Levitin: How will Jonathan Papelbon mix in with Nationals bullpen?

July 29, 2015, 5:56am

Nationals

It looks like there's a new closing pitcher on Washington's roster. All-Star pitcher Jonathan Papelbon was traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday in exchange for minor league pitcher Nick Pivetta, and now it'll be interesting to see how the team's newest player integrates into the clubhouse. Outside of the business of baseball, many fans have expressed displeasure with the selection. That aside, I think the effect Papelbon has on the clubhouse and on...

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Opposite dugout: Marlins haven't improved much since managerial change

July 25, 2015, 1:06pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Marlins haven't improved much since managerial change

Manager: Dan Jennings (1st year) Record: 41-58 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.276, 37 RBIs), LF Christian Yelich (.265, 5 HR, 22 RBIs), 1B Justin Boar (.263 with 10 HR, 30 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (3-0, 2.77 ERA), RHP Tom Koehler (8-6, 3.16 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos Season series vs. Nationals: 4-2 Pitching probables: July 28: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Jose Fernandez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 29: RHP Doug Fister vs. RHP Tom Koehler, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 July 30: RHP Max...

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Rachel Levitin: Reconsidering the roles of Nats relievers

July 22, 2015, 6:23am

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Reconsidering the roles of Nats relievers

Here's the thing about Tuesday night's game at Nationals Park between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets - Washington starter Joe Ross threw a good game. He was able to keep up with 2015 All-Star pitcher Jacob deGrom in a head-to-had match-up, which should be viewed as an accomplishment for the young rookie pitcher. The unfortunate part is that the accomplishment dissolved amid a quiet offense and struggling relief pitchers. The onus isn't completely on the quiet offense. deGrom is a...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Nationals in good place after All-Star break

July 21, 2015, 5:48am

Nationals

The All-Star break has passed and the second half of the 2015 MLB season has officially begun. After the series with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, the Nationals face the Mets to kick off the second half. This is the first time the Nats are facing their second-place rival since the first week of May, if you can believe it. Even with all the injuries and the poor performance in May, it was a very good first half for the Nats. They ended the first half with sole possession of first...