nationals buzz

Opposite dugout: Changes are in the wind for last-place Phillies

June 25, 2015, 10:13am

Manager: Ryne Sandberg (3rd season) Record: 26-48 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (.311/.358/558 with 10 HR, 29 RBIs), LF Ben Revere (.292, 18 SB), 1B Ryan Howard (13 HR, 36 RBIs), RHP Aaron Harang (4-9, 3.41 ERA), RHP Jonathan Papelbon (13 saves, 1.88 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-4 Pitching probables: June 26: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Aaron Harang, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 27: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. LHP Adam Morgan, 3:05 p.m., MASN June 28: RHP Stephen Strasburg...

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David Huzzard: Another possible reunion to consider

June 24, 2015, 5:21pm

Nationals

David Huzzard: Another possible reunion to consider

With the addition of David Carpenter, the return of Casey Janssen from the disabled list and Tanner Roark transferring out of the rotation, the Nationals bullpen might have found some stability. An upgrade would still be a good idea, but it isn't of the urgency that it seemed just a couple weeks ago. On the other hand, the Nationals bench is still depleted due to injuries to starting position players. Danny Espinosa, Clint Robinson, Michael Taylor, and Tyler Moore are now needed for...

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Opposite dugout: Braves within reach, but not at same level of Nats

June 22, 2015, 2:52pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Braves within reach, but not at same level of Nats

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (5th season) Record: 35-35 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Freddie Freeman (.299/.367/.520 with 12 HR, 41 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.293/.386/.324 with 21 RBIs), CF Cameron Maybin (.288 with 5 HR, 35 RBIs), RHP Shelby Miller (5-3, 1.99 ERA), RHP Jason Grilli (20 saves, 2.73 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-5 Pitching probables: June 23: LHP Alex Wood vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June 24: RHP Shelby Miller vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Could Ross be real steal from offseason deal?

June 23, 2015, 6:06am

Nationals

Matt of Matt's Bats: Could Ross be real steal from offseason deal?

Last offseason, Nationals fans were expecting the team to make a big move for a second baseman, after Asdrubal Cabrera left in free agency and people thought Danny Espinosa's hitting troubles would continue. Instead, the Nats were part of a blockbuster three-team deal that landed them a shortstop prospect and a pitching prospect. On Dec. 17, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Rene Rivera, Burch Smith, Jake Bauers, Steven Souza Jr. and Travis Ott. The San Diego Padres got Gerardo Reyes, Jose Castillo,...

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Relive Max Scherzer's no-hitter through GIFs and videos

June 20, 2015, 5:01pm

Nationals

Relive Max Scherzer's no-hitter through GIFs and videos

After watching Max Scherzer pitch the first few innings against the Pirates at Nationals Park on Saturday, you knew he was going to be dominant. The Nationals ace was locked in and perfect through 8 2/3 innings. After his two-out, two-strike pitch in the ninth just got a piece of Jose Tabata, the Pirates had their first baserunner, but the dominance continued. Scherzer got the next batter, Josh Harrison, to fly out to left field, locking up the Nationals' second no-hitter, the first of his...

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#AskMatt: What are a few of your favorite things?!

June 19, 2015, 12:34pm

Nationals

#AskMatt: What are a few of your favorite things?!

Today, we had our second #AskMatt session of the season at Nationals Park. This time around, we got a little "off-beat," as MASN's Chris Johnson put it, and asked Matt about some of his favorite things. Fans were again able to follow along live through the Periscope app and by following @masnNationals on Snapchat. We know it was a Friday afternoon, so if you were stuck at work and couldn't follow us live, check out the whole interview below! Matt, the everyday outdoorsman (more on that...

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Opposite dugout: Surging Pirates getting strong offense, stronger pitching

June 17, 2015, 1:50pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Surging Pirates getting strong offense, stronger pitching

Manager: Clint Hurdle (5th season) Record: 39-27 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (.294/.375/.479 with 8 HR, 42 RBIs), C Francisco Cervelli (.316 with 19 RBIs), LF Starling Marte (.285 with 12 HR, 45 RBIs. 13 SB), 3B Josh Harrison (.284 with 22 RBIs), RHP Charlie Morton (5-0, 1.62 ERA), RHP A.J. Burnett (6-2, 1.89 ERA), RHP Mark Melancon (1.87 ERA, 23 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 19: RHP A.J. Burnett vs. RHP Joe...

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David Huzzard: Examining the Nationals offense

June 18, 2015, 5:34am

Nationals

Coming into Wednesday night's game, the Nationals sat second in the National League in runs scored per game and eighth in runs allowed. Ask most people before the season started and they'd likely have told you that those rankings would be reversed. Turn on the radio or browse social media today after the Nationals got shut out and all the talk will be about how putrid their offense is. In past seasons, when I'd inform people the Nationals offense was better than they think, it was right...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Trying to fix the Nationals bullpen

June 16, 2015, 5:40am

Nationals

The Nationals bullpen has been struggling. The most recent example of how the bullpen has cost the Nats a win was the Thursday game in Milwaukee, where the bullpen gave up too many hits to ruin a 5-1 lead. Last year, the Nationals bullpen was very good, but they had Craig Stammen (out for the rest of this year with an injury), and Tyler Clippard and Jerry Blevins (both traded in the offseason). Now the Nats bullpen sports a collective 3.61 ERA, which ranks 10th in the National League and 20th...

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Ryan Zimmerman hosting sixth annual A Night at the Park to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis

June 15, 2015, 9:53am

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman hosting sixth annual A Night at the Park to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis

The face of the Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman serves as a veteran presence in the clubhouse, a potent bat in the middle of the order and an anchor at first base. However, he also brings so much more to the club and Washington D.C., area beyond the basepaths. Zimmerman's biggest impact can be seen through his work to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis through his foundation, the ziMS Foundation. Since its inception in 2006, the ziMS Foundation has made a strong impact on those diagnosed with...

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Opposite dugout: In red-hot AL East, surprising Rays are right at top of the group

June 14, 2015, 8:43pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: In red-hot AL East, surprising Rays are right at top of the group

Manager: Kevin Cash (first season) Record: 35-29 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 3B Evan Longoria (.266/.344/.408 with 6 HR, 28 RBIs), 2B Logan Forsythe (.264/.346/.431 with 7 HR, 28 RBIs), RF Steven Souza Jr. (12 HR, 29 RBIs), RHP Chris Archer (7-4, 2.00 ERA), RHP Brad Boxberger (17 saves, 3.04 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (1-2 in 2012) Pitching probables: June 15: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Erasmo Ramirez, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 June16: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Alex Colome, 7:10...

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Marty Niland: Dealing Desmond, prospects might put Nats over the top

June 15, 2015, 5:10am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Dealing Desmond, prospects might put Nats over the top

A banged-up, scuffling Nationals team has gotten up off the mat to win back-to-back games for the first time in almost three weeks and stay within spitting distance of the equally banged-up and scuffling New York Mets in the National League East. Now it's time for general manager Mike Rizzo to show us what he has and give his team the tools to put the division away. It's fair to say that the Nats have medium to long-term needs that can only be filled through a trade, as do their main division...

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Opposite dugout: Little has gone right for floundering Brewers this season

June 09, 2015, 2:00pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Little has gone right for floundering Brewers this season

Manager: Craig Counsell (1st season) Record: 22-37 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Adam Lind (.279 with 9 HR, 31 RBIs), RF Ryan Braun (13 HR, 40 RBIs), SS Jean Segura (.281, 16 RBIs, 6 SB), CF Carlos Gomez (.276 with 5 HR, 24 RBIs), RHP Francisco Rodriguez (1.23 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 11: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Matt Garza, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 June 12: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Mike Fiers, 8:10 p.m., MASN2 June...

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David Huzzard: Pondering Bryce Harper's future

June 11, 2015, 5:16am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Pondering Bryce Harper's future

With the Nationals playing the New York Yankees, one of the big storylines was Bryce Harper playing his first games in new Yankees Stadium. This is a story because Harper grew up a Yankees fan, his favorite player is Mickey Mantle and he even wears No. 34 because three plus four equals seven, Mickey Mantle's number. These facts lead to an assumption that when Harper becomes a free agent after the 2018 season that he is destined to become a Yankee. This assumption ignores many factors that are...

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Take on the skipper with the 2015 CareFirst Fan Challenge

June 05, 2015, 8:19am

Nationals

Take on the skipper with the 2015 CareFirst Fan Challenge

Take a glance at Matt Williams' resume, and you can't help but be impressed: a rookie manager who led the Nationals to the NLDS, the National League Manager of the Year in 2014, a four-time Gold Glove winner, a four-time Silver Slugger and a five-time All-Star. On the field and in the dugout, Williams has a baseball career few can rival. Sure, you probably can't measure up on the diamond, but that doesn't mean you can't take on the skipper at your own game! You guessed it: The CareFirst...

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Rachel Levitin: Pinpointing the Nationals' problem

June 10, 2015, 5:39am

Nationals

The Nationals are 58 games into this season, and it's not the Marlins, Mets, Cubs or even the Yankees who remain their toughest foe. As it turns out, they may be their own worst enemy. Though the Nationals have managed to find a groove and settle into first place in the National League East so far this season, they've dropped a game behind the Mets to second place in the division with their 6-1 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday night. It's June 10 and the All-Star break is nearly a month away....

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Opposite dugout: Yankees still atop AL East behind high-powered offense and good enough pitching

June 08, 2015, 6:14pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Yankees still atop AL East behind high-powered offense and good enough pitching

Manager: Joe Girardi (8th season) Record: 32-25 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: DH Alex Rodriguez (.280/.386/.522 with 11 HR, 28 RBIs), LF Brett Gardner (.278/.355/.438 with 26 RBIs), C Brian McCann (.255 with 9 HR, 35 RBIs), 1B Mark Teixeira (17 HR and 45 RBIs), RHP Masahiro Tanaka (3-1, 2.76 ERA), LHP Andrew Miller (17 saves, 1.04 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-2 Pitching probables: June 9: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Masahiro Tanaka, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 10: TBA vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi,...

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Matt of Matt's Bats: Handicapping the Nationals' Triple Crown contestants

June 09, 2015, 5:30am

Nationals

If you're like me, you were glued to the TV on Saturday evening, watching the Belmont Stakes to see American Pharoah win the Triple Crown. In horse racing, the Triple Crown means that a horse wins the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes in the same year. American Pharoah was the first Triple Crown winner since a horse named Affirmed did it in 1978. American Pharoah's win on Saturday ended a 37-year drought for thoroughbred racing's biggest prize. (It was also more fun to...

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Marty Niland: Injuries continue to take toll on Nationals

June 08, 2015, 5:20am

Nationals

A day off on Monday has to be a welcome relief for a Nationals team that has dropped three straight series and eight of its last 10 games. After a torrid 18-9 May, the Nats could not help but come back down to Earth. In the major leagues, .667 baseball just isn't sustainable. The Nationals are also succumbing to another inevitability of the big league season: injuries. The eight position players who were projected as starters at the beginning of spring training have yet to play in the same...

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Opposite dugout: Bryant getting all the publicity, but hardly Cubs' only weapon

June 02, 2015, 3:33pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Bryant getting all the publicity, but hardly Cubs' only weapon

Manager: Joe Maddon (1st season) Record: 27-24 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Anthony Rizzo (.317/.443/.574 with 9 HR, 31 RBIs), 3B Kris Bryant (.270/.382/.459 with 7 HR. 33 RBIs), SS Starlin Castro (.267 with 23 RBIs), RHP Jason Hammel (4-2, 2.82 ERA, 0.90 WHIP), RHP Jake Arrieta (4-4, 3.18 ERA), RHP Hector Rondon (3.22 ERA, 9 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 4: RHP Jake Arrieta vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m. MASN June 5: LHP Tsuyoshi Wada vs. RHP Tanner...