nationals buzz

Continue to #VoteNats as Harper slips to third, Turner stays in fifth

June 25, 2018, 10:56am

The penultimate National League All-Star balloting update has been released and the Nationals now just have two players ranked in their respective positions: Bryce Harper and Trea Turner. Harper has been going through a highly documented and publicized slump over the last month-plus, but he's made some positive strides over the last week, slashing .300/.423/.600 with six hits (all doubles), three RBIs and five walks over his last six games. He also made headlines over the last few days when he...

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Opposite dugout: Rays throwing starters, not "openers," at Nationals

June 24, 2018, 1:37pm

Nationals

Manager: Kevin Cash (4th season) Record: 37-40 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Matt Duffy (.318 with 23 RBIs), C Wilson Ramos (.289 with 9 HR, 36 RBIs), 2B Joey Wendel (.262), 1B C.J. Cron (16 HR, 38 RBIs), LHP Blake Snell (9-4, 2.48 ERA), Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-1 in 2015) Pitching probables: June 25: LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-4) vs. LHP Blake Snell (9-4), 7:10 p.m., MASN2 June 26 RHP Max Scherzer (10-3) vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-3), 12:10 p.m., MASN Inside the Rays: The...

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Marty Niland: Ex-Senators catcher Moe Berg's story comes to life on screen

June 25, 2018, 5:59am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Ex-Senators catcher Moe Berg's story comes to life on screen

Moe Berg is known as a man who possibly changed history, although the former Washington Senators catcher is best remembered for decidedly non-baseball skills. Anyone who has visited the International Spy Museum has likely seen Berg's photo and read his story, and some who have been inside CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., may have seen his baseball cards on display. Now his exploits as a secret agent who helped the Allies win World War II have been brought to life in a film that's in limited...

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Opposite Dugout: Phillies ready to see a whole lot of Nationals

June 21, 2018, 8:36pm

Nationals

Manager: Gabe Kapler (1st season) Record: 39-33 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: CF OdÃºbel Herrera (.299, 12 HR, 41 RBIs), LF Rhys Hoskins (41 RBIs), 1B Carlos Santana (41 RBIs), 2B CÃ©sar HernÃ¡ndez (.262, 10 SB), 3B Maikel Franco (36 RBIs), RHP Zach Eflin (4-2, 3.43 ERA), RHP Aaron Nola (8-2, 2.55 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 22: RHP Tanner Roark (3-7) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (4-2), 7:05 p.m., MASNJune 23: RHP Erick Fedde (0-2) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (8-2),...

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Ryan Sullivan: Carter Kieboom's breakout season is being noticed

June 22, 2018, 6:18am

Nationals

Ryan Sullivan: Carter Kieboom's breakout season is being noticed

We are witnessing an outstanding season from a Nationals prospect unable to legally buy beer. If you immediately think this is yet another article about Juan Soto, I promise you it is not. Although he might deserve it, the 19-year-old Soto started the year at Single-A Hagerstown and is now batting cleanup in the major league. Yet somehow overlooked in the Soto tsunami, the Nationals have another prospect breaking out in their system in Carter Kieboom. Washington's first-round pick in 2016 out...

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Liz Barr: Taylor has earned his way back into Nats lineup

June 19, 2018, 3:59pm

Nationals

Liz Barr: Taylor has earned his way back into Nats lineup

Michael A. Taylor has been absolutely on fire of late. The man who was once under the Mendoza line has raised his batting average almost forty points in just over two weeks. It's phenomenal what Taylor has been able to do this month. At the beginning of June, Taylor was hitting just .204 and struggling mightily in just about every aspect offensively. But since the calendar turned, Taylor has become a new hitter. This month, in 14 games (nine starts), Taylor has hit a sizzling .429, scored...

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Opposite dugout: Struggling Orioles are looking for answers

June 12, 2018, 7:50pm

Nationals Orioles

Opposite dugout: Struggling Orioles are looking for answers

Manager: Buck Showalter (9th year) Record: 20-50 Last 10 games: 1-9 Who to watch: SS Manny Machado (.310/.377/.567 with 18 HR, 53 RBIs ), 3B Danny Valencia (.283/.350/.462), CF Adam Jones (16 doubles, 10 HR, .293/.313/.457), RF Mark Trumbo (.261/.320/.420), RHP David Hess (4.13 ERA), RHP Brad Brach (10 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: June 19: RHP David Hess (2-3) vs. RHP Jefry Rodriguez, 7:05 p.m., MASNJune 20: RHP Andrew Cashner (2-8) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05...

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#VoteNats to send your favorite Nationals to All-Star Game in D.C.

June 18, 2018, 12:27pm

Nationals

We're a month away from the All-Star Game coming to D.C., which means we're getting closer to the announcements of the National League and American League rosters. And the Nationals need your help to ensure the host city is well-represented in the All-Star Game! After leading all NL outfielders in voting last week, Bryce Harper has slipped to second with 1,002,696 votes behind Braves outfielder Nick Markakis' 1,173,653. Harper, a five-time All-Star, currently leads the league with 19 home...

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Opposite dugout: Suspended game, makeup bring Yankees back to D.C.

June 16, 2018, 1:52pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Suspended game, makeup bring Yankees back to D.C.

Manager: Aaron Boone (1st year) Record: 46-21 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 3B Miguel AndÃºjar (.293/.321/.515 with 28 RBIs), 2B Gleyber Torres (.283 with 13 HR, 34 RBIs), RF Aaron Judge (18HR, 46 RBIs), LF Giancarlo Stanton (16 HR, 37 RBIs), C Gary SÃ¡nchez (13 HR, 39 RBIs), RHP Sonny Gray (4-4, 4.98 ERA), LHP Aroldis Chapman (1.17 ERA, 20 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-1 Pitching probables: June 18: Suspended game resumes at 5:05 p.m. on MASN June 18: RHP Sonny Gray (4-4) vs....

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Former National, fan favorite Michael Morse to take on MASN broadcast booth in Toronto

June 15, 2018, 6:33am

Nationals

Former National, fan favorite Michael Morse to take on MASN broadcast booth in Toronto

The MASN broadcast booth will have a familiar face in an unfamiliar role this weekend as the team heads north of the border. Instead of the usual duo of Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo calling the Nationals' three games against the Blue Jays, former Nats player and local fan favorite Michael Morse will take on the role of color analyst alongside play-by-play man Carpenter. Santangelo will be in California for his son's college graduation. Morse, 36, has begun transitioning his career from...

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Ryan Sullivan: Nationals need a boost behind the plate

June 15, 2018, 6:20am

Nationals

The Nationals have been scuffling thus far in June with a 5-5 record. In particular, the offense has been struggling, scoring only 39 runs in those 10 games. And if you eliminate their 11-run explosion last week against the Rays, the Nationals are averaging only 3.11 runs per game in June. While it takes many hitters collectively struggling at the same time to produce these results, the Nationals catchers have been particularly dreadful recently. Starting catcher Matt Wieters was having a solid...

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Liz Barr: Pitching staff taking the fall for Nats' stagnant offense

June 13, 2018, 5:13am

Nationals

Liz Barr: Pitching staff taking the fall for Nats' stagnant offense

Your pitchers can't get you a win if you don't score any runs. By all means, a starting pitcher that goes at least six innings and only gives up two or three runs should not be an automatic loss. It's not the greatest start of their life, but they're keeping the other team in arm's reach. That's not a lot of runs for a starter to give up, especially if they're going long, and in theory the offense should be able to produce enough runs to at least make it a net zero. But that hasn't been...

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Opposite dugout: Young Yankees powering way toward AL East crown

June 09, 2018, 6:11am

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Young Yankees powering way toward AL East crown

Manager: Aaron Boone (1st year) Record: 42-19 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: 2B Gleyber Torres (.297/.356/.559), SS Didi Gregorius (36 RBIs, 8 SB), 3B Miguel AndÃºjar (.310/.340/.552), RF Aaron Judge (18 HR, 45 RBIs), DH Giancarlo Stanton (15 HR, 34 RBIs), LHP CC Sabathia (3.59 ERA), LHP Aroldis Chapman (17 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (May 15 suspended game to be completed June 18) Pitching probables: June 12: RHP Tanner Roark (3-6) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (3-1), 7:05...

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Marty Niland: Paul Casanova displayed tenacity in historic contest

June 11, 2018, 5:25am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Paul Casanova displayed tenacity in historic contest

Endurance is the most remarkable trait of professional athletes. Whether it's Alex Ovechkin grinding through 13 National Hockey League seasons before winning the Stanley Cup or Nationals ace Max Scherzer powering through eight innings to strike out 13 batters, remarkable displays of strength and stamina make for compelling competition. On June 12, 1967, 41 years ago Tuesday, Senators catcher Paul Casanova showed such tenacity, working 22 innings behind the plate and driving in the winning run...

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Opposite dugout: Injury-plagued Giants still in NL West hunt

June 05, 2018, 12:18pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Injury-plagued Giants still in NL West hunt

Manager: Bruce Bochy (12th season) Record: 31-31 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: C Buster Posey (.303/.370/.443),1B Pablo Sandoval (.282/.330/.447), SS Brandon Crawford (.324, 27 RBIs), 3B Evan Longoria (31 RBIs), RF Andrew McCutchen (18 doubles, 27 RBIs), RHP Hunter Strickland (12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: June 8: LHP Andrew SuÃ¡rez (2-4) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (6-5), 7:05 p.m., MASNJune 9: RHP Dereck RodrÃguez (1-0) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-2), 12:05...

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Ryan Sullivan: Breaking down the Nationals' draft

June 07, 2018, 5:11pm

Nationals

This week, Major League Baseball held its annual First-Year Player Draft, with more than 1,200 players selected over three days. Much like new television shows, most of these players will not be hits and being chosen on draft day will likely be their career highlight. But a few, like new YouTube show "Cobra Kai," blossom into breakout performers. With May sweeps barely in the rearview mirror, I use my favorite sitcoms to help introduce the 2018 Nationals draft class. "Head of the Class":...

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Liz Barr: What award doesn't Max Scherzer deserve?

June 06, 2018, 4:26am

Nationals

Liz Barr: What award doesn't Max Scherzer deserve?

Max Scherzer is the best pitcher in baseball right now, and he's accomplished things that other pitchers would only dream of ever touching. He has two immaculate innings, two no-hitters and a 20-strikeout game. He has three Cy Young Awards, and is the two-time incumbent winner in the National League. He looks to be well on his way to a third straight, and there's no question about it. Scherzer is crushing the National League in just about every pitching category, leading a dominant Nationals...

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Night off gives Nats chance to cheer on Caps in Stanley Cup finals

June 04, 2018, 7:30pm

Nationals

Night off gives Nats chance to cheer on Caps in Stanley Cup finals

Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals took the D.C. by storm on Monday night, and with the First-Year Player Draft taking place, some of the Nationals took in the eventful evening at Capital One Arena, cheering on the Washington Capitals as they moved closer to eliminating the Vegas Golden Knights with a 6-2 victory. The Capitals attempting to make history and win the club's first StanleyCup and Washington's first major sports championship in a quarter of a century. The @Nationals' Ryan...

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Opposite Dugout: Skidding Rays hoping to get back to .500

June 04, 2018, 4:57pm

Nationals

Opposite Dugout: Skidding Rays hoping to get back to .500

Manager: Kevin Cash (4th season) Record: 28-30 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B C.J. Cron (12 HR, 32 RBIs), SS Daniel Robertson (.272), C Wilson Ramos (.301 with 7 HR, 29 RBIs), 3B Matt Duffy (.308), RHP Sergio Romo (5.96 ERA), RHP Ryne Stanek (3.97 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-1 in 2015) Pitching probables: June 5: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-0) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (9-1), 7:05 p.m., MASN2June 6: TBA vs. RHP Tanner Roark (2-6), 1:05 p.m., MASN2 Inside the Rays: The Rays...

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Marty Niland: Ken McMullen draws birthday love from D.C. fans

June 04, 2018, 4:49am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Ken McMullen draws birthday love from D.C. fans

Washington baseball fans still love Ken McMullen. The former Senators third baseman's 76th birthday was June 1, and there were dozens of likes and comments on a post recognizing the occasion on two D.C. Baseball History Facebook pages. The post included a photo of McMullen wearing a Senators uniform, in a fielding pose and wearing a batting helmet. McMullen came to the Senators in the same seven-player blockbuster that brought Frank Howard to the nation's capital, and McMullen flourished...