nationals buzz

Baker says slumping Harper needs to counteract game plans being used against him

October 08, 2016, 9:34am

If there's any stress jockeying with Bryce Harper's confidence heading into Game 2 of the National League Division Series, the usually upbeat Nationals slugger isn't showing it. He arrived at Nationals Park shortly before noon, cruising down the hallway toward the home clubhouse on a Hoverboard, joking with a teammate as he maneuvered the craft on a concrete path. It's business as usual for Harper, even if the Nats need to win today to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole in the best-of-five...

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Nats fans respond to team's pleas with electric postseason crowd

October 08, 2016, 9:21am

Nationals

Nats fans respond to team's pleas with electric postseason crowd

Come early. Wear red. Be loud. Stay for the whole game. That was the message the Nationals and some in the local media were trying to get across to fans before the National League Division Series against the Dodgers began Friday in D.C. Message received. Nationals fans were out in full force for Game 1 at Nats Park, and although the Dodgers jumped out to an early lead and won the game 4-3, the stadium was electric throughout, with fans standing and being loud from the start. And the Nationals...

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NLDS notebook: Baker defends Murphy's unsuccessful dash to second

October 07, 2016, 6:33pm

Nationals

NLDS notebook: Baker defends Murphy's unsuccessful dash to second

Nationals manager Dusty Baker was his usual aggressive self in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The Nats pulled off a successful double steal, setting the stage for Anthony Rendon's two-run single in the third inning, but an unsuccessful theft attempt by Daniel Murphy in the seventh cost the Nats a scoring opportunity in a 4-3 loss to the Dodgers. With one out, Murphy drew a walk off Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez. With Rendon, who had already singled twice, at the plate, Murphy...

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Opposite dugout: Dodgers, Kershaw have rough postseason history of their own

October 06, 2016, 12:33pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Dodgers, Kershaw have rough postseason history of their own

Manager: Dave Roberts (1st season) Record: 91-71 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: SS Corey Seager (.308/.365/.512 with 26 HR, 72 RBIs), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.285/.349/.435 with 18 HR, 90 RBIs), 3B Justin Turner (.275/.339/.439 with 27 HR, 90 RBIs), LHP Clayton Kerhsaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (1.83 ERA with 47 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-1 Pitching probables: Oct. 7: LHP Clayton Kerhsaw vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 5:30 p.m., FS1 Oct. 8: LHP Rich Hill vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 4 p.m.,...

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District 34 podcast: Previewing the Nationals-Dodgers NLDS showdown

October 06, 2016, 10:07am

Nationals

Playoff baseball is back in Washington, D.C.! The Nationals and Dodgers will kick off their National League Division Series tomorrow at Nats Park with a Game 1 showdown between Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw. Daniel Murphy has had success in the postseason. Bryce Harper always seems to shine brightest on a big stage. Anthony Rendon has made huge contributions during the playoffs. And Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman always seem to come up clutch when needed. For our playoff preview episode of...

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Marty Niland: Nats' postseason hero could be anyone

October 03, 2016, 4:42am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Nats' postseason hero could be anyone

The Nationals are banged up as they enter the 2016 playoffs, with many of their top stars out or ailing for the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. But if they are going to give Washington a postseason series win for the first time since 1924, the Nats will still need a postseason hero to make it happen. Wilson Ramos is out for the whole postseason. Stephen Strasburg won't be pitching in at least the NLDS. Daniel Murphy is hobbled. Bryce Harper is still...

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Opposite dugout: In wake of tragedy, Marlins try to finish season on high note

September 29, 2016, 12:58pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: In wake of tragedy, Marlins try to finish season on high note

Manager: Don Mattingly (1st season) Record: 78-80 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Christian Yelich (.292 with 20 HR, 95 RBIs), CF Marcell Ozuna (.264 with 23 HR, 75 RBIs), RF Giancarlo Stanton (27 HR, 74 RBIs), RHP Tom Koehler (4-13, 4.15 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (2.86 ERA with 39 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 8-8 Pitching probables: Sept. 30: RHP Andrew Cashner vs. RHP A.J. Cole, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Oct. 1: LHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 4:05 p.m., MASN2 Oct. 2: RHP Tom Koehler vs....

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District 34 podcast: Injury updates heading into the postseason

September 29, 2016, 10:40am

Nationals

District 34 podcast: Injury updates heading into the postseason

Playoff baseball is back in D.C.! The Nationals are back in the postseason after clinching their third National League East division title in five years last weekend, and will face the Dodgers in the National League Division Series. That series starts next Friday, but where it will begin remains to be seen. The Nationals hold a two-game lead over the Dodgers heading into today's series finale against the Diamondbacks at Nats Park. Their magic number to clinch home field advantage for the NLDS...

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David Huzzard: Nats need role players to step up

September 29, 2016, 5:09am

Nationals

David Huzzard: Nats need role players to step up

Wilson Ramos is lost for the postseason, Stephen Strasburg will miss the series against the Dodgers, and Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy are dealing with nagging injuries. To say the Nationals are entering the postseason not in their best shape is an understatement. In order to make a deep playoff run, the Nationals are going to need some guys to step up. This isn't uncommon for the postseason and the Nationals have been on the receiving end of it. Joe Panik and Pete Kozma are far from...

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Charlie Fliegel: Who steps up in Ramos' absence?

September 28, 2016, 5:03am

Nationals

Charlie Fliegel: Who steps up in Ramos' absence?

The season-ending injury to Wilson Ramos is obviously a big blow to the Nationals. And with everything Ramos has gone through, especially after the season he was having, it's hard not to feel sad for him. But the loss of one player, even one who was the team's second-best hitter this year, won't end the Nats chances. Ramos hasn't exactly been hitting well recently, with only a .764 OPS in the second half, but the team's production hasn't diminished - August was, in fact, their best month...

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Steve Mears: "Next man up" and the postseason roster

September 27, 2016, 6:51am

Nationals

Steve Mears: "Next man up" and the postseason roster

The Nationals have been holding tryouts for the postseason roster, and last night, Dusty Baker made some calculated moves, some interesting moves and some moves out of necessity. The moves out of necessity were to replace Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy, as both are nursing injuries. Then Baker had to replace Wilson Ramos, who left the game with an apparent right knee injury. Baker went to Pedro Severino over Jose Lobaton in what Baker described after the game as "next man up." While you...

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Relive Nats Clinchmas through GIFs, videos and photos

September 26, 2016, 1:10pm

Nationals

Relive Nats Clinchmas through GIFs, videos and photos

The Nationals have returned home as National League East champions! Before the team takes on the Diamondbacks, let's take a look back at Saturday night's party in Pittsburgh. The Nats headed into Saturday's game with the magic number at two. Needing a win and a Mets loss, the Nats jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the fourth inning at PNC Park and didn't look back. After wrapping up the win, the Nats retreated to the clubhouse, happy about the win but still needing a Mets loss to be able to pop...

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Marty Niland: Sunday's win showed this Nats team has moxie

September 26, 2016, 4:32am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Sunday's win showed this Nats team has moxie

If the injured, tired Washington Nationals were wondering where they might get that extra push for the postseason, they may have found it Sunday in Pittsburgh. A day after clinching the National League East and celebrating late into the night, the Nats were clearly a weary team. They wrapped up a nine-game, 10-day road trip, and approached the end of the 162-game grind with Stephen Strasburg out indefinitely, Daniel Murphy's status uncertain, and Ryan Zimmerman hurting after being hit by a...

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Opposite dugout: With nothing to lose, D-backs looking for payback against Nats

September 24, 2016, 5:47pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: With nothing to lose, D-backs looking for payback against Nats

Manager: Chip Hale (2nd season) Record: 64-91 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B Jean Segura (.314/.362/.482 with 17 HR, 60 RBIs), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.301/.414/.495 with 23 HR, 91 RBIs), RF Yasmany Tomas (29 HR, 75 RBIs), LHP Robbie Ray (8-13, 4.66 ERA), RHP Jake Barrett (3.49 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: Sept. 26: RHP Archie Bradley vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 27: RHP Zack Godley vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 28: RHP Shelby Miller...

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Opposite dugout: Pirates need series vs. Nats to keep wild card hopes alive

September 22, 2016, 8:12pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Pirates need series vs. Nats to keep wild card hopes alive

Manager: Clint Hurdle (6th season) Record: 76-76 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (24 HR, 75 RBIs), RF Gregory Polanco (22 HR, 85 RBIs), LF Starling Marte (.311/.362/.457), RHP Ivan Nova (5-1, 2.93 ERA), LHP Tony Watson (3.15 ERA with 15 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-2 Pitching probables: Sept. 23: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Jameson Taillon, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 24: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Ivan Nova, 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 25: RHP A.J. Cole vs. LHP Steven Brault, 1:35...

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David Huzzard: Which Nationals will bring home postseason awards?

September 22, 2016, 4:20am

Nationals

Awards season is as much about stories as it is about the performance on the field. With the season drawing to a close, there is a lot of talk about the postseason awards and three Nats names come up consistently in Dusty Baker, Daniel Murphy, and Max Scherzer. Baker has a good chance at winning National League Manager of the Year. He took over a Nationals team that disappointed last season and was much healthier in 2016. How much credit his increased use of the bench deserves for that is up...

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Charlie Fliegel: Ryan Zimmerman's rotten luck

September 21, 2016, 5:24am

Nationals

Charlie Fliegel: Ryan Zimmerman's rotten luck

We don't need to worry about Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, right? Those hits should start coming any minute. After all, despite his poor numbers since coming back, he's top 10 in exit velocity and bottom 10 in BABIP, so, it's all just bad luck. Right? Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Zimmerman is fourth in groundball exit velocity, and top 25 for liners and fly balls. So he hits grounders hard, and it's not like he's not hitting other pitches softly. But he hits so many...

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Steve Mears: Could Nats take better advantage of Trea Turner's speed?

September 20, 2016, 9:01am

Nationals

Steve Mears: Could Nats take better advantage of Trea Turner's speed?

Are the Nationals taking enough advantage of Trea Turner's speed? On the surface, the answers is yes, as Turner has 27 stolen bases and is now 10th in the major leagues in stolen bases, but consider that Turner has been on first or second base more than 40 times this season where he did not steal. In the game of inches, the Nationals could rearrange the lineup to improve Turner's chances to steal even more bases and be more aggressive. Combine smart with aggressive and you improve your odds...

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Opposite dugout: Injuries have cost Marlins in otherwise strong season

September 18, 2016, 3:36pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Injuries have cost Marlins in otherwise strong season

Manager: Don Mattingly (1st season) Record: 74-75 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: C J.T. Realmuto (.312), 3B Martin Prado (.311 with 70 RBIs), LF Christian Yelich (.300 with 19 HR, 90 RBIs), CF Marcell Ozuna (23 HR, 72 RBIs), RF Giancarlo Stanton (25 HR, 71 RBIs), RHP Jose Fernandez (15-8, 2.99 ERA), RHP A.J. Ramos (37 saves, 3.05 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 19: RHP A.J. Cole vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 20 : RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jose...

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Marty Niland: Taking a trip back to the 2012 playoff clincher

September 19, 2016, 4:53am

Nationals

Marty Niland: Taking a trip back to the 2012 playoff clincher

As the Nationals begin the second leg of their final road trip this season, fans are still wondering when they will clinch the National League East title. Barring an extended losing streak against teams playing less than .500 ball at the moment, the Nats are likely to celebrate their third division title in five years in a visitors clubhouse in front of another team's fans. That might be bittersweet for many Nats fans, but they can still remember some celebrations that came at home. In fact,...