Martinez explains final wild card roster decisions

Martinez explains final wild card roster decisions
When it came time to make their final roster decisions for tonight's National League wild card game, the Nationals decided to prioritize speed. As in the speed of pitches and the speed of baserunners. In choosing to keep Tanner Rainey and Hunter Strickland in their bullpen over the likes of Wander Suero, Austin Voth and Javy Guerra, the Nats went with a couple of hard-throwing right-handers who get hitters out with velocity. And in choosing to keep both Michael A. Taylor and Andrew Stevenson...

NL wild card game lineups: Nats vs. Brewers

NL wild card game lineups: Nats vs. Brewers
Well, here we go. Tonight the Nationals take the field for a ballgame that both feels familiar and yet completely foreign. It's another winner-take-all home game in October, the fourth in eight years for this team. But it's the first wild card game, so that gives tonight's proceedings an entirely different context. So much of the talk leading up to this game has been about the Nationals' pitching plan. And certainly it will be important who Davey Martinez decides to use after Max Scherzer...

Wild card roster features nine pitchers, eight on bench

Wild card roster features nine pitchers, eight on bench
The Nationals roster for tonight's wild card game includes four members of their rotation, only five members of their usual bullpen, three catchers and an eight-man bench. Suffice it to say, the strategy for this do-or-die game against the Brewers is just a bit different than it is for any other game in the regular season or postseason. The Nationals announced their 25-man roster this morning, and while most of the names come as no surprise, there are a few twists. Most notably, the Nats...

After the grind of 162, season comes down to one game

After the grind of 162, season comes down to one game
There are very few flukes in baseball. This sport requires every team to play 162 games, and after 162 games the best teams almost always emerge from the pack and prove their worthiness over others. Some clubs get off to hot starts, then are exposed over the long haul. Others need some time to come together before going on a sustained run. Some are fortunate enough to play at a consistently effective rate straight through from opening day to the season finale. Point is, after 162 games we know...

With season at stake, Nationals put their faith in Scherzer

With season at stake, Nationals put their faith in Scherzer
When he takes the mound shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, Max Scherzer will bear the weight of the Nationals' season on his broad shoulders. There are no do-overs. There's no chance to come back the next day and make up for whatever happened the previous one. The National League wild card game is their one and only shot to keep their season alive and advance to a full, five-game Division Series against the Dodgers. And they've chosen to entrust Scherzer with this assignment. That wouldn't...

Nats have decisions to make before finalizing wild card roster

Nats have decisions to make before finalizing wild card roster
For the last month, the Nationals have been playing with an expanded roster, 36 players in total, which has allowed Davey Martinez to never run out of bats off his bench or arms in his bullpen. It's the luxury of September baseball - at least until next fall, when rosters will be reduced to 28 - but it's not allowed come October. Which means Martinez and the Nationals now must pare those 36 active players into a 25-man roster for Tuesday's National League wild card game. It's not as simple...

Nats complete huge turnaround with perfect homestand (updated)

Nats complete huge turnaround with perfect homestand (updated)
A Nationals regular season that began with endless promise, bottomed out in late May but then kicked into high gear for a long time came to an end this afternoon with an 8-2 victory over the Indians and a most impressive 93-69 record few could've predicted four months ago. Next up: One game Tuesday night against the Brewers to decide whether they'll get a chance to make amends for past October failures. The Nationals will host Milwaukee in the National League wild card game, an 8 p.m....

After final tune-up today, Nats begin planning for Tuesday

After final tune-up today, Nats begin planning for Tuesday
With nothing at stake in today's regular season finale, Davey Martinez should be able to enjoy a rare, stress-free afternoon at the ballpark. The Nationals manager insists that will not be the case. "No, they're all stressful," he said with a laugh. "I love what I do. I enjoy what I do, but ... you know, I wear whatever these guys do. I want 'em all to do good. So it doesn't matter who's playing. As long as you're wearing the Nationals uniform, I want 'em all to do good." Martinez...

Scherzer will start wild card game, Strasburg and Corbin in 'pen

Scherzer will start wild card game, Strasburg and Corbin in 'pen
The decision was made a few days ago. And to hear Davey Martinez talk about it, it wasn't that tough of a decision: Max Scherzer will start Tuesday night's National League wild card game. Martinez delivered the news to his ace a few days ago, and his reaction was probably what you assume it was. "I can't exactly say what he said to me, but he was excited," Martinez said with a laugh. "He's ready." Though Scherzer will be on the mound to start the winner-take-all game against either the...

Nationals' wild card opponent still up in air (updated)

Nationals' wild card opponent still up in air (updated)
The Nationals, as they have made clear for the last 36 hours, are motivated to get home field advantage for the wild card game. While they intend to give most of their weary lineup regulars and relievers at least one day off this week, they're still attempting to win as many games as they can in an attempt to ensure Tuesday night's winner-take-all contest is played on South Capitol Street. But it's no longer a formality who they will face in that game, no matter if at home or on the...

The state of the race with nine days to go

The state of the race with nine days to go
MIAMI - As the clock ticks down on September, the magnitude of every game result grows. And what looked like a tight race only days ago begins to look more comfortable. No, the Nationals haven't clinched anything yet. Not even close to it. But in the simple act of winning 6-4 Friday night over the Marlins, and especially in the simple act of watching the Cubs lose three days in a row (once to the Reds, twice to the Cardinals), the Nats have put themselves in a pretty advantageous...

On homer and strikeout records, and the goal of 90 wins

On homer and strikeout records, and the goal of 90 wins
ST. LOUIS - Some news and notes to cleanse your palette before the Nationals and Cardinals return to action this afternoon for their series finale ... * Howie Kendrick's fourth-inning homer Tuesday night was big because it helped set the tone for an eventual 6-2 victory, but it also was historic. Kendrick's solo blast to center was the Nationals' 215th home run of the season. That ties the franchise record. Which was set only two years ago. But still. Home run records are being set left and...

How the Nationals turned a comfortable lead into a tight race

How the Nationals turned a comfortable lead into a tight race
ST. LOUIS - For more than two months now, the Nationals have not only been in wild card position but (aside from a couple of days) have been in the driver's seat to host the Oct. 1 winner-take-all game. As recently as two weeks ago, they held a four-game lead over the Cubs for home field advantage and a seven-game lead for a spot in the wild card game. And by the end of play tonight, they could have given all of it back. The combination of a sluggish September (6-9) for the Nationals with a...

Doolittle, Martinez will reconsider closer's workload

Doolittle, Martinez will reconsider closer's workload
Sean Doolittle insisted before Saturday night's game, he was good to pitch. As soon as he actually tried to pitch in the top of the ninth, he realized he didn't have what he needed to be effective. "Tonight, man, I just didn't have anything," the Nationals closer said. "So, yeah, we're going to have to figure something out. I'm going to have to figure something out. Because this team, they deserve better right now." What had been looming as a potential problem for a while now has...

Wildest game of year ends with loss in 14th (updated)

Wildest game of year ends with loss in 14th (updated)
Who knows how this wild 2019 season will end for the Nationals, whether they'll catch the Braves and win the National League East, whether they'll hold onto one of the league's two wild card berths or whether they'll collapse and miss the playoffs altogether. Here's what we can say unequivocally about the 2019 Nationals: They do not quit. No game is ever out of reach. No matter how demoralized they may be at one moment, they refuse to stay down until they've used up every last...

Decision looming for final spot in rotation (Nats trail 6-5)

Decision looming for final spot in rotation (Nats trail 6-5)
Rotation depth, such a problem area for the Nationals last season and early this season, hasn't been an issue over the last month. That's thanks to the lights-out performances of Erick Fedde and Joe Ross, who have allowed the Nats to continue to thrive even while Max Scherzer has been on the injured list. Now, though, the organization faces a surprisingly tricky decision with Scherzer close to returning from his back injury. And the potential return of two other right-handers from long-term...

Game 122 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers

Game 122 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers
It's Season Plan Holder Appreciation Day here at Nationals Park. It's also Max Scherzer Simulated Game No. 2 Day. These two events are going on simultaneously, which is both cool (the fans are able to watch this) and awkward (Dan Kolko, Bo Porter and Alex Chappell are holding a Q&A as Scherzer pitches directly behind them). Anyways, tonight's game ... the Nationals are riding a five-game winning streak into this evening's contest. They'll look to improve to a season-best 12 games over...

Rendon's clutch doubles enough to lift Nats to win (updated)

Rendon's clutch doubles enough to lift Nats to win (updated)
The Nationals totaled only three hits tonight. Turns out that was enough, because two of them were Anthony Rendon RBI doubles. The man who has made a name for himself with clutch two-baggers delivered the pair of clutch doubles his team needed tonight. The Nationals rode those RBI doubles, including the go-ahead hit in the bottom of the eighth, to a 2-1 victory over the Brewers on a night when they had to scrap and claw for everything. "I tell the guys: 'Hey, it only takes one more than the...

Game 121 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers

Game 121 lineups: Nats vs. Brewers
The Nationals have announced starters for this weekend. Aníbal Sánchez will start Saturday night, with Erick Fedde taking the mound Sunday afternoon. Obviously, neither of those guys is named Max Scherzer, so it appears the ace's return from the injured list isn't happening quite yet. But before you panic, he's out throwing in the outfield right now, so it doesn't appear he's had any setback. The Nats are just taking a more cautious approach with his return. But enough about the rest...

Decision day for Nationals and Scherzer

Decision day for Nationals and Scherzer
It's decision day for the Nationals, who must figure out when and where Max Scherzer will next pitch. If it's up to Scherzer, the answer to the first question is "Saturday" and the answer to the second question is "at Nationals Park against the Brewers." But it's not up to the ace of the staff. Davey Martinez, Mike Rizzo and the club's medical staff will have the final say on the plan for Scherzer, who believes he's ready to return from the injured list ASAP. The Nationals have not...