Checking out the postseason storylines

Checking out the postseason storylines
The Marlins finished in last place in the National League East in 2018 with 95 losses and 2019 with 105 losses. In the first week of this season, they were quarantined in a Philadelphia hotel for a week after 20 positive coronavirus tests that disrupted their schedule, as well as schedules for other teams, and they needed 17 new players to compete, including former Orioles reliever Richard Bleier helping their bullpen. The Marlins, who tore down World Series title teams after championships in...

Like rebuilding Orioles, Marlins are experiencing growing pains

Like rebuilding Orioles, Marlins are experiencing growing pains
Last December, about a month before he died, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre helped his son, Mel Jr., with a decision about his job. Junior couldn't decide among several offers about what pitching-coach job to take for the 2019 season. Senior advised Junior to take the Marlins' offer because he was comfortable with team owner Derek Jeter and manager Don Mattingly, given their connections with the Yankees. Senior thought that Junior needed a challenge of building a young staff with plenty of...

For openers, Rays expect bullpenning strategy is here to stay

For openers, Rays expect bullpenning strategy is here to stay
LAS VEGAS - The Rays redefined their pitching strategy last season, and they are getting ready to use the same philosophy in 2019. That is, they will continue to do their bullpenning. "We're going to see it happen," Rays manager Kevin Cash said during a press conference Monday at the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. "We're going to do it." Why not? It worked. The Rays finished third in the American League East with 90 victories. Most teams would panic if they lose...

For openers, Rays expect bullpenning is here to stay

For openers, Rays expect bullpenning is here to stay
LAS VEGAS - The Rays redefined their pitching strategy last season, and they are getting ready to use the same philosophy in 2019. That is, they will continue to do their bullpenning. "We're going to see it happen," Rays manager Kevin Cash said during a press conference Monday at the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. "We're going to do it." Why not? It worked. The Rays finished third in the American League East with 90 victories. Most teams would panic if they lose...

An eventful debut for Enny Romero out of Nats bullpen

An eventful debut for Enny Romero out of Nats bullpen
Enny Romero's first pitch as a National didn't go quite where he wanted it to go. Nor did it produce the kind of reaction he or anyone else in the park Wednesday night could have foreseen. Summoned by manager Dusty Baker to pitch the seventh inning with his team up four runs, Romero threw his very first pitch inside to Derek Dietrich, striking the Marlins third baseman in the elbow with a 98 mph fastball. Dietrich, who was one of two Miami batters hit by starter Tanner Roark earlier in the...

Baker on cuts, González's goals and more

Baker on cuts, González's goals and more
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals made their first cuts of the spring today, sending five pitchers to minor league camp so they could get more frequent work. Right-handers Michael Broadway, Derek Eitel, Kyle McGowin and Wander Suero, and left-hander Tim Collins were all non-roster invitees to camp. They've been reassigned to minor league camp (players on the 40-man roster are optioned, others are reassigned). "We were getting to a point where guys are either backing up, especially the...

Fernandez gets stronger as game rolls along in 5-1 defeat of Nats

Fernandez gets stronger as game rolls along in 5-1 defeat of Nats
Miami right-hander Jose Fernandez tossed a career-high 117 pitches, and finished up with relative ease, as the Marlins defeated the Nationals 5-1 to split the four-game set. Fernandez struck out 10 of the last 12 batters he faced, striking out 11 batters overall. He pitched seven innings, allowing only four hits, one run (earned) and three walks. "I think that's been the whole season," Fernandez said on his surge to end the outing. "The whole season, as the game progresses, I've been...

Nationals reportedly interview Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach

Nationals reportedly interview Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach
The news early Thursday of the Dodgers and manager Don Mattingly parting ways immediately led to the potential of adding a new, attractive candidate to the race for the Nationals' opening. Meanwhile, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was reportedly interviewing Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach for the managerial job, according to Yahoo Sports. If Wallach somehow ended up as skipper of the Nats, he would see his career come full circle. Wallach was drafted in the first round by the Expos in...

Don Mattingly is suddenly available, but are Nationals interested?

Don Mattingly is suddenly available, but are Nationals interested?
If you were hoping against hope that the Cubs would pull off a miraculous comeback, you awoke this morning a disappointed baseball fan. Me, I'm always happy when there are different teams in the postseason, and this year's final four guaranteed at least one new team in the World Series. But it'll be at least another season full of references to the billy goat, black cat, Bartman and the Cubs' long World Series drought. At the Cubby Bear, they're probably still drowning their sorrows. You...

Showalter looking forward to reunion with Mattingly

Showalter looking forward to reunion with Mattingly
Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't typically spend 12 minutes on one topic while chatting with the media before games. Then again, the subject isn't usually one of his former teammates and players who just happens to be visiting Camden Yards this weekend. Don Mattingly is coming to Baltimore, and he's bringing the Los Angeles Dodgers with him. He'll always have Showalter's respect. Showalter can't say enough about Mattingly, as you're about to read. They were teammates in the...