Opposite dugout: Braves look to get Nats monkey off their backs

Opposite dugout: Braves look to get Nats monkey off their backs
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (5th season) Record: 36-40 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: RF Nick Markakis (.300/.387/.355 with 23 RBIs), CF Cameron Maybin (.286 with 6 HR, 36 RBIs), C A.J. Pierzynski (.268/.308/.404 with 4 HR, 24 RBIs), SS Andrelton Simmons (.271 with 28 RBIs), RHP Shelby Miller (5-3, 1.94 ERA), RHP Jason Grilli (21 saves, 3.14 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-8 Pitching probables: June 30: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Shelby Miller, 7:10 p.m., MASN July 1: RHP Doug Fister vs....

Opposite dugout: Indians and Orioles have taken different turns since last meeting

Opposite dugout: Indians and Orioles have taken different turns since last meeting
Manager: Terry Francona (3rd season) Record: 33-38 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Jason Kipnis (.354/.431/.521 with 31 RBIs), LF Michael Brantley (.293/.370/.435 with 37 RBIs), RF Brandon Moss (11 HR, 35 RBIs), RHP Corey Kluber (117 strikeouts, 3.65 ERA), RHP Cody Allen (14 saves, 47 strikeouts) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 26: RHP Corey Kluber vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 June 27: RHP Cody Anderson vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:15 p.m., FOX June 28: RHP...

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

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...

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

#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...

Opposite dugout: As two hot teams clash, Blue Jays still rely on strong bats to back up poor pitching

Opposite dugout: As two hot teams clash, Blue Jays still rely on strong bats to back up poor pitching
Manager: John Gibbons (8th season) Record: 36-32 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: 3B Josh Donaldson (.307/.363/.559 with 17 HR, 46 RBIs), DH Jose Bautista (.252/.388/.524 with 13 HR, 43 RBIs), C Russell Martin (.277 with 10 HR, 35 RBIs), 1B Edwin Encarnacion (13 HR, 38 RBIs), LHP Mark Buehrle (7-4, 4.01 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (7 holds, 2.05 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 6-3 Pitching probables: June 19: RHP Mike Wright vs. RHP Marco Estrada, 7:07 p.m., MASN June 20: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. LHP...

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

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...

Opposite dugout: As A-Rod approaches milestone, Yankees might be in trouble with Miller on DL

Opposite dugout: As A-Rod approaches milestone, Yankees might be in trouble with Miller on DL
Manager: Joe Girardi (8th season) Record: 33-26 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: DH Alex Rodriguez (.270/.373/.505 with 11 HR, 29 RBIs), LF Brett Gardner (.276/.352/.433 with 27 RBIs), C Brian McCann (.264 with 9 HR, 38 RBIs), 1B Mark Teixeira (17 HR, 45 RBIs), RHP Michael Pineda (7-2, 3.33 ERA), RHP Dellin Betances (11 holds, 0.28 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 4-3 Pitching probables: June 12: RHP Michael Pineda vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 13: LHP CC Sabathia vs. RHP Bud...

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

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,...

Opposite dugout: Despite what record and stats say, Indians can pose serious threat

Opposite dugout: Despite what record and stats say, Indians can pose serious threat
Manager: Terry Francona (3rd season) Record: 26-27 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Jason Kipnis (.330/.402/.509 with 5 HR, 26 RBIs), LF Michael Brantley (.303/.384/.469 with 4 HR, 32 RBIs), RF Brandon Moss (.253 with 10 HR, 32 RBIs), RHP Danny Salazar (5-1, 3.79 ERA), RHP Cody Allen (12 saves, 34 strikeouts) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (4-3 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 5: RHP Chris Tillman vs. RHP Shaun Marcum, 7:10 p.m., MASN2 June 6: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Danny...

Opposite dugout: Something has to give between Blue Jays' bats and pitching

Opposite dugout: Something has to give between Blue Jays' bats and pitching
Manager: John Gibbons (8th season) Record: 23-29 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Chris Colabello (.368/.417/.568 with 4 HR, 14 RBIs), 3B Josh Donaldson (.312/.372/.604 with 15 HR, 39 RBIs), 1B Edwin Encarnacion (12 HR, 32 RBIs), LHP Mark Buehrle (6-4, 4.97 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (1.75 ERA in 25 2/3 IP) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (0-3 in 2012) Pitching probables: June 1: RHP R.A. Dickey vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 2: RHP Marco Estrada vs. RHP Max...

Opposite dugout: White Sox return to Baltimore for doubleheader after April postponements

Opposite dugout: White Sox return to Baltimore for doubleheader after April postponements
Manager: Robin Ventura (4th season) Record: 20-24 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 1B Jose Abreu (.284/.346/.497 with 8 HR, 29 RBIs, 10 BB), RF Avisail Garcia (.327/.365/.456 with 48 hits and 18 RBIs), SS Alexei Ramirez (40 hits, 20 RBIs), LHP Chris Sale (3-2, 54 K), RHP David Robertson (9 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 0-1 Pitching probables: May 27: LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Tyler Wilson, 1:05 p.m., MASN (Game 1)May 27: RHP Chris Beck vs. RHP Mike Wright, TBA, MASN (Game 2) Inside the White...

#TalkToMeFP: MASN's F.P. Santangelo takes over @masnNationals Twitter account

#TalkToMeFP: MASN's F.P. Santangelo takes over @masnNationals Twitter account
This past Wednesday before the Nationals wrapped up their two-game sweep of the Yankees, MASN's very own F.P. Santangelo took over the @masnNationals Twitter account to chat with Nats Nation. And when we say "took over," we mean took over. He made the account completely his. He changed the avatar, the name and even the description, adding a play off his in-game catch phrase. F.P. literally became the face of Nationals on MASN. Fans were able to tweet their Nationals questions and thoughts to...

Red October: Let's play another!

Red October: Let's play another!
The Nationals won yesterday, meaning we - Bobby and Olivia - are still enjoying the West Coast! We're about to head back to AT&T Park for Game 4 of the National League Division Series. We'll be updating you on everything leading up to and during the game, so stay tuned! As always, follow along here and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as we show you behind-the-scenes looks of the park! Oh, yeah. Side note. When you're on the West Coast, you have to stop at In-N-Out? Right....

Red October: San Francisco, we have arrived

Red October: San Francisco, we have arrived
SAN FRANCISCO - Greetings from California! It's quite the change of pace out here on the West Coast, and the Nationals are hoping that can translate to victory in this must-win game Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Today marks our first time seeing AT&T Park. So follow along here and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as we show you behind-the-scenes looks of the ballpark as the Nats get ready for Game 3 of the National League Division Series! 12:35 p.m. - Bobby -...

Red October: Back for Game 2 at Nationals Park

Red October: Back for Game 2 at Nationals Park
We're back on a beautiful fall day in D.C. for Game 2 of the NLDS! The Nationals look to bounce back after dropping Game 1 last night. Just like yesterday, you can follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat at masnNationals. We had a lot of fun yesterday talking with fans at the ballpark and on social media! We're looking forward to today, and hope to see you out here! 4:22 p.m. - Olivia - It's a brisk and beautiful day here at the park. Here are some pictures from...

Red October: All set for Game 1 at Nationals Park

Red October: All set for Game 1 at Nationals Park
We're back and ready for baseball! Olivia and Bobby here with you for the Game 1 of the NLDS. Like we blogged yesterday, we'll be here all through the series, bringing you behind-the-scenes looks at the Nationals. So, be sure to follow along with MASN on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. We'll keep updating this blog, so check in throughout the day to see what's new leading up to and during the game. Let's get started! 9 a.m. - Bobby - As expected, Stephen Strasburg will get...

Red October: Prepping for the postseason

Red October: Prepping for the postseason
Hey, Nats Nation. Olivia and Bobby here. The NLDS is almost here, and we're taking you along for our journey every step of the way. When the Nationals head to San Francisco, we'll be along for the ride, documenting our trip through tweets, Facebook updates, Instagram, this blog and even on Snapchat! So, click on the links above to get started. We're so excited to show you behind-the-scenes looks at your favorite team and sights of the ballpark! We'll keep adding updates to the top of this...