Decision day for Nationals and Scherzer
Decision day for Nationals and Scherzer
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
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...
Because You Asked - Dawn of Justice
Because You Asked - Dawn of Justice
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are three-quarters through the 2019 season and, much to the chagrin of the most optimistic of fans, a winning record no longer is a mathematical possibility. I've lost count of how many times I've responded to the same questions. Of how many times I've made a mockery of the mailbag format for interacting with readers. You keep coming back, so you must get the joke. Or you just keep coming back and are thinking, 'What joke?' In which case ... never mind. You ask and I answer and...
A look at the top contenders for the Jim Palmer Award
A look at the top contenders for the Jim Palmer Award
Steve Melewski
Orioles
This all could change because there are a couple of weeks to go in the minor league season, and it's just one man's opinion, but at this point there are probably four to five strong contenders for the Jim Palmer Award. It goes to the O's Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Right now in some order you can list Single-A Delmarva's Grayson Rodriguez, Double-A Bowie's Michael Baumann, Alex Wells and Zac Lowther as prime contenders. I'll add to that a pitcher who has flown under the radar but...
Nats' depth a key to run for wild card berth
Nats' depth a key to run for wild card berth
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Bench players have turned into starters throughout the season to help the Nationals turn things around. The first spark was from Gerardo Parra, who arrived in May from the Giants. Parra and his "Baby Shark" started it all off with a grand slam against the Dodgers. The most recent spark has come from veteran Asdrúbal Cabrera, in his second stint with the Nats after playing in Washington for 49 games in 2014. Cabrera started the season with 93 games for Texas. Cabrera went 3-for-5 with two...
It's time to enjoy the 2019 Nationals, not complain about them
It's time to enjoy the 2019 Nationals, not complain about them
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
They've won seven of their last nine, but fans are fuming over the two games they lost in New York last weekend. They've seen Erick Fedde and Joe Ross go a combined 5-0 with an 0.90 ERA this month, but fans are convinced Max Scherzer will reinjure his back as soon as he returns to the mound in the coming days. They've seen the three relievers acquired at the July 31 trade deadline post a 1.46 ERA in 15 combined appearances, but fans are insisting Sean Doolittle's arm is about to fall...
Strasburg's bat makes noise in Nats' 17-7 blasting of Reds
Strasburg's bat makes noise in Nats' 17-7 blasting of Reds
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals ended up taking care of business with a memorable 10-run fifth inning in a 17-7 win over the Reds that completed a series sweep. Stephen Strasburg ignited the rally with a well-placed full-count single to right field off Reds starter Trevor Bauer. The hit made it 2-1 Nats and put his team on top to stay. The right-hander was able to use his bat to provide offense when the game was still in doubt. "He's got great stuff," Strasburg said of the matchup with Bauer. "Just trying to...
Brocail on pitching inside and fixing Means
Brocail on pitching inside and fixing Means
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Getting away from the Yankees offers the kind of relief to the Orioles that the bullpen has struggled to provide this season. Sixteen losses in a row to them. Seventeen total out of 19 games. Some ugly, some competitive. They count just the same. Among the lessons learned is the wisdom in walking Gleyber Torres. Doesn't matter whether first base is open. Down five runs in the eighth, two on and two outs, you hold up four fingers. Manager Brandon Hyde would have been roasted by media and fans...
Mid-game offensive explosion lifts Nats to series sweep (updated)
Mid-game offensive explosion lifts Nats to series sweep (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It's been a consistent pattern all summer long. The Nationals face an opposing pitcher they've rarely - if ever - faced before, need several innings to feel the guy out and then suddenly string together a bunch of hits to knock the previously effective starter out of the game. They've done it to several opponents, some rookies, some veterans who they haven't seen much before for whatever reason. But they've never done it like they did it to Trevor Bauer this afternoon during a 17-7 pasting...
Is rebuilding bad for baseball?
Is rebuilding bad for baseball?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The goal of any professional sports team is to win games and championships. How they get there or try to is up to them and others don't have to like it. After a 115-loss 2018 season - in fact, even before that 2018 season was over - the Orioles began their rebuilding. It continues this year and has its ups and downs. Ups like watching players like Hanser Alberto and Anthony Santander state their cases to be a part of the Orioles' hopefully better future. Downs like losing 16 straight games to...
Strasburg and Bauer trade blows early (Nats win 17-7)
Strasburg and Bauer trade blows early (Nats win 17-7)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
In the bottom of the third, Victor Robles singled and stole second base against Reds starter Trevor Bauer. Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg sacrificed Robles to third base. Trea Turner smacked a sacrifice fly to deep left field that scored Robles with the first run of the game. Strasburg allowed only one hit in the first three innings. After three innings, the Nats lead the Reds 1-0. Update: In the top of the fourth, Eugenio Suárez and Josh VanMeter singled to start a Reds rally....