Why has the Nationals offense been grounded?
Why has the Nationals offense been grounded?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
One by one, they swung at hittable pitches. And one by one, they pounded the ball into the ground. Whether leading off an inning, trying to get something going with two outs or trying to drive in a runner from scoring position, the Nationals kept meeting the same fate during Monday night's 7-3 loss to the Cubs: Groundball outs. How bad was it? Through the seventh inning, the Nats had put 18 balls into play. Only four of them were hit in the air, and all of those resulted in hits (two singles,...
Cubs give Lester, Schwarber love, then beat them (updated)
Cubs give Lester, Schwarber love, then beat them (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Tonight's series opener at Wrigley Field was always going to be about Jon Lester and Kyle Schwarber, one way or the other. The return of the two former Cubs to their old stomping grounds as members of the Nationals for the first time had been wildly anticipated for days in Chicago. And the North Side faithful showered both players with love all night. Lester and Schwarber were touched by it all, to be sure. They appreciated the warm welcome home from the crowd of 11,144. But more than...
Minor league notes on OBP, Aberdeen's steals, promotion timing and more
Minor league notes on OBP, Aberdeen's steals, promotion timing and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Birdland has likely noticed and no doubt enjoyed some great starts by both individual players and teams on the Orioles farm. Through Sunday's games, three of the O's four full-season affiliates are playing .667 ball or better. The four teams have a combined record of 29-18 (.617) and the Orioles rank seventh among major league organizations in minor league win percentage. Among several players off to great starts are two of the club's best young prospects. Pitcher Grayson Rodriguez is 1-0...
Updating Orioles rotation for Rays series
Updating Orioles rotation for Rays series
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are flip-flopping their top two starters entering their series against the Rays that begins tonight at Camden Yards. As expected, Matt Harvey is starting the opener on an extra day of rest due to yesterday's vacancy in the schedule. Left-hander John Means takes the mound Wednesday with seven days separating his outings. Rookie Dean Kremer closes out the series Thursday afternoon before the Orioles head to D.C. The Rays are starting right-hander Luis Patiño tonight. Manager...
Diaz going on injured list, Santander completes assignment
Diaz going on injured list, Santander completes assignment
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
No longer confident that Yusniel Diaz is nearing a return to the Triple-A Norfolk lineup, the Orioles have decided to place him on the minor league injured list. Diaz hasn't played since exiting a May 9 game in Jacksonville following an RBI double in the ninth inning. He strained his right hip/quadriceps muscle and needed assistance leaving the field. The No. 7 prospect in the organization according to Baseball America and No. 8 per MLBPipeline.com, Diaz is 5-for-25 with a double, home run and...
Strasburg joins Nats in Chicago, but no decision yet
Strasburg joins Nats in Chicago, but no decision yet
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals haven't decided yet if Stephen Strasburg will come off the injured list this weekend, but the fact the right-hander has rejoined the club in Chicago offers a hint they're hoping to do just that. Fresh off a 75-pitch rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Rochester in Trenton, N.J., Strasburg flew to Chicago and will be with the Nationals for their four-game series against the Cubs. He'll throw what manager Davey Martinez termed an "extended" bullpen session Tuesday afternoon, and...
Game 37 lineups: Nats at Cubs
Game 37 lineups: Nats at Cubs
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals have been involved in their share of dramatic games at Wrigley Field in recent years. The last time they played on the North Side of Chicago in August 2019, they swept the Cubs in a wild series that many saw as the first real evidence this team was capable of winning the World Series. One year earlier, their playoff chances essentially were crushed on David Bote's walk-off grand slam off Ryan Madson. And, of course, in October 2017, Stephen Strasburg pitched one of the best games...
Lester ready for emotional return to Wrigley Field
Lester ready for emotional return to Wrigley Field
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Jon Lester never got to have his farewell moment at Fenway Park, that final walk off the mound accompanied by a roar from a crowd that knew this was his last appearance there in a Red Sox uniform, because he was traded to the Athletics on July 31, 2014, an off-day for the team. Nor did he get to have that kind of moment at Wrigley Field last fall, even though he knew his contract was ending and the Cubs might not re-sign him, because there were no fans in the stands anywhere in 2020. So excuse...
Bullpen management made easier yesterday
Bullpen management made easier yesterday
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A bullpen that experienced more hiccups over the weekend wasn't going to choke away a lead yesterday and subject the Orioles to a sweep. The use of rookie Bruce Zimmermann in a bulk role was rewarded in a big way with 5 2/3 sparkling innings. He was the first in a succession of southpaws, the baton passed to left hands. Manager Brandon Hyde knows who's available for every game, though he won't necessarily share it with the public. He tries to piece together nine innings when starters fail...
Mike Elias on the handling of the young pitchers
Mike Elias on the handling of the young pitchers
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It is one of the biggest challenges facing all 30 big league teams during the 2021 season: how to manage the innings for their pitchers. In the full 162-game season in 2019, Orioles pitchers threw a combined 1,443 innings. During the 60-game season last year, that number was just 518 2/3 innings. Getting back to that large number, while also keeping pitchers healthy, is going to be something that will be difficult to navigate. There is no handbook for how to go from 162 games to 60 and then...