Kieboom's glove better than expected on both sides of infield
Kieboom's glove better than expected on both sides of infield
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As much as the Nationals have gone out of their way to keep Carter Kieboom focused on learning how to play third base, the rookie infielder is actually spending a lot of time on the other side of the diamond so far this season. When they utilize the shift against a left-handed batter, the Nats are leaving Trea Turner at shortstop and having Kieboom move all the way over to what would typically be the second baseman's spot on the infield (with the second baseman moving into shallow right...
O's game blog: The series opener with Toronto
O's game blog: The series opener with Toronto
Steve Melewski
Orioles
During this truncated season, where the Orioles will play 40 of 60 games against American League East opponents, tonight they get back to divisional play. After going 7-5 in 12 straight games versus National League teams, the Orioles begin a three-game series at Oriole Park against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles (12-9) are three games behind New York for the AL East lead and one game back of Tampa Bay for second. They have gone 5-3 (.625) against their own division, going 2-1 versus Boston,...
Martinez being careful with Kendrick; updates on Strasburg, Castro
Martinez being careful with Kendrick; updates on Strasburg, Castro
Byron Kerr
Nationals
He owns two of the most meaningful home runs in Nationals history. So when Howie Kendrick is not available, it certainly changes the makeup of the lineup and the quick strike ability for this club. A grand slam to beat the Dodgers and a go-ahead foul pole-clanging two-run homer against in World Series Game 7 against the Astros will forever go down in Nats lore. Those big hits might have made some forget that Kendrick fought through a left hamstring strain that kept him out of the lineup for 11...
Iglesias becoming a consideration for injured list
Iglesias becoming a consideration for injured list
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The inability to keep shortstop José Iglesias in the lineup due to a sore left quadriceps muscle has the Orioles at least pondering the benefits of a stint on the 10-day injured list. Iglesias is on the bench again tonight and has been the designated hitter on three occasions to lessen the strain on his leg. He's appeared in 16 games, making 10 starts at shortstop, and slashed .400/.414/.564 with nine doubles and 10 RBIs. "That's a possibility," manager Brandon Hyde said during today's...
Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chris Davis stays on the bench tonight while the Orioles open a three-game series at home against the Blue Jays. Davis pinch-hit in the ninth inning yesterday and struck out with the count full. He's 6-for-45 (.133) with a .388 OPS, three doubles, an RBI, three walks and 13 strikeouts. His last home run was hit Sept. 23 in Toronto, where the Blue Jays are prohibited from playing this summer. They've relocated to Buffalo. Davis' last start came in Friday's 15-3 loss to the Nationals. He has...
Soto named NL Player of the Week
Soto named NL Player of the Week
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Juan Soto was named National League Player of the Week after a torrid road trip at the plate. During a seven-game stretch at the Mets and Orioles, Soto hit .462 (12-for-26) with five home runs, 12 RBIs, 12 runs scored at a 1.610 OPS. He hit safely in six of the seven games and drove in a run in five of the seven contests. Though he doesn't qualify yet for the league leaderboard because he opened the season on the injured list while quarantining from what he believes was a false positive test...
Game 20 lineups: Nats at Braves
Game 20 lineups: Nats at Braves
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals' season will be 33.3 percent complete at the end of the night, but they'll have played only 17.5 percent of their division games for 2020. Yes, things are moving quickly in this shortened season, but there's a whole lot of opportunity left to win the games that matter most. It begins tonight with a three-game series in Atlanta against the Braves, who are 13-10 and tied with the 9-6 Marlins for first place in the National League East but still dealing with their fair share of...
Juan Soto named NL Player of the Week
Juan Soto named NL Player of the Week
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Following a week in which he hit .462 (12-for-26) with one double, five home runs, 12 RBI, three walks, one stolen base and 12 runs scored in seven games during the week, Juan Soto was named National League Player of the Week on Monday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network. Soto, 21, led the National League in slugging percentage (1.077), OPS (1.610), home runs (5) and RBI (12) during the week. He hit safely in six of the seven games, drove in runs in five of the seven and...
O's group of four stacked up with Dodgers' group on MLB Network
O's group of four stacked up with Dodgers' group on MLB Network
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles offense, particularly four of their key hitters, got some national recognition during a segment on MLB Network today. Not only that, but in a video segment anchored by former Orioles infielder Bill Ripken, when compared to a more heralded and accomplished Los Angeles Dodgers quartet, the Orioles four stacked up very well. Ripken showed a stat comparison of how Anthony Santander, Pedro Severino, Hanser Alberto and Renato Núñez stacked up with the Dodgers foursome of Mookie...
Turner on youngsters García and Kieboom: "It's fun playing with them"
Turner on youngsters García and Kieboom: "It's fun playing with them"
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals shortstop Trea Turner made his major league debut about this time in 2015. Turner was 22 and went 0-for-2 against the Brewers. His double play counterpart five seasons later, 20-year-old second baseman Luis García, made his major league debut four days ago. Third baseman Carter Kieboom made his debut last April at 21. Juan Soto, who plays behind Turner in left field, made his debut in May 2018 at 19. In center field, Victor Robles made his debut in September 2017 at 20. All around...