After climbing uphill for months, Nats suddenly out in front
After climbing uphill for months, Nats suddenly out in front
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
They spent the better part of five months playing with their backs against the wall. There was the infamous 19-31 start. Then a slow climb back into the race. Then a missed opportunity to catch the Braves in the National League East. Then a down-to-the-wire surge to ensure home-field advantage for the wild card game. Then that winner-take-all game against the Brewers, in which they trailed with four outs to go. Then a 1-0 and 2-1 deficit in the best-of-five National League Division Series...
Martinez cautious with Robles, defines Elías' role next two games
Martinez cautious with Robles, defines Elías' role next two games
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals manager Davey Martinez had an update on center fielder Victor Robles as he continues recovery from a tweaked right hamstring suffered in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers. "We are going to run him a little bit today, get some treatment," Martinez said during a conference call. "Tomorrow he will participate in BP and do a little running. And we will see where we are at tomorrow. I'm not going to anticipate anything until he comes in tomorrow. But...
Bullpen duo has become strength, not weak link, for Nats
Bullpen duo has become strength, not weak link, for Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - The weak link of the Nationals roster, it is well known, is a bullpen that ranked among the majors' worst all season and simply cannot be trusted to close out games. Except that's not entirely true. The weak link of the Nationals roster is the rank-and-file portion of the bullpen, the guys who pitch the sixth and seventh innings, or the guys who have to fill in later when the main arms are unavailable. In the postseason, that portion of the bullpen has barely seen action....
Early offseason edition: "10 questions for O's fans"
Early offseason edition: "10 questions for O's fans"
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Welcome in to the first offseason edition of 10 questions. There will be others as we progress into fall and winter. As always, answer all 10 questions, just a few or even just one. Provide short answers or long. Respond to other readers' answers. It's all good and always interesting to check the responses. So here we go. 1) What will the Orioles' record be next year? 2) Who will lead the 2020 Orioles in home runs? 3) Who will lead them in wins? 4) Will the Orioles offer Jonathan Villar...
Behind another gem, Nats take commanding lead in NLCS (updated)
Behind another gem, Nats take commanding lead in NLCS (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - Another day, another no-hit bid by a member of the Big Four rotation. And thanks to those dynamite performances, plus a couple of clutch hits and more lights-out work from the back end of the bullpen, the Nationals are heading home in complete control of the National League Championship Series. If they win two of their next five games, they're going to the World Series. As closer Daniel Hudson put it earlier today - on a completely different, and far more important, matter: "Hey,...
Martinez still doesn't want to chance it with Robles (Nats win 3-1)
Martinez still doesn't want to chance it with Robles (Nats win 3-1)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - Victor Robles strained his right hamstring eight days ago, way back in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. He still hasn't seen action since. Robles was out of the Nationals lineup for the fifth straight game this afternoon with an injury that has been described as "mild" but apparently not mild enough to risk taking the field for a postseason game. "For me, it's just about Victor's health and getting him healthy," manager Davey Martinez said. "I don't want him...
More on Santander's season and how he's set for 2020
More on Santander's season and how he's set for 2020
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
While Anthony Santander passed his summer audition with the Orioles and made himself a piece of the rebuilding process moving forward, he certainly has more work to do over the winter and in spring training. There's room for improvement. It had to come up in his exit interview. Santander had 20 doubles and 20 home runs over 93 games and gained manager Brandon Hyde's trust in the outfield. He was comfortable going back for the ball and making catches against the fence and led the club with...
Grateful to witness daughter's birth, Hudson rejoins Nats
Grateful to witness daughter's birth, Hudson rejoins Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - Daniel Hudson boarded a flight in Phoenix at 6 a.m. Mountain time today, landing in St. Louis at 10:30 a.m. Central time. By 12:45 p.m., the Nationals closer was holding a press conference at Busch Stadium, detailing his whirlwind 48 hours that began with a Game 5 National League Division Series clinch in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, including the birth of his daughter, Millie, in Phoenix on Friday and now a chance to pitch in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series later this...
NLCS Game 2 lineups: Nats at Cardinals
NLCS Game 2 lineups: Nats at Cardinals
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - They got a one-hitter from their No. 4 starter and backup closer to win Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Now the Nationals send their No. 1 starter to the mound for Game 2, with their closer back in town and available to finish things off if the situation calls for it. Not a bad position to be in. Max Scherzer gets the ball, his first career postseason start in his hometown. It's hardly his first start in this ballpark, though. He's 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA in five...
With final four outs, Doolittle completes Nats' one-hitter
With final four outs, Doolittle completes Nats' one-hitter
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - When the phone rang in the Nationals bullpen and he was instructed to begin warming up, Sean Doolittle didn't really have time to think about the significance of what was now happening. Yes, Doolittle knew what was going on. Aníbal Sánchez had not yet allowed a hit to the Cardinals. Through 7 2/3 innings. Of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Chances are, if Davey Martinez came out of the dugout and signaled for him, the no-hitter was no longer intact. Or...