Behind Sánchez's brilliance, Nationals take Game 1 (updated)
Behind Sánchez's brilliance, Nationals take Game 1 (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - Aníbal Sánchez is not Max Scherzer. He's not Stephen Strasburg. And he's not Patrick Corbin. The rest of baseball may overlook him because of that, but the Nationals most definitely do not. Who cares if Sánchez doesn't have Strasburg's dominant stuff or Scherzer's adrenaline or Corbin's wipeout slider? He's got 14 years of big league experience, a vast repertoire of pitches few else in this sport can match, and the smarts and guts to use every one of them in any...
His prospect status took a hit, but a door is still ajar for Yusniel Diaz
His prospect status took a hit, but a door is still ajar for Yusniel Diaz
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It was a year when Orioles minor league outfielder Yusniel Diaz dealt with some injuries and saw his prospect rankings take a hit. But he ended the year hitting well and there is optimism that the key player acquired in the July 2018 Manny Machado deal could still become a key future player for the Orioles. The 23-year-old Cuban-born Diaz was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers for $15.5 million in November 2015. A penalty doubled that and the Dodgers' expenditure was $31 million for Diaz. He...
Suzuki, Robles on roster but not in lineup for Game 1 (Nats win 2-0)
Suzuki, Robles on roster but not in lineup for Game 1 (Nats win 2-0)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - Neither Kurt Suzuki nor Victor Robles is in the Nationals lineup for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, but both injured players remain on the active roster, suggesting there's reason to believe both will be ready to return soon. Suzuki, who took a fastball off his wrist and then his face in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the NL Division Series on Wednesday night, was still undergoing tests this afternoon, according to manager Davey Martinez. "I'll know more in...
Nats have to alter bullpen plan for Game 1, entire NLCS
Nats have to alter bullpen plan for Game 1, entire NLCS
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - When Daniel Hudson left the Nationals in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, he hoped to spend only 24 hours in Phoenix for the birth of his daughter, then fly to St. Louis this morning and be ready to pitch tonight in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. But as anyone who's ever had a baby can attest, Mother Nature doesn't care about best-laid plans. When the baby's ready, the baby's ready. And in this case, the newest member of the Hudson family wasn't ready to...
NLCS Game 1 lineups: Nats at Cardinals (Hudson on leave)
NLCS Game 1 lineups: Nats at Cardinals (Hudson on leave)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - It's 46 degrees. The wind chill is 39. It's not going to be pleasant at all. But none of that matters, because there's a ballgame tonight and the Nationals are playing in it. The Nats' first National League Championship Series gamesis going to present some challenges, and we're not just talking about the weather at Busch Stadium. The lineup and roster are missing three key players: Daniel Hudson, Kurt Suzuki and Victor Robles. Hudson, who flew from Los Angeles to Phoenix early...
Wilkerson prepared to work with new outfield instructor
Wilkerson prepared to work with new outfield instructor
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Removing Arnie Beyeler as first base coach earlier this month also requires the Orioles to find a new outfield instructor. It's a two-pronged search. Beyeler handled those duties as Wayne Kirby did under former manager Buck Showalter. Has anyone been more challenged in the role than Beyeler? He had to teach Stevie Wilkerson to play center field, a brand new position for the utility infielder. He needed Wilkerson to grow more comfortable in left and right, where the results also were...
In NLCS vs. Nationals, Cardinals may have edge in defense and bullpen
In NLCS vs. Nationals, Cardinals may have edge in defense and bullpen
Mel Antonen
Nationals
The Cardinals host the Nationals in the first two games of the National League Championship Series on Friday and Saturday at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals, in the postseason for the first time since 2015, beat the Braves 13-1 with a history-making 10-run first inning in Game 5 of their NL Division Series in Atlanta. Ironically, the explosion of runs was 51 years ago to the day that Detroit scored 10 runs in the sixth inning against the Cardinals in a 13-1 Game 6 World Series win in the original...
Nats' ability to not panic early pays dividends later
Nats' ability to not panic early pays dividends later
Byron Kerr
Nationals
In Game 5 of the National League Division Series, the Nationals had two hits and two walks in the first five innings against Dodgers starter Walker Buehler. They had struck out four times. Then in the sixth, they finally pieced together back-to-back hits. Anthony Rendon doubled and Juan Soto singled to plate a run. Even with the difficulties in mounting early rallies, the Nats did make Buehler work. He ended up having to throw 117 pitches. Buehler had been even more lethal in Game 1. The...
NLDS demons behind them, Nats now have eyes on bigger prize
NLDS demons behind them, Nats now have eyes on bigger prize
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
ST. LOUIS - As cathartic as Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium was - and how could it not be, given the massive roadblock they finally overcame in their fifth try - the Nationals were in no mood to rest on their laurels and take satisfaction out of their first postseason series win in club history. No, there was a good night's sleep still to get, then a flight to catch to St. Louis, then another good night's sleep before they take the field again for their first ever appearance in the National...
After tough outing, Kershaw shines in postgame interview
After tough outing, Kershaw shines in postgame interview
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Los Angeles Dodgers are becoming a bit of a tortured franchise. They have won seven straight division titles - something incredibly impressive - but they are already out of the 2019 playoffs. They lost Game 5 of the National League Division Series at home to Washington. Since the Dodgers started this run, four different teams have won the American League East title. But just one has won in the National League West. So the heartbreak was big when they blew a 3-0 lead after two innings and a...