Because You Asked - I Want to Believe
Because You Asked - I Want to Believe
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As I check out the playoff games that hold my attention for one or two innings, my thumb pressed on the remote at all times with the exception of bathroom breaks, I never lose focus on my responsibilities on the Orioles beat. The mailbag fills up and it's my duty to sort through it, count the duplicate questions and wonder what else I could have done to close the topics. This is another sequel, which also makes me wonder how much longer I can come up with new names. Can't top "Electric...
Why this Game 5 could be different from the other Game 5s
Why this Game 5 could be different from the other Game 5s
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
LOS ANGELES - That the Nationals find themselves here, in Game 5 of the National League Division Series, is not at all surprising. This is the norm for this franchise, having now been in this exact position four times in the last eight years, three in the last four. And yet this one feels entirely different than those that came before. The end result - a heartbreaking loss, after leading at some point - may wind up feeling familiar. Too familiar. But the circumstances entering this Game 5 do...
Three needs for the Orioles, and maybe one more job for Showalter
Three needs for the Orioles, and maybe one more job for Showalter
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Former Orioles skipper Buck Showalter's name is coming up for some of the various managerial openings around Major League Baseball. He's been somewhat connected to the openings in San Diego and with the New York Mets. He could be a candidate if there is an opening soon in Philadelphia. Showalter certainly did great things in Baltimore. Ironically, he left the Orioles with an overall losing record at 669-684 (.494). But a lot of that, of course, was due to the last-place finishes in 2017 and...
Zimmerman not done delivering big moments for Nats
Zimmerman not done delivering big moments for Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Ryan Zimmerman was sitting next to Max Scherzer in the interview room at Nationals Park late Monday night, the pair of 35-year-olds talking about their immense contributions to their team's stave-off-elimination victory in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, when the inevitable question was raised. "Zim, your contract's expiring, and this could be your last game before a home crowd," the out-of-town reporter began. "Did you have any extra oomph at your at-bats, especially with...
Doolittle and Hudson becoming a thing as Nats surge to Game 5
Doolittle and Hudson becoming a thing as Nats surge to Game 5
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals manager Davey Martinez had hoped he would be able to get seven innings out of his starter, Max Scherzer, in Monday's Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers. If that could occur, he would then turn it over to Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson in the final two innings. The scenario played out to an extent in Game 2. In that game, Stephen Strasburg finished six innings. Then, Martinez went to Doolittle, Scherzer and Hudson to get three innings and preserve the...
Scherzer empties tank for seven innings in Nats' 6-1 win
Scherzer empties tank for seven innings in Nats' 6-1 win
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals had left-hander Sean Doolittle warming up in the seventh inning. His club was facing elimination but led 6-1 in Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers at Nationals Park. Max Scherzer had allowed only three hits and one run in six frames against the vaunted Dodgers lineup. He had thrown 82 pitches. But then he fought through the seventh, firing 27 more pitches, and willed his team within six outs of a must-win game The Dodgers' Corey Seager flew out to...
Dodgers' Buehler ready to face pressure of NLDS elimination Game 5
Dodgers' Buehler ready to face pressure of NLDS elimination Game 5
Mel Antonen
Nationals
The Dodgers arrived at Nationals Park on Monday night hoping to punch their ticket to a fourth consecutive National League Championship Series. Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer had other ideas. So did Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon. Scherzer pitched seven innings, Zimmerman launched a home run to center field in a four-run fifth inning and Rendon had three RBIs in the Nationals' 6-1 victory in Game 4 of their best-of-five NLDS. Game 5 is in Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night with Walker...
Has MLB reached the point of too many homers?
Has MLB reached the point of too many homers?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Rather than bore myself with hard-to-follow stories about seams on baseballs, or how they are made or how much or little drag was on the ball in 2019, I just looked at a few numbers, and they led me to a conclusion. Major League Baseball officials need to use a baseball in 2020 that leaves the bat and moves more like a baseball than a Titlelist. Yes, it has gotten ridiculous. Do fans truly like this version of the game? Attendance is down slightly, and many seem to be tiring of a steady stream...
Behind biggest stars, Nationals force another Game 5 (updated)
Behind biggest stars, Nationals force another Game 5 (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals' chances of beating the Dodgers in this National League Division Series have always rested on the shoulders of the very best players on their roster. They don't have the depth to compete with the 106-win champions of the NL West, but they do have the star power at the top of their roster to make them sweat. And so with their season hanging by a thread tonight in Game 4 of the best-of-five series, the Nats turned to the best they had to keep the 2019 campaign alive and well for...
Rendon evens Game 4 with sacrifice fly (Nats win 6-1)
Rendon evens Game 4 with sacrifice fly (Nats win 6-1)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Dodgers were able to jump out on top early against the Nationals in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. Facing Max Scherzer, Justin Turner blasted a solo homer to left-center field on a 95.5 mph fastball. Turner's second postseason homer came on an 0-1 pitch with two outs in the top of the first. He now has nine career postseason homers, which is third all-time in Dodgers history. Scherzer got out of the inning allowing just that one run. Corey Seager had a double in the second...