Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in big games

Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in big games
Yes, the Giants hold a two games to none lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series. Yes, they're returning home and ace lefty Mardison Bumgarner is on the hill for Game 3 today. But Nationals right-hander Doug Fister has pitched well against Bumgarner in the past. June 10, 2014. Nationals at Giants: Fister defeated left-hander Madison Bumgarner 2-1. The weather was 59 degrees and the wind was coming in from center field at 16 mph, according to Baseball Reference. The Nationals...

Preaching patience at the plate

Preaching patience at the plate
SAN FRANCISCO - There's been a lot of attention put on Matt Williams' decision to take Jordan Zimmermann out in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the National League Division Series in favor of Drew Storen. Williams' plan didn't go as he had hoped, the Nationals' 1-0 lead evaporated, and they ended up losing 2-1 in 18 innings. Some fans and media members also spent part of Friday night and Saturday morning discussing Stephen Strasburg's outing, in which he went five innings and allowed two...

Patient approach, starting Zimmerman could be keys to Game 3

Patient approach, starting Zimmerman could be keys to Game 3
The Nationals are now in a difficult situation down 2-0 in the National League Division series to the Giants with Game 3 on Monday afternoon. The pitching matchup features right-hander Doug Fister against left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Some callers to "Nats Insider" on Sunday morning on 106.7 The Fan have repeated a consistent theme that Ryan Zimmerman should get the start in Game 3 and replace Adam LaRoche at first base. MASN's Bob Carpenter, appearing on the same show, liked the idea...

Nats now viewing NLDS as "a chance to do something special"

Nats now viewing NLDS as "a chance to do something special"
SAN FRANCISCO - The flight from D.C. to San Francisco wasn't as long as that ballgame was last night. After a 6:23 marathon in Game 2, which became the longest game time-wise in Major League Baseball postseason history, the Nationals find themselves in a tough spot, with their backs against the wall. They've now dropped the first two of a best-of-five series, and will need to take the next two here in San Francisco followed by a decisive Game 5 in D.C. in order to advance. A tall order, for...

Zimmermann backs Williams' decision to pull him in ninth inning

Zimmermann backs Williams' decision to pull him in ninth inning
Jordan Zimmermann passed the time after he exited in the ninth inning of Saturday night's Game 2 of the National League Division Series bouncing between the dugout and clubhouse, watching a parade of relievers travel down the tunnel from the field. Since the game lasted 18 innings - at 6 hours, 23 minutes, it was the longest postseason game by time in major league history - he had a lot of time to ponder what might have been. But if you expected Zimmermann to second-guess manager Matt...

Rendon gives Nationals first lead of NLDS (Belt homers in 18th for 2-1 Giants win)

Rendon gives Nationals first lead of NLDS (Belt homers in 18th for 2-1 Giants win)
Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann allowed a base hit in each of the first three innings of Game 2 of the National League Division Series. But in each inning, he has found away to get out of trouble. In the third, with a man on second and one out, Zimmermann struck out Gregor Blanco and got Joe Panik to ground out to first base. The Nationals were unable to get much going against Giants right-hander Tim Hudson in the first two innings. But in the third inning, Asdrubal Cabrera dropped a double down...

Desmond could miss postseason action due to birth of son

Desmond could miss postseason action due to birth of son
As Ian Desmond takes part in the National League Division Series, his mind is also with his pregnant wife Chelsey, who is currently in Sarasota, Fla., with her and Desmond's families. Depending on when Chelsey ends up giving birth to the couple's third son, Desmond might need to step away from the Nationals' postseason run to tend to his family. Desmond said prior to Game 2 that Chelsey is currently three centimeters dilated, and while all is well with mom and baby - which is obviously most...

Giants-Nationals lineups for Game 2 of NLDS

Giants-Nationals lineups for Game 2 of NLDS
The only thing that's changed in the Nationals starting lineup for Game 2 of the National League Series against the Giants is the starting pitcher. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, coming off the team's first no-hiter since arriving in D.C. from Montreal for the 2005 season, takes the hill to try to square the NLDS at one game apiece. The Giants are going with the same batting order they trotted out in their Game 1 victory, save for starting pitcher Tim Hudson. For the GiantsCF Gregor Blanco2B...

LaRoche's advice to mates facing Hudson: Get to him early

LaRoche's advice to mates facing Hudson: Get to him early
There are few guarantees in life. Among them are death, taxes, poor life choices by Miley Cyrus and the fact that Giants right-hander Tim Hudson usually has his way with the Nationals. The 39-year-old Hudson has practically enjoyed a stellar season's worth of stats against the guys with curly Ws on their cap over his 16 big league seasons. He's 18-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 31 career starts versus the Nats. At Nationals Park, he's gone 6-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 10 games. He even dominated the Nats in...

Post no-no, Zimmermann ready for start in Game 2 (with start times)

Post no-no, Zimmermann ready for start in Game 2 (with start times)
Six days ago, Jordan Zimmermann delivered the start of his life. He retired 27 of the 28 batters that he faced. He struck out 10. He threw the first no-hitter in Nationals history. Now, the Nationals need the right-hander to put that outing behind him, go out and deal again. Boy, do they need it. I shouldn't say "put that outing behind him" as if anyone's concerned about Zimmermann moving past his no-hitter. The players and coaches inside the Nats clubhouse know what type of guy Zimmermann...

Span's defense sets tone, center fielder says Nats needs to "settle down"

Span's defense sets tone, center fielder says Nats needs to "settle down"
The way you come out and play defense can set the tone for the game and send your teammates the clear signal that you will do everything in your power to make it a tough afternoon for your opponent. Center fielder Denard Span set the tone early for the Nationals in Game 1 of the National League Division series against the Giants by making some big catches in the first inning behind starter Stephen Strasburg. Span tracked down long drives by the first two Giants hitters, Gregor Blanco and Joe...

Peavy edges Strasburg as Giants take series opener

Peavy edges Strasburg as Giants take series opener
The Giants defeated the Nationals 3-2 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday, with Jake Peavy outpitching Stephen Strasburg. But it wasn't like the Giants were teeing off on Strasburg. They had no extra-base hits until Strasburg had departed, but their eight singles were damaging enough. In turn, the Nationals were unable to avoid the Giants' gloves, minus two huge home runs from Bryce Harper and Asdrubal Cabrera. Strasburg did not believe the location of all of the Giants...

Desmond can't hide disappointment after difficult day

Desmond can't hide disappointment after difficult day
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond couldn't hide the disappointment. Losing the first game of the best-of-five National League Division Series was one thing, but twice failing to come through with runners in scoring position and striking out on both occasions obviously left a bad taste in his mouth. "We were in it the whole way," he said after the Nats' 3-2 loss in Game 1 of the NLDS at Nationals Park. "We battled back. It just wasn't enough today." The Nationals may have rebounded from a...

Trying to turn the page

Trying to turn the page
The Nationals had the last four days to look ahead to this afternoon's ballgame. The last two and a half weeks, if you count the time since they clinched the National League East title. They had a couple of days to wonder about whether they would face the Giants or the Pirates, and a couple more to map out how they might match up against San Francisco. Now they have less than 24 hours to turn the page and move on to a crucial Game 2. In the regular season, the focus is on the big picture. You...

Harper and Cabrera crank homers, but Giants win 3-2

Harper and Cabrera crank homers, but Giants win 3-2
Game 1 of the National League Division series is under way in Washington, D.C. It is only the fourth home playoff game in the nation's capital since 1933. Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg induced three flyouts to begin the game. Giants right-hander Jake Peavy walked Jayson Werth with two outs in the bottom of the first. He was the first baserunner for either team. But Adam LaRoche struck out to end the inning. Update: Peavy has managed to get swinging strikeouts to end the first two...

NLDS notebook: Williams on Zimmerman, Porter gets new gig, Morse sits, Hudson retreats

NLDS notebook: Williams on Zimmerman, Porter gets new gig, Morse sits, Hudson retreats
Reading between the lines of Nationals manager Matt Williams' comments in his media session this morning, Ryan Zimmerman could be pointing toward a start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series when the Giants start left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Zimmerman said yesterday that he is comfortable coming off the bench, and that will be his role today in Game 1. Williams opted to start Anthony Rendon at third base and Bryce Harper in left field, so Zimmerman will be a bat in reserve. But...

Williams discusses roster decisions involving Soriano, Detwiler, Hairston

Williams discusses roster decisions involving Soriano, Detwiler, Hairston
The Nationals' starting lineup for Game 1 of the National League Division Series didn't feature any surprises. The back end of the team's 25-man roster might have surprised some. The Nationals opted to put Rafael Soriano on their roster for the NLDS, while Ross Detwiler was left out of the eight-man bullpen. Detwiler had one clunker down the stretch, allowing three runs in an inning against the Braves, but was unscored upon in seven of his eight September appearances. Soriano was tremendous...

Williams on Roark's role and who will pinch-run in NLDS

Williams on Roark's role and who will pinch-run in NLDS
Manager Matt Williams spoke with the media prior to the National League Division series opener Friday at Nationals Park. Williams confirmed that right-hander Tanner Roark will come out of the bullpen in the series. Williams was asked if he planned this 25-man roster with specialists in mind or preferred long men coming out of the pen. "With the days off, especially the first round with the days off, you have those options," Williams said. "Nobody is ever going to have to go three days in a...

Here's your Game 1 Nationals lineup (with Giants lineup)

Here's your Game 1 Nationals lineup (with Giants lineup)
The Nationals lineup for Game 1 of the National League Division Series looks a lot like the Nationals lineup for the last handful of weeks of the regular season. As expected, Ryan Zimmerman will come off the bench, with Anthony Rendon staying at third base and the Nats' regular outfield remaining in place. For the GiantsCF Gregor Blanco2B Joe PanikC Buster Posey3B Pablo SandovalRF Hunter Pence1B Brandon BeltSS Brandon CrawfordLF Travis IshikawaRHP Jake Peavy For the NationalsCF Denard Span 3B...

Soriano and Schierholtz make NLDS roster, Detwiler and Hairston do not

Soriano and Schierholtz make NLDS roster, Detwiler and Hairston do not
The Nationals' Natonal League Division Series roster has been announced and features 12 pitchers (three left-handed, nine right-handed) and 13 position players (two catchers, seven infielders, four outfielders). There had been some question as to whether or not reliever Rafael Soriano would make the NLDS roster. The veteran right-hander has indeed made the Nats' group of 25. Instead, the Nationals left Ross Detwiler off the roster. He played an important role in keeping the Nationals in the...