In an effort to liven up the final road trip of the regular season to Philadelphia, the Nationals went all out dressing up as characters from the HBO show "Game of Thrones." Even if you have not seen the show and don't quite understand the references, you can't deny this is one of the best themed road trips, proving the Nats squad is ready to battle it out in October during the National League Division Series:
The best full-team dress-up I've ever seen. Jayson as Jon Snow; Bryce as...
Anthony Rendon and Matt Albers have had their minds and hearts with Texas for the last few days as Hurricane Harvey has devastated parts of the state, including their hometown of Houston.
On Tuesday evening, the duo set up a YouCaring page, raising money to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey, with proceeds going directly to the Houston Food Bank plus other area shelters. In less than 24 hours, the page surpassed the original $50,000 goal, which has now been raised to $80,000. More than 600...
Earlier in the year, the Nationals' Single-A affiliate, the Potomac Nationals, held a month-long fans' choice contest for the next big bobblehead idea. The winner, of course, was none other than the dual Jayson Werth and MASN's Dan Kolko bobblehead highlighting one of their most memorable postgame interviews together.
MASN is giving you the chance to win one with its caption contest on Facebook! Simply provide your best caption for this side-by-side photo on the MASN Nationals' Facebook...
If you follow F.P. Santangelo during MASN broadcasts or on social media, you know he isn't afraid to give you an inside look into his life in and out of the broadcast booth.
He caught up with Joe Heim of the Washington Post for a Q&A on an array of topics, including covering the Nationals, adjusting broadcast styles and bringing personal insights from his seven years in the majors.
The energetic broadcaster continues to show his love for the D.C. area, as well as the players he closely...
Manager: Mickey Callaway (1st season)
Record: 12-2
Last 10 games: 9-1
Who to watch: 1B Adrián González (.242, 9 RBIs), SS Asdrúbal Cabrera (.315, 3 HR, 5 RBIs), LF Yoenis Céspedes (3 HR, 12 RBIs), RHP Jacob deGrom (2-0, 3.06 ERA), RHP Zack Wheeler (1-0, 1.29 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (0.00 ERA, 7 saves)Season series vs. Nationals: 3-0
Pitching probables:
April 16: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (0-0) vs. RHP Jacob deGrom (2-0), 7:10 p.m., MASNApril 17: LHP Gio Gonzalez (1-1) vs. RHP Zack...
Manager: Gabe Kapler (1st season)
Record: 17-13
Last 10 games: 4-6
Who to watch: CF Odúbel Herrera (.337 with .392 OBP), 3B Maikel Franco (.261 with 23 RBIs), OF Aaron Altherr (.207/.305/.390), RHP Jake Arrieta (3-1, 3.49 ERA), RHP Hector Neris (5 saves, 3.00 ERA)
Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (8-11 in 2017)
Pitching probables:
May 4: RHP Nick Pivetta (1-1) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (3-2), 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 5: RHP Vince Velasquez (1-4) vs. RHP Tanner Roark (2-2), 4:05 p.m., MASNMay...
Manager: Dave Roberts (3rd season)
Record: 17-26
Last 10 games: 2-8
Who to watch: 3B Justin Turner (.462, 5 RBIs), 1B Cody Bellinger (6 HR, 19 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.278 with 7 HR, 26 RBIs), LHP Alex Wood (0-4, 3.35 ERA), RHP Kenley Jansen (3.57 ERA, 6 saves)
Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1
Pitching probables:
May 18: RHP Ross Stripling (0-1) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (7-1), 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 19: LHP Rich Hill (1-2) vs. RHP Tanner Roark (2-3), 7:05 p.m., MASNMay 20: LHP Alex Wood (0-4) vs. RHP...
Manager: John Gibbons (11th season)
Record: 30-38
Last 10 games: 5-5
Players to watch: INF Yangervis Solarte (.252, 12 HR, 37 RBIs), RF Teoscar Hernández (11 HR, 31 RBIs), 3B Josh Donaldson (.234, 5 HR, 16 RBIs). RHP Sam Gaviglio (2-2, 3.66 ERA), RHP Tyler Clippard (4-2, 3.34 ERA)
Series vs. Nationals: 1st meeting (2-1 in 2015)
Pitching Probables:
May 28: RHP Aaron Sanchez (3-5) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:07 p.m., MASNMay 29: RHP Marco Estrada (3-6) vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 4:07 p.m., MASNMay 30:...
The goal is always the same: Win the game.
But in baseball, not every win looks or feels the same. Sometimes, pitchers dominate. Other times, the hitters take center stage. Games can be blowouts, decided long before the final out, or tense affiars that go down to the wire.
This week's platter of "Nationals Classics" on MASN shows a variety of ways the Nats won games over the past handful of years.
Enjoy!
Friday, Dec. 10 - 5:30 p.m. - Newly minted American League Gold Glove winner Michael...
It's crazy how much we take after our role models. It's unfortunate that you sometimes don't fully understand their impact and the similarities between you until those people are gone.
My grandfather passed away early Sunday morning. Ramiro Blanco was 91 and thankfully passed away peacefully. He had a few ailments that came with old age, including prostate cancer, but it was just his time.
He was at peace with that. And so is the rest of the Blanco Family Circus, as we so lovingly call...
Kinks in the supply chain have holiday shoppers jumpier than usual this year as they comb the Internet and the stores (remember those?) for the hot new toy or electronic gizmo.
The good news is that the supply of warm baseball memories is flowing just fine via "Nationals Classics."
In this week's batch, MASN brings you a big moment in the budding career of a young star, a signature win for a Cooperstown-bound hurler, some marathon matches ending in Nationals wins, more clutch hits for the...
By now, the turkey may be in the oven, your kitchen may smell wonderful and you're looking at the timer counting down the hours and minutes before your Thanksgiving feast can commence.
In a few hours, you'll be stuffed, thankful for the expanding or flexible waistband on your pants and settling into your comfiest chair for the rest of the day. Whatever is on your post-Thanksgiving meal menu - pumpkin pie, a turkey sandwich trimmed with dressing and cranberry sauce, a nip of your favorite...
All rebuilds have a face attached to them. Usually one of a young, up and coming player - whether a high draft pick or fast-rising prospect - that signifies the hope of what's to come. The light at the end of the tunnel. The success of the future.
I know Nationals manager Davey Martinez said he doesn't like the term "rebuild," but for our purposes, let's just stick to calling it that, even if this new direction for the franchise is more of a retooling or reloading. Whatever "re-" you...
It hasn't been easy going for Erick Fedde over the last month. Almost a month ago, he was placed on the COVID-19 injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus in Chicago. That was just three days after he turned in one of the best performances of his career in Arizona.
A little over three weeks after landing on the IL, he was reinstated after quarantining in Chicago and building his arm strength back up. That roller coaster stretch would be enough to throw any pitcher out of...
The Nationals made a small, yet not totally insignificant move Friday in an effort to replenish their minor league pitching depth. The organization signed left-hander Josh Rogers to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Rochester.
The Red Wings announced the signing Friday afternoon.
Rogers was released by the Orioles on Monday after four appearances (two starts) with Triple-A Norfolk. He went 0-3 with a 7.79 ERA, 1.558 WHIP and 4.67 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his short time...
In a time when there is still so much uncertainty in the world, there are some things we do know for a fact as it relates to the 2021 baseball season.
Spring training started on time and was completed without any serious hiccups. The Nationals will start their 2021 campaign eventually, even after a player returned a positive COVID-19 test yesterday and opening day against the Mets was postponed. There is no universal designated hitter and the regular 10-team postseason is back, while the...
Opening day brings the hope of a new baseball season. Not even a positive COVID-19 test can change that.
"We're gonna play tomorrow night," confirmed general manager Mike Rizzo on a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday afternoon after announcing the unfortunate, but not devastating, news.
What opening day does not bring, however, is any clarity on Max Scherzer's future contract situation with the Nationals.
After the conversation switched to more baseball-related topics, Rizzo was asked if he...
Ben Braymer has been with the Nationals longer than you might think. An 18th-round draft pick out of Auburn University in 2016, the 26-year-old left-hander is entering his sixth season in the organization.
Considering his age, the year he was drafted (the same as Carter Kieboom and former Nats prospects Dane Dunning and Jesús Luzardo) and his progression through the minor league system, you might be surprised even still that Braymer finished 2020 as just the Nationals' No. 22 ranked...
The Nationals have been very clear about how they will utilize their top pitching prospects. Guys like Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli project to be front-line starters, and general manager Mike Rizzo has confirmed that's the path the organization has set them on.
But the futures of some mid-level prospects aren't as certain. Guys like Seth Romero and Ben Braymer have pitched both as starters and relievers throughout their careers, dating back to their time in college and continuing through...
Well, pitchers and catchers have reported to West Palm Beach, followed by position players. Pretty soon, there will be Grapefruit League games. And before you know it, the regular season will be upon us, pandemic willing.
But before we turn the page to a new season, we've got time for one more collection of "Nationals Classics" on MASN. This week's array of retro games includes some of the most memorable pitching and hitting performances by the Nationals.
So sit back and enjoy them. The...