Liz Barr: Shawn Kelley and Matt Grace have been quietly effective

Liz Barr: Shawn Kelley and Matt Grace have been quietly effective
Are the Nationals doing well? To put it simply, no. But if we keep focusing on the negatives, we will all drive ourselves crazy. So instead, we're going to focus on a few bright spots, and today we're going to look in an unorthodox place at a few guys who have had some under-the-radar good years: in the bullpen at Shawn Kelley and Matt Grace. Kelley has gotten a little bit of a bad rep in town, especially coming off his poor 2017 season. Fans feared that 2018 would be more of the same, and it...

Opposite dugout: Playoff-minded Brewers want to be buyers at deadline

Opposite dugout: Playoff-minded Brewers want to be buyers at deadline
Manager: Craig Counsell (4th year) Record: 56-45 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: LF Christian Yelich (.303 with 12 HR, 47 RBIs), 1B Jesús Aguilar (.293 with 25 HR, 71 RBIs), CF Lorenzo Cain (.293/.391/.421 with 18 SB), RHP Jhoulys Chacin (8-3, 3.68 ERA), LHP Josh Hader (1.44 ERA, 93 Ks), RHP Corey Knebel (12 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (4-3 in 2017) Pitching probables: July 23: LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-6) vs. RHP Jhoulys Chacin (8-3), 8:10 p.m., MASN2 July 24: RHP Jeremy...

Marty Niland: Hail to "The Chief": Remembering dominant closer Chad Cordero

Marty Niland: Hail to "The Chief": Remembering dominant closer Chad Cordero
Many Nationals fans were dismayed by Sunday's news that closer Sean Doolittle will remain on the disabled list for a few more weeks after a setback in his recovery from a left foot injury. Although Doolittle has excelled as a closer since coming in trade from Oakland last season, he still has a way to go to catch the most dominant closer Washington has ever seen, Chad Cordero. The 36-year-old former Nat was one of the most popular former players at the autograph tables during All-Star FanFest...

Opposite dugout: Braves looking to carry momentum into second half

Opposite dugout: Braves looking to carry momentum into second half
Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season) Record: 52-42 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B Ozzie Albies (.281 with 20 HR, 55 RBIs); RF Nick Markakis (.323 with 61 RBIs, 120 hits); 1B Freddie Freeman (.315 with 61 RBIs, 114 hits); CF Ender Inciarte (88 hits, 23 SB); RHP Aníbal Sánchez (4-2, 2.60 ERA); LHP A.J. Minter (3.20 ERA, 4 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-4 Pitching probables: July 20: RHP Aníbal Sánchez (4-2) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (6-6); 7:05 p.m., MASN2July 21: LHP Sean...

Some random thoughts about the All-Star festivities in D.C.

Some random thoughts about the All-Star festivities in D.C.
Some random observations about the All-Star Game festivities at Nationals Park from a writer covering his first Midsummer Classic ... * Though I really hate it when I see a team's jersey that's not one of the teams playing in a game - say, an interloper in Yankees pinstripes at a Reds-Nationals game - it's been fun to see jerseys from all 30 major league teams already at Nationals Park. I've even seen a few retro throwbacks - think Senators, Browns, Expos, Pilots - for teams who have long...

Ryan Sullivan: Garcia offers a glimpse at Nationals' future

Ryan Sullivan: Garcia offers a glimpse at Nationals' future
One of the many terrific events that occur during All-Star Game week is the Futures Game, an annual exhibition consisting of the top prospects in baseball. The Futures Game began in 1999 and the rosters consist of a team of prospects from the United States against a team of players from other countries. Major League Baseball, MLB.com and Baseball America decide the teams and the Nationals will be represented by infielders Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia on Sunday. I wrote about Kieboom a few...

Opposite dugout: Mets host struggling Nationals ahead of All-Star break

Opposite dugout: Mets host struggling Nationals ahead of All-Star break
Manager: Mickey Callaway (1st season) Record: 37-53 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B Asdrúbal Cabrera (.280 with 16 HR, 51 RBIs), CF Brandon Nimmo (13 HR), LHP Steven Matz (3.31 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (16 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 4-2 Pitching probables: July 12: RHP Max Scherzer (11-5) vs. LHP Steven Matz (4-6), 7:10 p.m., MASNJuly 13: RHP Tanner Roark (3-11) vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard (4-1), 7:10 p.m., MASNJuly 14: TBA vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (2-6), 4:10., MASNJuly 15: RHP...

Special jersey has special meaning for Senators' Logan Darnell

Special jersey has special meaning for Senators' Logan Darnell
When Double-A Harrisburg lefty Logan Darnell pulls on his home jersey for the Senators' game against Bowie on July 26 at FNB Field, it'll mean a little more than usual. That's the night the Senators will don special jerseys on End Alzheimer's Night. Darnell lost his mother, Caye, 59, to Alzheimer's disease on April 13, and has been working with team management to come up with creative ways to mix his mound work and the need to raise funds and awareness. The jerseys from End Alzheimer's...

Liz Barr: Another All-Star Game, another snub for Anthony Rendon

Liz Barr: Another All-Star Game, another snub for Anthony Rendon
There were a number of deserving players left off the All-Star Game rosters, and perhaps none more than Anthony Rendon, who was not even given the Final Vote treatment that teammate Trea Turner received. It feels like we say this about Rendon every year around the All-Star break, but he always plays fantastic baseball and nobody ever gives him the time of day or recognizes his accomplishments on the diamond. It's no stretch to say that Rendon is worthy of a nod. Maybe not the most overwhelming...

Opposite dugout: Pirates quickly losing the wind in their sails

Opposite dugout: Pirates quickly losing the wind in their sails
Manager: Clint Hurdle (8th season) Record: 41-48 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Starling Marte (.278 with 10 HR, 22 SB); LF Corey Dickerson (.308 with 92 hits, 19 2B); 1B Josh Bell (76 hits, 42 RBIs); RHP Trevor Williams (6-7, 4.60 ERA); RHP Ivan Nova (4-6, 4.48 ERA); LHP Felipe Vázquez (3.38 ERA, 18 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-4 Pitching probables: July 9: RHP Erick Fedde (1-3) vs. RHP Ivan Nova (4-6); 7:00 p.m., MASN2July 10: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (2-1) vs. RHP Joe Musgrove...

Send Trea Turner to All-Star Game through MLB's Final Vote

Send Trea Turner to All-Star Game through MLB's Final Vote
We now know which Nationals will represent the host city in this year's MLB All-Star Game. Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer and Sean Doolittle have officially been selected to the National League All-Star team and will represent D.C. at Nats Park during the upcoming Midsummer Classic. But there could be one more. While Trea Turner wasn't selected in the initial All-Star ballot, you can still send the Nationals shortstop to the All-Star Game via the Final Vote taking place this week! Why should you...

Marty Niland: Cracker Jack Classic brought stars to baseball-hungry D.C.

Marty Niland: Cracker Jack Classic brought stars to baseball-hungry D.C.
Now that the starting lineups have been announced and the rosters filled, Washington is abuzz about the 89th Major League Baseball All-Star game. Many historians will tell you will that the July 17 game will be the fifth All-Star meeting in the nation's capital, the first since 1969, and they'd be technically correct. However, each summer from 1982 to 1987, Washington baseball fans saw something arguably better come to RFK Stadium. The Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic featured lineups...

Ryan Sullivan: Hey, now, (I hope) you're an All-Star

Ryan Sullivan: Hey, now, (I hope) you're an All-Star
After years of hype and anticipation, the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Washington, D.C., is only 11 days away. The fan vote concluded Thursday and on Sunday, the American and National League will announce 31 of the 32 members of the 2018 All-Star Game rosters. It would be a travesty if Trea Turner is not selected. Somewhat lost amid this peculiar season for the Nationals has been Turner's development as perhaps the best shortstop in the NL and one of the best in the majors. The...

Opposite Dugout: Marlins travel to nation's capital for four-game series against struggling Nationals

Opposite Dugout: Marlins travel to nation's capital for four-game series against struggling Nationals
Manager: Don Mattingly (3rd season) Record: 36-52 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: C J.T. Realmuto (.306), 1B Justin Bour (13 HR, 37 RBIs), RF Brian Anderson (41 RBIs), 2B Starlin Castro (.292, .340, .397) RHP Kyle Barraclough (8 saves, 1.17 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-3 Pitching probables: July 5: RHP Pablo López (1-0) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (2-1), 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 6: RHP Dan Straily (3-4) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-5), 7:05 p.m., MASNJuly 7: LHP Wei-Yin Chen (2-5) vs. RHP Max...

Liz Barr: Finding the positives during a rough stretch for Nationals

Liz Barr: Finding the positives during a rough stretch for Nationals
The last month or so of Nationals baseball has been a little bit rough. It's been tough for the team and tough for fans, and at times it's been hard to watch. They keep finding new ways to lose, and it seems like there are never enough runs scored, they can't get that big hit and there are always runners left on base. It's frustrating. But we can't wallow in misery. If we only talk about failures and what the team isn't doing right, we're going to drive ourselves crazy. Yeah, things...

Opposite dugout: Red Sox visit D.C. looking to stay atop AL East

Opposite dugout: Red Sox visit D.C. looking to stay atop AL East
Manager: Alex Cora (1st season) Record: 56-29 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Mookie Betts (.339 with 20 HR, 41 RBIs); DH J.D. Martinez (.324 with 25 HR, 100 hits); 3B Rafael Devers (78 hits, 47 RBIs); LF Andrew Benintendi (.284 with 20 2B, 53 RBIs); LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (9-3, 4.11 ERA); RHP Rick Porcello (9-3, 3.60 ERA); RHP Craig Kimbrel (2.16 ERA, 24 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-1 in 2015) Pitching probables: July 2: RHP Rick Porcello (9-3) vs. RHP Max Scherzer...

Marty Niland: Celebrating baseball's evolution and sense of community

Marty Niland: Celebrating baseball's evolution and sense of community
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden's baseball roots aren't in Washington, but she knows the sense of pride that baseball fans in the nation's capital feel toward their team and national pastime. "They represent the capital, and the team in the capital, and this is the all-American game," she said, previewing the Library of Congress' new exhibit, "Baseball Americana," which opened Friday amid the buildup to the 89th All-Star Game on July 17 at Nationals Park. Washington baseball fans can...

Ryan Sullivan: Saying farewell to Jayson Werth

Ryan Sullivan: Saying farewell to Jayson Werth
Earlier this week, Jayson Werth publicly acknowledged his baseball career is over, failing to specifically use the word retirement, but effectively ending his playing days. After the Nationals decided not to offer him a contract, Werth signed a minor league pact with Seattle in March to attempt to earn his way back to the majors. Unfortunately, nagging injuries and mediocre statistical performance was baseball's way of telling him his playing days were finished. Werth had a fascinating career,...

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to build momentum against struggling Nationals

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to build momentum against struggling Nationals
Manager: Gabe Kapler (1st season) Record: 42-36 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Rhys Hoskins (43 RBIs), CF Odúbel Herrera (.298, 13 HR, 45 RBIs), 1B Carlos Santana (46 RBIs), 2B César Hernández (.264, 12 SB), 3B Maikel Franco (38 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (9-2, 2.58 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-3 Pitching probables: June 28: RHP Tanner Roark (3-8) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (9-2), 7:05 p.m., MASN2June 29 RHP Erick Fedde (0-3) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6), 7:05 p.m., MASN2June 30: RHP...

Liz Barr: Soto working his way into Rookie of the Year conversation

Liz Barr: Soto working his way into Rookie of the Year conversation
Juan Soto has taken the Nationals by storm. We all know this. The Childish Bambino has provided the Nationals with a spark, and at times he's the only thing keeping this streaky train running. But he hasn't just taken the Nationals by storm, he's taken the entire league by storm, in a way no teenager has in a long time. There isn't an elite crop of rookies in the National League this season. There isn't a unanimous favorite like Cody Bellinger. So I say that it's within reason that Juan...