#TBT to "Nationals Classics": A no-no, near perfection and a journeyman's immortality

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": A no-no, near perfection and a journeyman's immortality
What's the most memorable moment in Nationals history? Now that the Nats have been around and making memories since 2005, there are a bunch to choose from. Maybe it's Jayson Werth's walk-off home run that gave the Nationals life in the 2012 National League Division Series. Or Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout game (which I was lucky enough to see as a fan, the only game I attended in the stands that season). Not all momentous Nationals moments involve the Nationals, mind you. Sometimes, it's the...
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Club's rookie season in D.C. featured

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Club's rookie season in D.C. featured
The World Series is over, and the countdown to spring training has begun. As we enter the void, remember two things: The Nationals' facility in West Palm Beach will start getting busy in just three and a half months, and MASN is here to fill the baseball vacuum. The first two entries in this week's "Nationals Classics" lineup take us back to the cavernous confines of the Nats' first home on East Capitol Street, and you'll see some faces that will jog your memory, including a young Ryan...
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": A flair for the dramatic

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": A flair for the dramatic
Who doesn't like a little drama? OK, before you wonder whether you've accidentally clicked on a blog about HBO's latest Sunday night offering or the season's top Hollywood blockbuster film, rest assured that we're still all baseball all the time here at MASNsports.com. But along with incredible offensive performances, spectacular pitching efforts and historical moments aplenty, we like to think of "Nationals Classics" on MASN as your place to add a little diamond drama to your daily...
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Buffet features vintage performances and fresh stars

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Buffet features vintage performances and fresh stars
Yeah, there's still some baseball to be played, but with the Nationals missing the postseason for the first time in three years and the Braves eliminated, there's nobody left that you're really rooting for or against. Meanwhile, the falling temperatures of autumn have got you craving a little comfort food. Something to nosh on while the league championship series wrap up, the World Series starts up and the Nats make offseason preparations for a return to the playoffs in 2019. The chefs here...
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#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Homers, walk-offs and a no-no

#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Homers, walk-offs and a no-no
OK, let's admit it. You weren't done watching baseball and fully expected the Nationals to be playing in the postseason deep into October. We get it. We're right there with you. And baseball withdrawal is a legit medical condition that deserves a lot more attention than it receives. Yes, you can tune to the National League Championship Series beginning on Friday. But that doesn't solve your Nationals fix, does it? Luckily, we can. Yes, it's time for another offseason of "Nationals...
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Ryan Sullivan: Nationals could face a painful choice this offseason

Ryan Sullivan: Nationals could face a painful choice this offseason
The last few games of this past week's homestand put a spotlight on the main storyline of the Nationals' offseason and one of the biggest in all of baseball: Which team will upcoming free agent Bryce Harper sign with this winter? The almost 26-year-old Harper will have, for the first time in his professional career, the opportunity to choose which team he plays for and he can potentially decide this for the duration of his career. Critics knock his mediocre defensive skills, but by any...
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Opposite dugout: A lot on line for Rockies in final regular season series

Opposite dugout: A lot on line for Rockies in final regular season series
Manager: Bud Black (2nd season) Record: 89-70 Last 10 games: 7-3 (update) Who to watch: 3B Nolan Arenado (.296/.374/.545 with 34 HR, 105 RBIs), SS Trevor Story (.291/.346/.562 with 35 HR, 105 RBIs, 26 SB), CF Charlie Blackmon (.287, 26 HR), 2B DJ LeMahieu (15 HR, 61 RBIs), 1B Ian Desmond (21 HR, 86 RBIs), RHP Kyle Freeland (16-7, 2.84 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (42 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-1 Pitching probables: Sept. 28: RHP Joe Ross (0-1) vs. LHP Kyle Freeland (16-7), 8:10 p.m., MASN2...
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Liz Barr: Anthony Rendon still has a lot to play for

Liz Barr: Anthony Rendon still has a lot to play for
On a team with stars such as Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Trea Turner and Juan Soto, sometimes it can be easy to forget about Anthony Rendon. And while it's probably what he wants, as the man famously will go to excessive lengths to avoid talking about himself and his accomplishments, we would be doing the world a great injustice if we let what he's done this season go away quietly without mention. Even as everyone has been ignoring him, Rendon has put together a stellar season. And even...
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Opposite dugout: Marlins arrive in D.C. on rare winning streak

Opposite dugout: Marlins arrive in D.C. on rare winning streak
Manager: Don Mattingly (3rd season) Record: 62-93 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: C J.T. Realmuto (21 HR, 73 RBIs), RF Brian Anderson (60 RBIs), SS JT Riddle (9 HR, 36 RBIs), LF Derek Dietrich (16 HR, 45 RBIs), RHP Kyle Barraclough (10 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-10 Pitching probables: Sept. 24: RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-1) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (9-7); 7:05 p.m., MASNSept. 25: RHP Jeff Brigham (0-3) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (17-7); 7:05 p.m., MASN2Sept. 26: LHP Wei-Yin Chen (6-11)...
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Ryan Sullivan: End of 2018 season looms large for Joe Ross, Nationals

Ryan Sullivan: End of 2018 season looms large for Joe Ross, Nationals
One of several reasons the 2018 Nationals have underachieved this season has been their lack of starting pitching depth. Washington suffered lengthy injuries to starters Stephen Strasburg and Jeremy Hellickson this season, and replacements Erick Fedde, Tommy Milone and Jefry Rodriguez could not adequately replace their performance. However, one could argue the Nationals' pitching depth began to feel strained in July 2017, when Joe Ross tore his ulnar collateral ligament and was forced to...
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Opposite dugout: Disappointing season draws to a close for the Mets

Opposite dugout: Disappointing season draws to a close for the Mets
Manager: Mickey Callaway (1st season) Record: 70-82 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Michael Conforto (26 HR, 121 hits); SS Amed Rosario (.260 with 133 hits, 21 SB); 1B Wilmer Flores (.267 with 11 HR, 51 RBIs); 3B Todd Frazier (84 hits, 58 RBIs); RHP Jacob deGrom (8-9, 1.78 ERA); LHP Steven Matz (5-11, 4.03 ERA); RHP Robert Gsellman (3.97 ERA, 11 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 8-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 20: LHP Jason Vargas (6-9) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (17-7); 7:05 p.m., MASNSept. 21:...
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Liz Barr: Bryce Harper finishing season on a strong note

Liz Barr: Bryce Harper finishing season on a strong note
Bryce Harper's 2018 season has been a roller coaster, to say the least. In a year many predicted to be off the charts due to his upcoming free agency, Harper has underperformed in the eyes of many. His numbers are not fantastic; they're nowhere near what he hit last season (.319/.413/.595) or what he hit in his 2015 MVP campaign (.330/.460/.649). But his season has not been all bad, and it's actually come around quite nicely, especially on the production end. Harper started the year...
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Marty Niland: Strong finish could set Nats up for future, as it did in 2011

Marty Niland: Strong finish could set Nats up for future, as it did in 2011
With wins in seven of their last nine games and three straight series victories under their belts, the Nationals seem determined to close out the 2018 season on a high note and set the tone for a winning 2019. It brings to mind the 2011 Nats season, when they won 14 of their last 17 games and eight of their last 10 to finish with their best record since 2005 at 80-81. Keep in mind that this was a team that had never finished with a winning record since moving to Washington and was a year...
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Opposite dugout: Fried fish playing out the string, trying to avoid 100 losses

Opposite dugout: Fried fish playing out the string, trying to avoid 100 losses
Manager: Don Mattingly (3rd season) Record: 58-91 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: C J.T. Realmulto (.282 with 21 HR, 71 RBIs), 2B Starlin Castro (.280), RF Brian Anderson (59 RBIs), LF Derek Dietrich (16 HR, 45 RBIs), RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-0, 1.42 ERA), RHP Kyle Barraclough (10 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-9 Pitching probables: Sept. 17: RHP Erick Fedde (2-3) vs. RHP Trevor Richards (3-9), 7:10 p.m., MASN Sept. 18: RHP Stephen Strasburg (8-7) vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-0), 7:10 p.m.,...
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Ryan Sullivan: Victor Robles flashes his offensive, defensive skills

Ryan Sullivan: Victor Robles flashes his offensive, defensive skills
Yesterday, the Nationals interrupted a road trip to play contest at Nationals Park against the Cubs rescheduled due to rain. At this point in the season, neither team likely wanted to make the trip, but it was one of the most entertaining and well-played games of the season. Unfortunately the Nationals were unable to come away with the victory, but a silver lining in this difficult loss was the play of rookie Victor Robles. Robles served as Washington's leadoff hitter and starting center...
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Opposite dugout: Braves boast formidable mix of youth and experience

Opposite dugout: Braves boast formidable mix of youth and experience
Manager: Brian Snitker (3rd season) Record: 82-64 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Ronald Acuña Jr. (25 HR, 14 SB), 1B Freddie Freeman (.307/.388/.500, 85 RBIs), RF Nick Markakis (.306/.371/.457, 88 RBIs), CF Ender Inciarte (25 SB), RHP Kevin Gausman (3.89 ERA), RHP Arodys Vizcaíno (15 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 9-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 14: RHP Max Scherzer (17-6) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (9-10), 7:35 p.m., MASN2Sept. 15: TBA vs. RHP Julio Teheran (9-7), 1:05 p.m., FOXSept....
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Opposite dugout: Cubs head back to D.C. for makeup with Central lead down to a game

Opposite dugout: Cubs head back to D.C. for makeup with Central lead down to a game
Manager: Joe Maddon (4th season) Record: 84-61 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B Javier Báez (.292 with 30 HR, 100 RBIs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (24 HR, 92 RBIs), 3B Kris Bryant (.277, 11 HR), RHP Pedro Strop (13 saves, 2.33 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-3 Pitching probables: Sept. 13: LHP Mike Montgomery (4-5) vs. RHP Joe Ross (0-0), 4:05 p.m., MASN2 Inside the Cubs: Joe Maddon's club is not happy about losing a scheduled off-day to play a makeup game in D.C. this afternoon. This means...
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Liz Barr: Wander Suero, Greg Holland have strengthened Nationals bullpen

Liz Barr: Wander Suero, Greg Holland have strengthened Nationals bullpen
In a season like the 2018 Nationals have been having, it's important to focus on individual accomplishments. Not a lot of the guys have been necessarily bad, per se, and many of them are actually having fantastic seasons. Nothing is clicking all on the same cylinders at the same time. While their record isn't what you want it to be, a number of guys can be proud of how their seasons turned out individually, and some of these players reside in the bullpen. A lot of people can get up in arms...
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Marty Niland: Dealing with disappointment is familiar territory for Nats fans

Marty Niland: Dealing with disappointment is familiar territory for Nats fans
The 2018 season is a huge disappointment to most Nationals fans, many of whom believed the team had the potential to win an unprecedented third straight National League East championship and finally win a postseason series. But is this really the most disappointing season the Nationals have been through since moving to Washington in 2005? It's certainly not the first letdown Nats fans have been through. There have been other seasons that have been at least this disappointing, and seasons in...
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Opposite dugout: Series against Nationals looms large for fading Phillies' playoff chances

Opposite dugout: Series against Nationals looms large for fading Phillies' playoff chances
Manager: Gabe Kapler (1st season) Record: 74-68 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (22 HR, 66 RBIs), CF Odúbel Herrera (21 HR, 65 RBIs), 2B César Hernández (.258), LF Rhys Hoskins (30 HR, 88 RBIs), RF Nick Williams (17 HR, 50 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (16-4, 2.29 ERA), RHP Seranthony Domínguez (14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 8-8 Pitching probables: Sept. 10: RHP Erick Fedde (1-3) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (10-9). 7:05 p.m., MASNSept. 11: RHP Tanner Roark (8-15)...
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