Ryan Sullivan: Remainder of season looms large for Wilmer Difo

Ryan Sullivan: Remainder of season looms large for Wilmer Difo
The Nationals have 21 games left in a difficult season filled with injuries, poor play and the departure of several popular players. This has left many in NatsTown pondering on social media about why they should continue to watch games down the stretch. The obvious answer is that baseball is awesome and once the final pitch is thrown, we must anxiously wait like a dog for its owner to return home for pitchers and catchers to report next February. And with all due respect to my Caps brethren...
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Opposite dugout: Cubs continuing roll toward another NL Central crown

Opposite dugout: Cubs continuing roll toward another NL Central crown
Manager: Joe Maddon (4th season) Record: 82-57 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B Javier Báez (.297 with 30 HR, 100 RBIs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (24 HR, 90 RBIs), 3B Kris Bryant (.277, 11 HR), LF Kyle Schwarber (24 HR, 57 RBIs), LHP Jon Lester (15-5, 3.53 ERA), LHP Cole Hamels (4-0, 1.00), RHP Pedro Strop (11 saves, 2.45 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Sept. 6: RHP Kyle Hendricks (11-10) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (7-7), 7:05 p.m., MASN Sept. 7: LHP Jon Lester (15-5) vs....
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Liz Barr: Soto, Robles offer a glimpse of Nationals' future

Liz Barr: Soto, Robles offer a glimpse of Nationals' future
At the beginning of the year, everyone anticipated Victor Robles to be a quick call-up; he was going to be the young face of the future that made his mark this season, digging out a role in the outfield and being an important piece for the Nationals off the bench or perhaps in some kind of starting role. That wasn't the case. Robles suffered a freak injury on his elbow at the beginning of April that forced him onto the disabled list until deep into the summer. Instead, it was Juan Soto,...
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Opposite dugout: Red-hot Cardinals aim to continue playoff push

Opposite dugout: Red-hot Cardinals aim to continue playoff push
Manager: Mike Shildt (1st season) Record: 76-61 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: IF Matt Carpenter (.273 with 35 HR, 73 RBIs); 1B José Martínez (.310 with 77 RBIs, 139 hits); C Yadier Molina (.271 with 108 hits); LF Marcell Ozuna (.273 with 133 hits); RHP Miles Mikolas (13-4, 2.96 ERA); RHP Jack Flaherty (8-6, 2.87 ERA); RHP Bud Norris (2.85 ERA, 28 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-1 Pitching probables: Sept. 3: RHP Jack Flaherty (8-6) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (16-6), 1:05 p.m.,...
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Ryan Sullivan: Thinking about some under-the-radar Nats prospects

Ryan Sullivan: Thinking about some under-the-radar Nats prospects
Earlier this week, I was driving by a Bob Evans restaurant and noticed in the window a large sticker with the words "Down on the Farm." Not only did this display get me hungry and wishing I was wearing my fat pants, it got me thinking about the Nationals farm system and some under-the-radar prospects in the organization. In this space, I have discussed young players like Juan Soto, Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia this season, among others. But in the spirit of looking ahead toward next year,...
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Opposite dugout: Brewers trying to make room in crowded playoff race

Opposite dugout: Brewers trying to make room in crowded playoff race
Manager: Craig Counsell (4th season) Record: 75-60 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Jesús Aguilar (.277 with 30 HR, 92 RBIs); 3B Travis Shaw (26 HR, 74 RBIs); CF Lorenzo Cain (.309 with 136 hits, 24 SB); OF Christian Yelich (.319 with 151 hits, 75 RBIs); RHP Jhoulys Chacín (13-5, 3.61 ERA); RHP Chase Anderson (9-7, 4.04 ERA); LHP Josh Hader (2.05 ERA, 10 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 31: RHP Jhoulys Chacín (13-5) vs. RHP Tanner Roark (8-13); 7:05...
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Liz Barr: Strong defense has been consistent for Nationals

Liz Barr: Strong defense has been consistent for Nationals
To say that this season has been a roller coaster for the Nationals would be an understatement. They've struggled to find consistency. Sometimes they score double-digit runs and sometimes they get shut out multiple games in a row. Finding rhythm has been difficult. The pitching has been up and down, the offense has been up and down. But there's one thing the Nationals have been very consistent at all year, something they've done very well all year long: defense. Sure, they're going to have...
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Opposite dugout: Phillies firmly in NL East and wild card races

Opposite dugout: Phillies firmly in NL East and wild card races
Manager: Gabe Kapler (1st season) Record: 70-60 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (22 HR, 66 RBIs), CF Odúbel Herrera (20 HR, 64 RBIs), 2B César Hernández (.259), LF Rhys Hoskins (26 HR, 81 RBIs), RF Nick Williams (17 HR, 49 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (15-3, 2.13 ERA), RHP Seranthony Domínguez (14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 7-6 Pitching probables: Aug. 27: RHP Stephen Strasburg (6-7) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (9-4), 7:05 p.m., MASN2Aug. 28: RHP Max Scherzer (16-6)...
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Marty Niland: Nationals end streak of futility before hitting record books

Marty Niland: Nationals end streak of futility before hitting record books
The only thing consistent about the 2018 Nationals has been their inconsistency. It was on full display in last weekend's series against the Mets, which saw them end a 32-inning scoreless skid in Sunday's 15-0 rout. The scoring drought was miserable, but it could have been worse. Juan Soto's sixth-inning grounder to score Trea Turner stemmed the streak before it could grow long enough for the record books or the longest runs of futility by Washington teams. The major league record for...
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Ryan Sullivan: What will Nationals lineup look like in 2019?

Ryan Sullivan: What will Nationals lineup look like in 2019?
Earlier this week, the Nationals traded Matt Adams to the Cardinals and Daniel Murphy to the Cubs, the first legitimate signs Washington had essentially conceded its playoff chances this season. These two deals netted an intriguing prospect in Andruw Monasterio, while hopefully trimming payroll below the luxury tax figure, both positives for the future. Also, it will give players like Wilmer Difo significant playing time in September to earn spots for next season. But this left me speculating...
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Liz Barr: Can Juan Soto win NL Rookie of the Year?

Liz Barr: Can Juan Soto win NL Rookie of the Year?
Let's think about awards, shall we? Individual awards are the main things going for Nationals for the rest of the season, and individual accomplishment cannot be overlooked, no matter what the team is doing. Now the question that's been on everyone's mind for the past few months: Can Juan Soto win National League Rookie of the Year? The automatic thought is yes, he can. For the longest time, Soto appeared to be a shoe-in for Rookie of the Year. He was tearing up the league like no one else,...
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Opposite dugout: Mets picking up pieces with eye toward 2019

Opposite dugout: Mets picking up pieces with eye toward 2019
Manager: Mickey Callaway (1st season) Record: 56-71 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Michael Conforto (18 HR, 51 RBIs), 3B Todd Frazier (14 HR, 46 RBIs), 1B Wilmer Flores (.278/.332/.447 with 47 RBIs), SS Amed Rosario (6 3B, 14 SB), RHP Zack Wheeler (3.63 ERA), RHP Robert Gsellman (7 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-6 Pitching probables: Aug. 24: LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-10) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (3-8), 7:10 p.m., MASN2Aug. 25: RHP Tanner Roark (8-12) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (8-6), 4:05 p.m.,...
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Opposite dugout: Series with Nats looms large over Phillies' playoff chances

Opposite dugout: Series with Nats looms large over Phillies' playoff chances
Manager: Gabe Kapler (1st season) Record: 68-56 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (.281 with 20 HR, 61 RBIs), CF Odúbel Herrera (10 HR, 62 RBIs), LF Rhys Hoskins (25 HR, 77 RBIs), 1B Carlos Santana (18 HR, 69 RBIs), RHP Zach Eflin (9-4, 3.70 ERA), RHP Aaron Nola (14-3, 3.24 ERA), RHP Seranthony Domínguez (14 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 6-4 Pitching probables: Aug. 21: RHP Vince Velasquez (8-9) vs. RHP Tanner Roark (8-12), 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 22: RHP Zach Eflin...
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Marty Niland: Ramos deserves a hearty "horns up" from Nats fans this week

Marty Niland: Ramos deserves a hearty "horns up" from Nats fans this week
When Nationals Park is filled with hometown fans, there's no love lost crowd for opposing players, especially on a division rival like Philadelphia. However, when the Phillies play in Washington this week, even the most diehard Nationals partisans should give a hearty cheer and a "horns up" for the newest Phillie, catcher Wilson Ramos. Nats fans remember watching Ramos mature from a promising rookie into the game's top-hitting catcher from 2011-2016 as he helped the team blossom from an...
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Ryan Sullivan: Hitching a ride on a fun idea

Ryan Sullivan: Hitching a ride on a fun idea
Somewhat lost amid this difficult road trip for the Nationals, the team announced via press release Thursday that they will debut the WGL Energy bullpen cart during Friday's game against Miami. This bullpen cart will be at all remaining 2018 home games, with both home and visiting pitchers able to use the cart to drive them from the bullpen to their dugout. Originally introduced in 1950 by the Indians, bullpen carts were popular attractions at baseball games throughout the 1960s and 1970s....
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Opposite dugout: Marlins bullpen taxed after Ureña's antics lead to ejection, suspension

Opposite dugout: Marlins bullpen taxed after Ureña's antics lead to ejection, suspension
Manager: Don Mattingly (3rd season) Record: 48-75 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: C J.T. Realmuto (.293), 2B Starlin Castro (.281), RF Brian Anderson (54 RBIs), SS Miguel Rojas (9 HR, 44 RBIs), RHP Drew Steckenrider (1 save) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-8 Pitching probables: Aug. 17: RHP Dan Straily (4-5) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (15-5), 7:05 p.m., MASN2Aug. 18: LHP Wei-Yin Chen (4-9) vs. LHP Tommy Milone (1-1), 7:05 p.m., MASN2Aug. 19: LHP Pablo López (2-3) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-9), 1:35...
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Liz Barr: Franchise leaderboards are Zimmerman's domain

Liz Barr: Franchise leaderboards are Zimmerman's domain
Ryan Zimmerman has been the face of the Nationals since their inaugural year in 2005. You can't say the name without thinking about Zimmerman in some way, shape or form. Whether it be as a fresh-faced young third baseman, a Rookie of the Year runner-up, a Silver Slugger and Gold Glover, the humanitarian, the seasoned vet or the king of walk-offs, Zimmerman's fingerprints are all over this team. And his greatness on the field isn't just contained to Washington history, but it stretches over...
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Marty Niland: Nats' historic run of winning seasons is at risk

Marty Niland: Nats' historic run of winning seasons is at risk
Sunday night's walk-off loss to the Cubs might have been a crushing moment for the Nationals and their fans, a potential gut punch to the season and possibly a way of baseball life that fans may have taken for granted. By surrendering a two-out, two-strike grand slam in the bottom of the ninth, a team that's already on the fringe of the postseason race found another way to lose and is now just two games over .500 at 60-58. At risk over the rest of the season are not only back-to-back division...
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Opposite dugout: Surging Cardinals have sights set on postseason spot

Opposite dugout: Surging Cardinals have sights set on postseason spot
Manager: Mike Shildt (1st season) Record: 63-55 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: 3B Matt Carpenter (.277 \ with 32 HR, 65 RBIs); C Yadier Molina (.290 \ with 53 RBIs, 95 hits); 1B José Martínez (.299 with 114 hits); LF Marcell Ozuna (.272 with 122 hits, 62 RBIs); RHP Miles Mikolas (12-3, 2.74 ERA); RHP Jack Flaherty (6-6, 3.22 ERA); RHP Bud Norris (2.85 ERA, 22 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-3 in 2017) Pitching probables: Aug. 13: LHP Tommy Milone (1-1) vs. RHP...
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Ryan Sullivan: A night to remember in the MASN broadcast booth

Ryan Sullivan: A night to remember in the MASN broadcast booth
On Wednesday evening, I was fortunate enough to spend my birthday attending the Nationals game and to sit with Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo in the MASN broadcast booth from the second through the fifth innings. You might assume my lofty position as a MASNsports.com guest blogger was my ticket to this invitation, but actually, several months back at the Nats Clubhouse Social event, I was the lucky winner of this opportunity as a raffle prize. As a diehard baseball fan that has spent a bit...
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