Mark Zuckerman

Revisiting our 2020 season predictions

October 01, 2020, 11:24am

The 2020 Major League Baseball season was, to put it mildly, unlike any we've ever experienced. We knew that going into it, and we knew that probably meant some unexpected things would happen along the way. That was especially true for the Nationals, whose season didn't go anything like anyone expected. For the most part. Despite the unusual nature of this year, we still published our annual Nats season predictions on opening day. And though we were horribly wrong about a lot of things, we...

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Will Nats try to acquire lineup protection for Soto?

September 30, 2020, 8:09pm

Nationals

Will Nats try to acquire lineup protection for Soto?

Despite appearing in only 47 of the Nationals' 60 games this season, Juan Soto reached base an astounding 96 times, fifth-most in the majors. Soto only scored 39 runs, however, which ranked 19th in baseball. That's still good. But not as good as it could've been. Soto was historically good at the plate in 2020, but the Nats didn't take full advantage of that fact. Why? Because they couldn't consistently put a top-notch hitter behind Soto in their lineup. Only 17 times this year did Howie...

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Nats' hopes for 2021 rebound start with their starters

September 29, 2020, 7:54pm

Nationals

Nats' hopes for 2021 rebound start with their starters

We can talk about injuries. We can look at offensive consistency. We can point to the bullpen or poor defensive fundamentals. All played a role in the Nationals' disappointing 2020 season. But there really is one reason above all others the Nats failed to make the playoffs this year. And it's the same reason they failed to make the playoffs in 2013, 2015 and 2018. To paraphrase a politician's simplified message from nearly three decades ago: It's the rotation, stupid. Of course, the biggest...

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Change is coming for Nationals, but how much?

September 28, 2020, 7:45pm

Nationals

The Nationals are going to undergo change this winter, of that there's no doubt. Nine prominent players (Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Eaton, Howie Kendrick, AsdrÃºbal Cabrera, AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez, Sean Doolittle, Kurt Suzuki, Eric Thames and Josh Harrison) will either become free agents or could become free agents if their options aren't picked up. Several others (most notably Michael A. Taylor and Roenis ElÃas) could be in danger of being non-tendered. They aren't all coming back, that much...

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After a joyless season, Nationals realize change is coming

September 27, 2020, 8:09pm

Nationals

From the moment the Nationals took the field on opening night, one thing was obvious: The 2020 season was going to be different. Really, really different. By the time it ended Sunday evening, perhaps some aspects of what took place out there were starting to feel normal. We got used to the sight of managers, coaches and umpires wearing masks. We got used to the sight of empty stands and the sounds of artificial crowd noise. We even got used to the designated hitter in National League games,...

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Nats blow out Mets in finale, Soto wins NL batting title (updated)

September 27, 2020, 2:42pm

Nationals

Nats blow out Mets in finale, Soto wins NL batting title (updated)

They took the field for the 60th and final time in 2020, an act many doubted would be possible back when this unprecedented baseball season began 10 weeks ago. Could they really complete a season, with regional travel, during a pandemic? There were some notable hiccups along the way, plenty of postponements, relocated road games and six doubleheaders. But today the Nationals did complete their 60-game slate, trouncing the Mets 15-5 to conclude a disappointing year on a small high note. At...

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Game 60 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

September 27, 2020, 9:02am

Nationals

No, the Nationals' season finale doesn't really mean anything in the big picture. They were eliminated from postseason contention earlier in the week. And the Mets were eliminated Saturday, so they don't have anything to play for, either. But there are still a few things of note at stake when the two teams take the field today for the final time in 2020. The Nationals enter at 25-34, the Mets at 26-33. So if the Nats win, they'd end up tied for fourth place in the National League East. (And...

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Stevenson's September surge is hard to ignore

September 26, 2020, 9:30pm

Nationals

Stevenson's September surge is hard to ignore

There is no month on the baseball calendar more misleading than September. It happens every year: Somebody puts up big numbers during the season's final month, convinces everyone he's going to pick up where he left off the following spring and then never duplicates the feat. So take these stats with a healthy grain of salt, because it's probably foolish to assume they will carry over into 2021. Here goes: Andrew Stevenson is batting .351 with a .415 on-base percentage and 1.117 OPS that...

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SÃ¡nchez leads Nats to twinbill sweep in final start (updated)

September 26, 2020, 5:07pm

Nationals

SÃ¡nchez leads Nats to twinbill sweep in final start (updated)

AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez will forever be linked with the Nationals' 2019 title, not simply for his pitching performance but for the role he played in bringing the joy out of his teammates during a championship season that was as much a product of clubhouse chemistry as it was pure talent. Given the unprecedented circumstances of the 2020 season, it was tough for SÃ¡nchez and Co. to have the kind of fun they did a year ago. And as he and his team struggled through the first large chunk of the...

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Game 59 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

September 26, 2020, 2:12pm

Nationals

The Nationals are about to complete their sixth doubleheader of the season. That's a lot of twinbills in a normal year, let alone a 60-game season. And they've done just fine on these long days of baseball. They entered today with one sweep and four splits. And after taking the opener from the Mets 4-3, they have a shot at another sweep and at worst another split. All things considered, that's not bad. AnÃbal SÃ¡nchez makes his final start of the season, and potentially his final start...

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At long last, Nats choose continuity in manager's office

September 26, 2020, 10:26am

Nationals

At long last, Nats choose continuity in manager's office

For a decade and a half, the Nationals tried in vain to establish continuity in their manager's office. But every two or three years, they found themselves searching for a new leader, vacillating between those with significant experience (Frank Robinson, Jim Riggleman, Davey Johnson, Dusty Baker) and those who were trying to make a name for themselves (Manny Acta, Matt Williams, Davey Martinez). In Martinez, they finally found the man they believe deserves to be here for the long haul. And...

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Kendrick weighing decision whether to return or retire

September 25, 2020, 7:40pm

Nationals

Kendrick weighing decision whether to return or retire

He hadn't revealed this publicly before, but Howie Kendrick admitted Friday he fully intended to retire after the 2020 season. After a well-deserved victory lap on the heels of his World Series-winning home run, what more could the 37-year-old have needed to do on a baseball field? The time would've been right to say goodbye to the sport, head home to Arizona and enjoy life with his family. That was the plan. Before the pandemic. Before the shortened season. And before a nagging hamstring...

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Mets-Nats postponed, will play doubleheader Saturday

September 25, 2020, 1:59pm

Nationals

Mets-Nats postponed, will play doubleheader Saturday

The Nationals' scheduled game tonight against the Mets has been postponed due to rain that is forecast to fall throughout the evening and continue into Saturday morning. The two teams are now scheduled to play a doubleheader, each game lasting seven innings, on Saturday beginning at 3:05 p.m. The Mets remain mathematically alive for the final wild card berth in the National League, and though they could be eliminated later tonight based on the results of other games, Major League Baseball will...

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Nats in agreement with Martinez on contract extension

September 25, 2020, 11:27am

Nationals

Nats in agreement with Martinez on contract extension

For the first time since they arrived in town a decade and a half ago, the Nationals know they have a manager for the long haul. The organization and Davey Martinez agreed to a contract extension today, ensuring the manager who guided the franchise to its first World Series title in 2019 will remain in his position beyond 2021 and become the longest-tenured skipper in club history. The deal has not been officially finalized yet, according to a source familiar with the discussions, but an...

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Game 58 lineups: Nats vs. Mets

September 25, 2020, 10:57am

Nationals

This hasn't been the season Max Scherzer or the Nationals envisioned. All they can do now is try to finish strong and head into the winter with something of a positive taste left in their mouths. For Scherzer, the final opportunity to do that comes tonight against the Mets. Though his overall numbers (4-4, 3.67 ERA, 1.386 WHIP) are not up to his usual standards, Scherzer has pitched pretty well over the second half of this season. In his last five starts, he has a 3.00 ERA and 41 strikeouts...

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Will time missed cost Soto shot at NL MVP?

September 23, 2020, 9:47pm

Nationals

Will time missed cost Soto shot at NL MVP?

The Nationals have never had a batting champion since arriving in D.C. in 2005. They've had one player lead the National League in OPS. With four days to go in the 2020 season, they might just wind up with their first player who did both. Thanks to a strong couple of games to wrap up their just-completed series with the Phillies, Juan Soto heads into the season's final series against the Mets leading the NL in a host of offensive categories. Soto is batting .352, tops in the NL. His.486...

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Blowout loss to Phillies, Giants win eliminate Nats (updated)

September 23, 2020, 4:54pm

Nationals

Blowout loss to Phillies, Giants win eliminate Nats (updated)

Nobody has repeated as World Series champions in two decades. Suffice it to say, it's a huge challenge trying to go back-to-back under normal circumstances. And the 2020 season has been the most abnormal season of our lives. We've accepted for some time the Nationals would not be repeating this year. Injuries, poor performances, a lack of depth and the understandable diminished motivation that was part of this season all came together to produce a disappointing, losing record. Yet when they...

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Kieboom's disappointing season ends with stint on IL

September 23, 2020, 2:26pm

Nationals

Kieboom's disappointing season ends with stint on IL

Despite hopes of a return before the season ends Sunday, Carter Kieboom's hand injury proved too severe to take the chance, so the Nationals placed their rookie third baseman on the 10-day injured list this afternoon. Kieboom officially has a left wrist contusion after getting hit by a pitch from Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler during the sixth inning Monday night at Nationals Park. X-rays were negative, showing no fracture, but Kieboom's hand was swollen and he immediately departed the...

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Game 56 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies (updated)

September 23, 2020, 11:11am

Nationals

Game 56 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies (updated)

The Nationals opened this bizarre season 0-6 against the Phillies. Who'd have thought they'd have a chance to finish 4-6 against their division rivals? A win tonight would complete a four-game sweep, deal Philadelphia another blow to its postseason chances and keep the Nats' minuscule chances alive for another day. A loss tonight doesn't automatically eliminate the Nationals. One of the Cardinals, Brewers or Giants would also need to win, raising their season win total to 28 (which the Nats...

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More to ponder after a wild doubleheader sweep

September 22, 2020, 9:53pm

Nationals

More to ponder after a wild doubleheader sweep

Some more things to ponder after a long, wild, ultimately successful Tuesday afternoon and evening at the ballpark ... * Yadiel HernÃ¡ndez's walk-off homer won it for the Nationals, but some unheralded bullpen work earlier made it possible in the first place. Even though he got a complete game from Austin Voth in the doubleheader opener, manager Davey Martinez said he was working with a depleted relief corps in the nightcap. Will Harris was unavailable after pitching Sunday and Monday. Kyle...