Giants-Nationals lineups for Game 2 of NLDS

Giants-Nationals lineups for Game 2 of NLDS
The only thing that's changed in the Nationals starting lineup for Game 2 of the National League Series against the Giants is the starting pitcher. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, coming off the team's first no-hiter since arriving in D.C. from Montreal for the 2005 season, takes the hill to try to square the NLDS at one game apiece. The Giants are going with the same batting order they trotted out in their Game 1 victory, save for starting pitcher Tim Hudson. For the GiantsCF Gregor Blanco2B...
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LaRoche's advice to mates facing Hudson: Get to him early

LaRoche's advice to mates facing Hudson: Get to him early
There are few guarantees in life. Among them are death, taxes, poor life choices by Miley Cyrus and the fact that Giants right-hander Tim Hudson usually has his way with the Nationals. The 39-year-old Hudson has practically enjoyed a stellar season's worth of stats against the guys with curly Ws on their cap over his 16 big league seasons. He's 18-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 31 career starts versus the Nats. At Nationals Park, he's gone 6-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 10 games. He even dominated the Nats in...
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Desmond can't hide disappointment after difficult day

Desmond can't hide disappointment after difficult day
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond couldn't hide the disappointment. Losing the first game of the best-of-five National League Division Series was one thing, but twice failing to come through with runners in scoring position and striking out on both occasions obviously left a bad taste in his mouth. "We were in it the whole way," he said after the Nats' 3-2 loss in Game 1 of the NLDS at Nationals Park. "We battled back. It just wasn't enough today." The Nationals may have rebounded from a...
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NLDS notebook: Williams on Zimmerman, Porter gets new gig, Morse sits, Hudson retreats

NLDS notebook: Williams on Zimmerman, Porter gets new gig, Morse sits, Hudson retreats
Reading between the lines of Nationals manager Matt Williams' comments in his media session this morning, Ryan Zimmerman could be pointing toward a start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series when the Giants start left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Zimmerman said yesterday that he is comfortable coming off the bench, and that will be his role today in Game 1. Williams opted to start Anthony Rendon at third base and Bryce Harper in left field, so Zimmerman will be a bat in reserve. But...
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Nationals set NLDS roster

Nationals set NLDS roster
The Washington Nationals today announced their 25-man roster for the 2014 NLDS against the San Francisco Giants. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Washington's roster will consist of 12 pitchers (three left-handed pitchers, nine right-handed pitchers) and 13 position players (two catchers, seven infielders, four outfielders): Pitchers LHP Jerry Blevins LHP Gio Gonzalez LHP Matt Thornton RHP Aaron Barrett RHP Tyler Clippard RHP...
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Bochy on Nats: "They really don't have a weakness" (with Morse update)

Bochy on Nats: "They really don't have a weakness" (with Morse update)
Giants manager Bruce Bochy had nothing but compliments for the Nationals in his Thursday afternoon media session. But that's what you'd expect from a wise veteran manager who is more interested in preparing his club for the National League Division Series than lighting a fire under the opposition. "They have the best record in the National League," Bochy said of the Nats. "You know, they have such a balanced club, starting pitching, bullpen, their lineup. You know, they have been tough on...
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NLDS notebook: Hearing from Ramos, Zimmerman and Williams

NLDS notebook: Hearing from Ramos, Zimmerman and Williams
Wilson Ramos may play in his first postseason game tomorrow, and could catch right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who will be making his playoff debut in the opening game of the best-of-five National League Division Series. October inexperience aside, Ramos had an interesting response when he was asked this afternoon whether Strasburg was mature enough the the marquee assignment. "That's a good question, because it's not easy starting the first game of the playoffs," said Ramos, who missed the...
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Desmond named Nationals' nominee for 2014 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet

Desmond named Nationals' nominee for 2014 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet
Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of MLB, announced that Ian Desmond was named the Washington Nationals' 2014 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Desmond is one of the 30 Club finalists for the annual Award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. During the pregame ceremony...
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Hungry puppy almost makes a meal out of O's playoff tickets

Hungry puppy almost makes a meal out of O's playoff tickets
Like many Orioles fans, Karl Breslaw had today's date circled on his calendar. He was awaiting the delivery of his postseason tickets, coveted ducats that would allow him to view his beloved Birds in the American League Division Series, maybe the American League Championship Series and, hopefully, their first World Series since 1983. There's only one problem: Breslaw briefly ignored the sound of the package being tossed onto his porch by a FedEx driver. And there were almost disastrous...
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Is Soriano pitching himself off the playoff roster?

Is Soriano pitching himself off the playoff roster?
Is deposed Nationals closer Rafael Soriano pitching himself off the playoff roster for the National League Division Series? Two weeks ago, when Soriano was removed from ninth-inning duties after a terrible stretch since the All-Star break, I'd have told you no (in fact, I wrote that in response to several regular commenters on our blogs). The reasons were simple: Soriano had a track record, the Nationals are a veteran-laden club and first-year manager Matt Williams is a players' skipper who...
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Clubhouse chatter after Nats finish 9-2 road trip with 2-1 win

Clubhouse chatter after Nats finish 9-2 road trip with 2-1 win
There were a few tense minutes while Marlins hitters were crushing balls with authority in the ninth inning, but Rafael Soriano worked his way around a leadoff pinch-hit double by Reed Johnson and finished off a 2-1 Nationals win Sunday afternoon with his 32nd save. The Nats end their final regular season road trip with a 9-2 record and have upped the win count to 91. Not too shabby. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg worked seven shutout innings today, picking up his 13th win. He had to deal with...
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Strasburg exits in seventh with 2-0 lead (Nats win 2-1)

Strasburg exits in seventh with 2-0 lead (Nats win 2-1)
We're through three innings of scoreless baseball at Marlins Park. Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg has looked strong, even though he's battled an inconsistent strike zone by home plate umpire Paul Schrieber. Strasburg has allowed one hit, walked two, struck out three and benefited from a pair of double plays. The Nats have three singles off right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, who has walked none and fanned three. Update: Finally, a run ... make that a pair. Jose Lobaton led off the fifth with a...
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Williams says Zimmerman will play left first, then move to first and third bases

Williams says Zimmerman will play left first, then move to first and third bases
Nationals manager Matt Williams says Ryan Zimmerman will start in left field, then move on to first base and third base sometime next week as he resumes meaningful games for the first time since July 22, when a right hamstring injury sent him to the disabled list for 55 games. The goal: to get Zimmerman back up to speed over the regular season's final nine games, especially at the plate, so that he will be able to contribute during the postseason. Williams chose left field as Zimmerman's...
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Zimmerman is back, ready to contribute to stretch drive

Zimmerman is back, ready to contribute to stretch drive
Ryan Zimmerman is back from the disabled list after missing 55 games with a right hamstring strain. He's ready to do whatever he can to contribute to the Nationals over the last nine days of the regular season. What, exactly, that will be remains to be seen. "I won't be 100 percent until next year, but I'm good enough, I think, to contribute," he told reporters at Marlins Stadium on Saturday afternoon. "It's nice of them to clinch the division so early. Obviously, winning games is so...
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LaRoche's 25th homer gives Nats early 2-0 lead (Nats win 3-2)

LaRoche's 25th homer gives Nats early 2-0 lead (Nats win 3-2)
Adam LaRoche has his 25th home run of the season and the Nationals have a 2-0 first-inning lead over the Marlins. Jayson Werth drew a two-out walk off Miami righty Tom Koehler and LaRoche crushed a 3-2 fastball into the upper deck in right field. Ian Desmond then tripled, but was stranded at third when Bryce Harper skied out to right. MASN cameras showed Ryan Zimmerman in the Nationals dugout in the first inning, proof that he's arrived from fall instructional league in Viera, Fla., and is...
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Zimmerman heading to Miami, could be activated Saturday

Zimmerman heading to Miami, could be activated Saturday
Ryan Zimmerman cleared another hurdle today playing in the fall instructional league in Viera, Fla. He played seven innings in left field, got eight at-bats and hit a home run. The report was so positive that the Nationals will have Zimmerman, who has been on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring since July 23, scrap the planned final day of his rehabilitation in Florida and instead rejoin the major league team in Miami. He could be activated as soon as tomorrow, manager Matt...
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O's music video pledge: "We Won't Stop"

O's music video pledge: "We Won't Stop"
Ever since its debut on the Diamond Vision scoreboard at Camden Yards on Friday, we've gotten a lot of requests for the "We Won't Stop" music video, the Orioles' thank you to their faithful fans that also serves as the team's anthem heading into the postseason. You've asked repeatedly for it. On Twitter. In the comments sections of our blogs. During our Facebook chats. During the wild celebration after Tuesday night's clincher, more than a few fans asked me when we'd be posting the...
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Statement from managing principal owner Ted Lerner on Nationals clinching NL East

Statement from managing principal owner Ted Lerner on Nationals clinching NL East
The Washington Nationals released the following statement this evening after clinching the NL East Division Championship: "We are so proud of this organization," said Ted Lerner, Managing Principal Owner of the Washington Nationals. "Watching them clinch their second NL East Division Championship in three years means so much to our fans, our city and our family. Mike Rizzo and Matt Williams should be commended for building and leading a championship club. Tonight, we celebrate this...
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Span stakes Nats to 1-0 lead in third (Nats survive scare for 4-2 win)

Span stakes Nats to 1-0 lead in third (Nats survive scare for 4-2 win)
The Nationals have drawn first blood in tonight's game against the Braves. In the third, Wilson Ramos drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sac bunt by Stephen Strasburg and scored on Denard Span's two-out double to right. It's 1-0 Nationals heading to the bottom of the third. Update: Left fielder Bryce Harper is out of the game in the top of the fourth. Nate Schierholtz came on as a pinch-hitter and fanned for the inning's final out. Schierholtz has also taken over in left. No word yet...
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Zimmerman arrives in Viera, LaRoche reacts to being named award finalist

Zimmerman arrives in Viera, LaRoche reacts to being named award finalist
Ryan Zimmerman has reported to the Nationals' fall instructional league camp in Viera, Fla., and was scheduled to undergo a full workout today. The next step in Zimmerman's rehabilitation from the right hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since July 23 will be three innings in the field in a simulated game Tuesday. Because instructional league games have not begun, the Nationals will schedule simulated contests to accommodate Zimmerman until fall play begins. For starters, Zimmerman...
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