The Home for Washington Nationals Game Talk

Austin Voth sign; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats

The Nats pitched Austin Voth in the first game of today’s doubleheader against Aaron Nola. With the Nats as deep underdogs, it was Voth who threw the complete game gem in the abbreviated 7.0 inning game in which the Nats went wire to wire with a 5-1 victory. Continue reading →

Andrew Stevenson gets another start; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats

The Washington Nationals have never been subjected to three doubleheaders in five days, but many of them played those in travel tournaments in their youth. One thing the MLB schedulers did not do was plan enough open days on the calendar just in case there were postponements. The Nationals were once again out of “spot” pitchers as both Wil Crowe and Ben Braymer have pitched in the last two doubleheaders, and Crowe pitched just 4 days ago and will be available out of the bullpen at the 29th man for this doubleheader.

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Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats

Even in what has been a stressful and somewhat of an underachieving season for the Washington Nationals, there are many bright spots. As the sample sizes become full season stats in this 60-game season, it is evident that Juan Soto is among the best players in the Majors and Trea Turner is not far behind him. Luis Garcia is batting .318 and playing a premium position at second place, and in a group of the best rookies this season.

While Soto, Turner, and Garcia won’t win the main awards because they are playing for a losing team, they are bright spots in this dismal season. Soto leads the Majors in OPS and leads the NL in batting average and Turner is not too far behind him. Garcia is 20 and in comparison to Alec Bohm who is 24, and Jake Cronenworth who is 26, there is no comparison that Garcia is playing better ball at his age than either of them were at the same point in their lives. Continue reading →

Nats stock photo

When you get an opportunity, take advantage as they say. Ben Braymer gets the start in this second game of the doubleheader giving him a chance to show that he belongs.

The first game of this doubleheader was as good as advertised with Max Scherzer and Sandy Alcantara pitching to their spots all game. It was Scherzer who was victimized for two unearned runs leading to the loss. Continue reading →

(Photo by Steve Mears for TalkNats)

We have one week of baseball remaining for Nats fans and ten games to play with doubleheaders for today and again on Tuesday. There is no rest for the weary although the Nats will get plenty of rest after next weekend as their winter will start much earlier than expected.  The 19-31 Nats won’t pull off the miracle of 2019 in this 60-game sprint.  Continue reading →

Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats

In a sixty game season, a 19-30 record is much different in overall impact than it would have in a 162 games season. We saw it last year, and we are seeing that again this year. This is not May 23, 2019 all over again. The Nats odds of making the postseason is closer to 0% than 1% according to Fangraphs.

Even if the Nats won the remaining eleven games in this season, it could take other teams to lose to have a chance. The Nats opponent tonight, the Miami Marlins, control their own destiny if they win the rest of their games —they will be in the playoffs. The Nats know that feeling. The have been there before and popped the champagne after clinches. Continue reading →