The Home for Washington Nationals Game Talk

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 →

Nats stock photo of Wil Crowe

These seven inning doubleheaders are great when your starter goes deep in the first game of the doubleheader, and mission accomplished by Erick Fedde who threw a 6.0 inning one-hit shutout that Will Harris finished up for a 5-0 win. Now it is Wil Crowe’s turn to pitch a gem.  Continue reading →

Andrew Stevenson takes over for Yadiel Hernandez who kind of took over for Adam Eaton who was placed on the 10-day IL; Photo by Craig Nedrow for TalkNats

When you get a opportunity like Yadiel Hernandez, the opportunity might only last seven plate appearances. The same way Jake Noll got only three chances and smoked two singles. General Manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez want to see who takes advantage of the opportunities, and Noll stays and Yadiel Hernandez is back to the minor league camp and replaced by Andrew Stevenson. The 29th man for today’s doubleheader is Wil Crowe who will start game 2 of the doubleheader tonight. The first game will be started by Erick Fedde who has to show he belongs on next year’s opening day roster. Continue reading →

History.  Baseball history. You would have to count back 10 years, 1 month, and 9 days for the last time the Nationals have been exactly at 13-games under .500. They hope to avoid that happening today as the 17-29 Washington Nationals are once again a dozen games under .500 like they were a dozen days ago — and of course on the morning of May 24, 2019. But 13-games under, they have not been at since August 7, 2010. The night before, John Lannan beat a young Clayton Kershaw and Drew Storen got the save. Adam Dunn cranked two 3-run home runs against Kershaw in that game. Kershaw’s career at that point in his third season pushed him to 23-20 for his career, and now he looks like a lock as a Hall-of-Famer. Ten years makes a difference. Juan Soto was 11 years old and still playing sandlot baseball. Things have a funny way of working out counting forward 319,075,200 seconds from that point forward.

Sure, those Nats finished that 2010 season at an abysmal 69-93 and that poor finish netted the team Anthony Rendon in the 2011 amateur draft with the 6th overall pick. The silver linings of “suckitude” are high draft picks! Just remember that when you are upset by the Nats current slide. Continue reading →

Strikeout by Anibal Sanchez; Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats

We have baseball tonight, even though the Nationals are closing in on being eliminated. Sure, the team is still mathematically alive and would need a miracle finish at 14-1 in the final fifteen games for a chance. Yes, there is still a chance Lloyd. Realistically some fans are watching to get a glimpse of the rookies, and while you will get to see Luis Garcia and Carter Kieboom — there is no telling if Jake Noll and Yadiel Hernandez will get into this game. In fact, Noll could be gone quickly as he was activated when Brock Holt went on paternity leave as that was how Noll was added to the roster yesterday. Paternity leave is a maximum of three games.  Continue reading →