The Home for Washington Nationals Game Talk

Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats

For the last three weeks, there are not two hotter teams than the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves. These two teams will square off in a three game weekend series in Washington, D.C. The Nationals already beat the Braves in Atlanta to sweep a two-game series at the end of May. The Braves timed it to call-up their newest signing, Dallas Keuchel, to pitch in his Braves’ debut tonight against Stephen Strasburg. With the rainouts, the Nationals entire rotation will slot differently this weekend, and Anibal Sanchez will pitch tomorrow and most likely Joe Ross will be activated to join the roster. The back of the Nationals bullpen has pitched the last two days, and the only fresh arms are Trevor Rosenthal and Tony Sipp. With 7 ½ games separating the Nationals and Braves in the standings, this is crucial for the Nationals to make up some ground this weekend on their home turf. Continue reading →

Photo by Marlene Koenig for TalkNats

On May 23rd of this season, it looked bleak for the Washington Nationals for 2019 — but since then, the team has won 16-of-23 games and is nearing a return to relevancy. It is fine to allow yourself to find some optimism in what you have seen the last four weeks. Tonight and this weekend continues what the Nationals needed to make a run and chip away at their deficit in the NL East. Last night, the Nationals moved into sole possession of third place which is a stepping stone to where the team needs to be over the next 89 games. The Nats are still 3-games under .500, and to fully overtake the Phillies and Braves, the Nationals will need to climb above that .500 mark. Continue reading →

There are plenty of athletes who have played games with broken noses and broken bones in the face. Many remember basketball player Rick Hamilton who wore a mask, and Kobe Bryant did the same as both protected broken bones, and then there was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who broke his nose in the game and kept playing. As far as a baseball player breaking his nose, and playing the next game — we give you Max Scherzer who is scheduled to pitch tonight after breaking his nose yesterday while participating in a bunting drill in batting practice. Scherzer is one-of-a-kind, and we will see how this goes. Scherzer easily could have opted-out of the game or even taken a 10-day IL stint. Continue reading →

We hope today that Mother Nature cooperates as the Nationals will try to get a doubleheader in today. The weather forecast looks dicey once again with terms like “isolated thunderstorms” and “scattered thunderstorms”. Right now Weather.com has  a 35% chance of precipitation at first pitch of game 1 today. Last night’s weather never allowed for a window to play that game as it rained off and on for hours. Both teams will stay with their starters for this afternoon’s game with Patrick Corbin and the right-handed Jake Arrieta Zach Eflin. Corbin will now be pitching with three extra rest days due to a day-off after his last start plus the two rainout games on Monday and Tuesday. The big question will be who pitches game 2 of the doubleheader for the Nationals after Max Scherzer broke his nose during bunting practice. Jake Arrieta is now scheduled to pitch in the second half of the doubleheader.  Continue reading →

Photo from WTOP

When Mother Nature changes course, look out. Last night’s weather never allowed for a window to play the game after a change in the weather patterns. Last night’s starters of Patrick Corbin and the right-handed Jake Arrieta who were scheduled for last night were moved to tonight. It is hard to say who will benefit from the rainout as both teams got an extra day of interrupted rest to come back this afternoon and try again with another gloomy weather forecast in the offing at a 7:05 pm first pitch. Continue reading →