162-0 is an impossible dream, and more recently an annoying twitter campaign for every fan after Opening Day. It was, however, nice to keep the dream alive for an extra game this year. The Nationals will have to settle for 161-1 after dropping the final game of their opening series to the Marlins 4-3 in extra innings on Thursday night.
Continue Reading Gio Shines, Bullpen Flounders Against Marlins
Mad Max is back. After a stress fracture in his throwing hand slowed him down, the reigning Cy Young winner will finally take the mound for the Nationals in 2017. He didn’t pitch Opening Day for the Nationals in DC, but he will pitch Opening Day in Philadelphia. As fun as it would be to see Max mowing down batters in DC on the first day of the season, it might be even more fun to see him shutting down the Phillies in their home ball park.
Gio Gonzalez had a roller coaster of a 2016 season, and it ended with his worst stats ever as a National. He ended with a 4.57 ERA, by far his worst during his tenure in DC. As a result, Gio found himself on the trade block during the offseason as the Nationals searched for upgrades in the bullpen and at catcher. In the end, Gonzalez stayed put in DC and he will try and turn things around in 2017 as he takes the mound for the first time this season.
The inaugural episode of “Between Innings with Dan Kolko” released Tuesday via Kolko’s Twitter account. The new podcast, featuring Kolko and MASN producer John, is recorded at Chad’s in Friendship Heights, a restaurant amidst a transition to a Nats-centric destination— a transition all ex-Orioles fans sympathize with.
Continue Reading Kolko Makes Podcast Debut With ‘Between Innings’
Coming off of a disappointing 2015 spent shuttling between the bullpen and the starting rotation, it felt like Tanner Roark was the forgotten man in the Nationals’ 2016 rotation. All Roark went on to do was post the sixth-lowest ERA in baseball among qualified starting pitchers. Not bad for a guy who throws in the low 90s and was never a top prospect.
College Gameday posters have little on the beast of a banner that was unleashed at Nats Park Opening Day. As fans made their way to the exits, protesters unfurled a large sign reading “IMPEACH TRUMP RESIST,” above Captain’s Cove.
Continue Reading Protestors Unfurl “IMPEACH TRUMP” Banner at Nats Park
Two years is a long time in baseball.
Continue Reading The Nationals’ Window Isn’t Closing, As Far As We Know
Today is the day! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the baseball players are no longer claiming to be in the best shapes of their lives. It’s Opening Day part two, which is kind of like when Parks and Rec released after The Office. We’re in the moments before starting a glass of lemonade, when you have the whole cup left to enjoy. There are 162 games to consume, and there are a few themes to follow that might enhance your appreciation of them.
Continue Reading Trends of the Season: What to Watch for in 2017
Opening Day is here, and the Nationals will hand the ball to Stephen Strasburg to kick off the 2017 season. After a series of starts and stops in his career, Strasburg is hoping 2017 is the year it all comes together.
After a solid career as an Oriole, Matt Wieters made the (usually not so) quick drive 95 to DC and will be donning the curly W in 2017. Wieters has some big shoes to fill as he steps in to take the place of Wilson Ramos. While Wieters is a consistent ball player, he won’t be able to replicate Ramos’ success.