Lots of people thought the Nationals already had the best starting pitching in the major leagues before Jan. 21, when Max Scherzer joined the team with a seven-year, $120 million free-agent deal. Some might even have thought it was a superfluous move by the Nats, an investment that might have been better made in another …
Tag: Doug Fister
May 04
Pitchers take over as Nats find footing
This is the Washington Nationals’ pitching staff we’ve been waiting to see. Since coming back from 9-1 and 10-2 deficits to beat the Braves 13-12 last Tuesday, in a game that may well be remembered as the defining moment of the 2015 season, the Nats have won four of five games behind starting pitching that …
Sep 22
One blogger’s votes for the Nats’ 2014 awards
Each year, the D.C. chapter of the Internet Baseball Writers Association polls members of the Nats blogosphere to determine its Player Achievement Awards. The voting is organized by District Sports Page Editor and fellow MASN guest blogger Dave Nichols. This year’s winners will be announced on Monday, Sept. 29 on the DC-IBWAA website. This blogger …
Aug 18
Fister helps D.C. get revenge for a terrible deal
If Washington baseball fans know the value of anything, it’s patience. Fans who were abandoned by two big league franchises, endured 34 years without a team of their own, then witnessed and seven seasons of futility, must feel thrilled to have the Nationals making a run for their second division title in three years. If …
Aug 04
Resilience, luck have Nats in good position
We’ve all heard that it’s better to be lucky than good, but a resilient Nationals team has offered proof over the past week that it’s best to be both. The Nats were clinging to a 1 1-2 game lead over Atlanta in the National League East just a week ago. Since then, they have lost …
Jul 28
History on Rizzo’s side if he makes a deal
Aside from President Obama’s golf scores, the most closely held secrets in Washington these days are how long Ryan Zimmerman’s hamstring injury will keep him sidelined, and whether the Nationals will make a trade to replace Zimmerman’s potent bat if his absence is a long one. General manager Mike Rizzo has said publicly that he …
May 05
Hang on, help is on the way
What a frustrating weekend for the Nationals and their fans. After beating up on the hapless Houston Astros and another of their characteristic come-from-behind victories in the series opener in Philadelphia, the road trip went south in a hurry. The Nats’ bats fell silent at the hands of AJ Burnett and Roberto Hernandez in a …
Jan 13
Original National Jamey Carroll returns
One of the men who was on the field when baseball returned to Washington in 2005 for the first time in 34 seasons will be back in a Nationals uniform this spring. The Nationals signed 40-year-old Jamey Carroll to a minor league contract last week, a deal that included an invitation to spring training. The …
Jan 11
Warm Weather and talk turns to Baseball
Baseball fans sit and wait for the weather to turn, while some make plans for the trip down south to catch their team in the Grapefruit League. Once again Washington fans have reason to be optimistic. New arrivals like Jerry Blevens and Doug Fister should bolster a formidable line-up. Maybe Mr. Espinosa can learn how …