Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals used both Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg during Tuesday's stunning 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Game, so manager Dave Martinez will have to turn to his third option in the rotation for the next contest.

Martinez said Patrick Corbin will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, per Jamal Collier of MLB.com.

The reality of playing in a win-or-go-home wild-card game before the division series is the opponent will almost always have the advantage when it comes to the starting pitchers.

Los Angeles was able to set its loaded rotation featuring Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Hyun-Jin Ryu while the Nationals were fighting for their postseason lives with Scherzer and Strasburg combining for eight innings against Milwaukee.

While that doesn't bode well for a Washington team that lost in the Division Series in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017, there are far worse options for a No. 3 starter than Corbin. The two-time All-Star finished the 2019 campaign with a 3.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 238 strikeouts in 202 innings, helping the Nationals overcome an inconsistent bullpen.

He will only have the chance to face the Dodgers because Juan Soto played the role of hero in Tuesday's contest.

The youngster came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and delivered with a single off Josh Hader that scored three runs because right fielder Trent Grisham misplayed the ball. That proved to be the difference after Strasburg pitched three shutout innings to keep the Nationals within striking distance following Scherzer's uneven start.

Corbin will look to set the tone in Game 1 against the Dodgers, and Scherzer and Strasburg figure to be ready for later contests in the best-of-five showdown.

The Washington Nationals are one step closer to their first World Series title in franchise history.

Washington defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in Tuesday's dramatic National League Wild Card Game at Nationals Park and will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series. While this was just one game, it represents the franchise's first victory in a postseason series since it was in Montreal in 1981.

Juan Soto played the role of hero with a bases-loaded single off Josh Hader in the bottom of the eighth inning that scored three runs in part because right fielder Trent Grisham misplayed the ball and let it get past him.

The clutch hit helped give the Nationals a chance to make up for Division Series losses in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

As for Milwaukee, it was unable to force a rematch with the Dodgers after losing to the two-time reigning National League champions in seven games in last year's National League Championship Series.

          

Notable Player Stats

• Brandon Woodruff: four innings pitched, one earned run, two hits, zero walks and three strikeouts
• Josh Hader: one inning pitched, three runs (two earned), two hits, one walk and two strikeouts
• Yasmani Grandal: 1-for-3, one home run, two RBI, one run and one walk
• Eric Thames: 2-for-4, one home run, one RBI and one run
• Max Scherzer: five innings pitched, three earned runs, four hits, three walks and six strikeouts
• Stephen Strasburg: three innings pitched, zero earned runs, two hits, zero walks and four strikeouts
• Juan Soto: 1-for-4 and two RBI
• Trea Turner: 1-for-4, one home run, one RBI and one run

         

Stephen Strasburg and Juan Soto Save Nationals from Typical Playoff Misery

The Nationals knew only playoff failure before Tuesday's game, and arguably the best pitcher in the league wasn't even enough to change that until Stephen Strasburg and Soto saved the day.

Max Scherzer is one of the all-time greats as a three-time Cy Young winner who finished in the top five in the award's voting in each of the last six years, but Milwaukee wasted no time jumping all over him with a two-run homer from Yasmani Grandal on the first pitch the catcher saw in the opening inning and a solo blast from Eric Thames in the second.

Yasmani Grandal vs. Max Scherzer before tonight: 1-for-16, two walks, nine strikeouts

Yasmani Grandal vs. Max Scherzer tonight: 1-for-2, two-run homer, fly out to the warning track in right, walk

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 2, 2019

It was more of the same for Scherzer after he allowed four runs (two earned), three hits and a walk in just one inning of work in a decisive Game 5 loss to the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 NLDS in his last postseason appearance.

Teams can't prepare for tomorrow in win-or-go-home scenarios, so Nationals manager Dave Martinez turned to Strasburg after Scherzer was mediocre through five innings of work.

It was a brilliant move, as the team's second ace did everything Washington could ask for in three shutout frames that gave the offense a chance for some late fireworks after the rough start. The typically dominant Hader was unable to close the door in Strasburg-like fashion, as Ryan Zimmerman's single and Anthony Rendon's ability to work a walk set the table for Soto.

Josh Hader faced 66 LH hitters this year. He gave up a single to one of them.

He hadn’t allowed 2 singles in the same appearance since May 27.

But. That. Just. Happened.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) October 2, 2019

That wasn’t a baseball game. That was an exorcism.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 2, 2019

Things get more challenging from here for a Nationals team that used its two best pitchers for a combined eight innings before a series against a loaded Dodgers pitching staff, but the typical postseason futility was nowhere to be found in the final two innings.

          

Familiar Formula Finally Lets Down Resilient Brewers

The Brewers didn't have MVP candidate Christian Yelich after he suffered a fractured right knee cap last month. They didn't have an ace starter to match Scherzer. They are accustomed to being overlooked in their own division against high-profile opponents in the Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.

None of it mattered until Washington's final turn at bat.

The team that relied on a different hero every game when it went 13-5 and clinched a playoff spot after Yelich's injury turned to Brandon Woodruff as the starter who would deliver the ball to the formidable bullpen with the lead.

In 2019, @B_Woody24 averaged 96.2 mph on his fastball.

Tonight, all 38 of his fastballs were 96.9 mph or faster. 😱 pic.twitter.com/zEOYHNL5ih

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 2, 2019

He did just that with Trea Turner's solo homer in the third inning as the only damage before the combination of Brent Suter and Drew Pomeranz paved the way for Hader with a seemingly comfortable two-run lead.

The familiar formula of acceptable starting pitching to go with a steady and deep bullpen to shorten games and frustrate opponents worked down the stretch this season and was enough to push Los Angeles to seven games in last year's NLCS.

NATIONALS TAKE A 4-3 LEAD

Nats mood ⬇️ Brewers mood ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CtM9uQ2Avb

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 2, 2019

It appeared as if it would be enough once again, but Hader faltered in the biggest moment of the season and sent his team to an offseason where it could look to bolster the starting rotation so there is not as much pressure on the bullpen in nearly every game.

          

What's Next?

The Nationals will now be tasked with defeating a Dodgers team that features a pitching staff with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Hyun-Jin Ryu in a short best-of-five series. Game 1 is Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

The Washington Nationals reportedly offered third baseman Anthony Rendon a seven-year deal worth $210 million-$215 million in early September, according to Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post. 

The offer is not expected to stop Rendon from exploring the free-agent market, where he will be one of the league's most sought-after players.

According to Svrluga, the deal comes with deferrals that would be paid off within seven years of the contract's expiration. This differs from the offer to Bryce Harper last year, which featured payments lasting until 2052.

Harper eventually signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a 13-year, $330 million contract.

The Nationals could now face more pressure to re-sign Rendon, who is a legitimate MVP candidate after an outstanding 2019 season. The 29-year-old finished the year with a .319 batting average, 1.010 OPS, 34 home runs and 126 RBI, all of which were career highs.

He also led the National League in RBI and doubles (44) and helped Washington earn a wild-card spot.

As Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports recently noted, Rendon could top the eight-year, $260 million deal Nolan Arenado received from the Colorado Rockies if he hits free agency:

Anthony Rendon's next contract could set the foundation for Kris Bryant & Matt Chapman in the near future.@Ken_Rosenthal talks about this topic & more. pic.twitter.com/ZHaC6RpYOp

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 19, 2019

The key will be negotiating with multiple teams rather than accepting an extension like Arenado.

Washington has done its best to lock down Rendon but has been unsuccessful to this point.

"We've had discussions throughout the year, and we've traded proposals back and forth," general manager Mike Rizzo said over the summer, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN. "We haven't had a deal yet. We certainly would embrace if we can get a deal done. We certainly continue to talk, and we'll see where it leads us down the road."

The All-Star will now have to decide if the latest deal was enough to keep him on the roster. 

The Washington Nationals are headed for the playoffs, and Bryce Harper is not. Take that sentence, mail it back to late February when Harper ditched the Nationals for a massive contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, and watch Nats fans grin with glee.

It's not Harper's fault the Phillies are mired in fourth place in the National League East and will watch the postseason from their couches. Whether he'll ever fully live up to the 13-year, $330 million pact he signed with the Phils is open for debate. But his 2019 numbers—33 HR, 108 RBI, .872 OPS, 4.4 WAR—are pretty dang good.

Yet it hasn't been enough for Philadelphia, which will miss the dance for the eighth straight year. Meanwhile, in D.C., a pair of bashers is powering Washington into October.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon and left fielder Juan Soto have emerged as one of the best offensive duos in the game, leaving Nationals boosters to ask, "Bryce who?"

OK, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. Harper will never be completely forgotten (and may never be forgiven) in the nation's capital. But by any statistical measure, Rendon and Soto have more than picked up the slack.

They've each hit 34 home runs. Soto has tallied 108 RBI, and Rendon leads both leagues with 124. Soto's .957 OPS is good; Rendon's 1.013 mark is even better. As for WAR, both have Harper bested: Soto at 4.9 and Rendon at 7.0.

Rendon is squarely in the National League MVP conversation, and Soto should pick up down-ballot votes.

"They don't swing at bad pitches, and they have great approaches," Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg told reporters. "They grind on you, and they can also hit the ball out of the yard. It's hard to really find that kind of combination from the both of them to where they'll do what's needed every single time. It's fun to watch."

Undoubtedly, it's more fun to watch than it is to pitch against.

This is nothing new for Rendon, who tied for the National League lead in doubles last season with 44 (he's leading the Senior Circuit again in that category this season with 43) and has twice finished in the top 10 in NL MVP voting. Rendon is also 29 years old and an impending free agent (more on that in a moment).

Soto, by comparison, is a baby. He won't reach legal U.S. drinking age until Oct. 25. Most players of his vintage are still toiling in the minors and working out the kinks. After posting a .923 OPS in 116 games with the Nationals last season and coming in second in NL Rookie of the Year balloting, Soto is eschewing any notions of a sophomore slump.

Despite being at different points in their respective careers, the tandem have one thing in common: They're the beating heart of a Washington offense that ranks second in the National League with 836 runs scored.

Others such as right fielder Adam Eaton, center fielder Victor Robles and shortstop Trea Turner deserve credit as well. But often, it's the Rendon and Soto show.

Just for fun, here are the highlights from an Aug. 31 game against the Miami Marlins in which they went back-to-back with each of their 30th dingers and combined for three home runs, four RBI and five runs scored:

The Nats will need that kind of firepower come playoff time. Assuming they survive the one-and-done NL Wild Card Game (likely against the Milwaukee Brewers, sans the injured Christian Yelich), they'd face the loaded Los Angeles Dodgers in a tough division series matchup.

With a strong rotation fronted by Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin and Rendon and Soto swatting baseballs with extreme prejudice, they'd have a puncher's chance.

"They're what kept this lineup going," manager Davey Martinez told reporters. "They consistently drive in the runs we need."

OK, back to Rendon's upcoming free agency. He's enjoying a career year with the bat, plays a slick third base, is entering his age-30 season and is represented by super-agent Scott Boras. If that isn't a recipe for a gaudy multiyear deal, nothing is.

It could come from the Nationals. There have also been rumblings about a reunion with Harper in Philadelphia. It's all speculation at this point, but the mere idea should be enough to give Nationals fans heartburn. 

For now, they can take solace in the fact that they've got Rendon and Soto for the 2019 run at least. Plus, Soto—who is under club control through 2024—joins Robles and Turner to form an exciting, controllable young core.

The Rendon-Soto partnership may be nearing its end, or it could be destined to continue for years to come. That's a matter to sort out during the long, cold offseason.

For now, the autumn leaves are falling, the postseason is approaching, and the Nationals have a terrific twosome—good enough, even, to induce temporary Bryce Harper amnesia. 

   

All statistics current as of Tuesday and courtesy of FanGraphs and Baseball Reference.

The Washington Nationals have officially overcome their 19-31 start to clinch a National League wild-card berth thanks to Tuesday's doubleheader sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs' loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  

The Nats' season looked lost in May after a four-game sweep by the New York Mets dropped them 12 games below .500. 

For the 5th time in 8 years, your Washington Nationals are headed to the @MLB Postseason!#CLINCHED // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/3T89Y8zZ4L

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 25, 2019

However, a 9-2 stretch sparked a torrid summer pace in which the Nats jumped over .500 in late June and then briefly flirted with a challenge for the NL East crown.

While the Atlanta Braves clinched that honor, the Nats will gladly take a wild-card berth after the season once looked headed for a midseason fire sale.

Washington's top three starters have proved the catalysts, with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin all striking out well over a batter per inning. Scherzer has been the team's ace, entering Tuesday with a team-leading 2.81 ERA and 233 strikeouts in 166.1 frames.

The team's lineup has also been sensational, and third baseman Anthony Rendon has spearheaded the effort with a .325 batting average, 34 home runs, 122 RBI and 1.020 OPS. Twenty-year-old Juan Soto is already a superstar, smacking 34 homers and knocking home 108 runners. And shortstop Trea Turner has swiped 34 bases.

The team's Achilles' heel is its bullpen, which ranks last in ERA.

Although the Nationals haven't advanced past the first round of the playoffs since moving from Montreal in 2004, that may change given how the starting rotation and batting lineup have been performing.

The Nats will open their postseason with the National League Wild Card Game on Tuesday, Oct. 1, likely at home against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Sometimes things come full circle in sports. 

The Philadelphia Phillies signed right fielder Bryce Harper this offseason after he spent the first seven years of his career with the Washington Nationals and appeared well on their way to a potential playoff run. However, Washington eliminated the Phillies from postseason contention with a 4-1 victory in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

The irony of Washington eliminating Harper from playoff contention was not lost on the fans at Nationals Park. Howard Fendrich of the Associated Press reported the elimination came to the "delight of fans," who booed the six-time All-Star and former Washington star in each of his at-bats. 

Tuesday represented more than just an opportunity for Washington to knock Harper out of the playoffs.

A victory in the second game of the doubleheader paired with a loss by the Chicago Cubs at the Pittsburgh Pirates would clinch a postseason spot for the Nationals. It would be the fifth time in eight years Washington reached the playoffs, although it missed out in Harper's final season with the team in 2018.

The Nationals will have to play in the National League Wild Card Game, likely against the Milwaukee Brewers, because the Atlanta Braves have been a dominant force in the NL East all season.

They have an 8.5-game lead over the Nationals and 16.5-game lead over the fourth-place Phillies.

"Obviously, it's disappointing," Philadelphia first baseman Rhys Hoskins said of his team's position in the standings, per Fendrich. "You set out at the beginning of the year, the beginning of the offseason, spring training, whatever it may be, with the goal in mind, right? And obviously we've come up short this year."

This is surely not what Harper envisioned when he signed a 13-year deal with the Phillies this offseason. He still has plenty of time to help lead Philadelphia to the postseason like he did multiple times in Washington, but his old team is on the way to October baseball while he has a long offseason in store.

Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez will return to the dugout for Friday's game against the Miami Marlins after undergoing a heart procedure earlier in the week. 

Thrilled to announce that manager Davey Martinez will return to the dugout for tonight’s game against the Marlins.

Welcome back, Davey! pic.twitter.com/FOdBnPnid9

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 20, 2019

The 54-year-old was hospitalized after experiencing chest pains during Sunday's 7-0 win over the Atlanta Braves in the nation's capital. He missed the team's three-game series in St. Louis after undergoing a cardiac catheterization and remaining in the hospital until Tuesday.

"He had more energy today," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said of Martinez on Tuesday, per MLB.com's Jamal Collier. "He's upbeat, like he always is. We talked a little health and a lot of baseball, so it was kind of normal."

Bench coach Chip Hale, who previously managed the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2015 to 2016, served as the interim manager in Martinez's absence. Washington went 1-2 against the Cardinals.

In his second season as skipper, Martinez has guided the Nationals to an 83-68 record. They currently own a two-game edge in the National League wild-card race, holding a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the top wild-card spot.

Martinez has a career record of 165-148.

Washington has 11 games remaining in the regular season. The Nationals will play three games in Miami before returning home for an eight-game homestand to end the season, which features five games against the Philadelphia Phillies and three versus the Cleveland Indians.

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez underwent a cardiac catheterization after experiencing chest pains during Sunday's win over the Atlanta Braves.

Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports first reported the news.

On Tuesday, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo provided an update, per Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post:

Update on Dave Martinez from Mike Rizzo: The cardiac catheterization did not reveal a need for any additional procedures right now. Martinez is home from the hospital and will rejoin the team as soon as he’s cleared to travel.

— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) September 17, 2019

Bench coach Chip Hale took over the managing duties when Martinez left Sunday's contest in the sixth inning and will do so again during Monday's game, per the team.

Washington hired Martinez, who turns 55 on Sept. 26, as its manager prior to the 2018 season. He spent 16 years in the major leagues as an outfielder and had stints as the bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.

He was part of the coaching staff that helped lead the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years during the 2016 season.

The Nationals missed the playoffs at 82-80 in their first season under Martinez but are in position to reach the postseason in 2019 despite losing Bryce Harper in free agency. They are 82-66 and 1.5 games ahead of Chicago for the top wild-card spot in the National League.

The series against the Cardinals could prove important for wild-card positioning since St. Louis is only two games ahead of the Cubs in the NL Central.

Washington Nationals star Stephen Strasburg could test the free-agent market this offseason for the first time in his career. 

Per MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi, there's "increasing speculation" around Major League Baseball that Strasburg will use the opt-out clause in his contract. 

Morosi did note Strasburg could attempt to use the opt-out as leverage to secure a new deal from the Nationals. He still has four years and $100 million left on his deal after this season. 

Among the reasons for Strasburg to at least consider testing free agency is the weak market for starting pitchers.

Gerrit Cole will clearly be the best option available if he doesn't sign an extension with the Houston Astros. Zack Wheeler has been mostly healthy the past two years, but his 4.33 ERA this season doesn't suggest he's ready to become a top-tier starter. 

Yu Darvish has an opt-out with the Chicago Cubs, though it's unclear if he's considering using it. The Cleveland Indians hold a $17 million option for Corey Kluber, who has only pitched in seven games this season due to a fractured right arm. 

Strasburg has quietly had a strong 2019 season for the Nationals. The three-time All-Star has a 3.47 ERA, 1.039 WHIP and 215 strikeouts in 179 innings over 28 starts. He's on pace to average more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings for the sixth straight season.  

Entering Tuesday night's matchup between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals, the lasting headline was thought to be Cy Young winners Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer facing off on the mound.

Wrong.  

The Mets entered the bottom of the ninth leading the Nats 10-4, and then the wheels fell off. 

The Nationals scored seven runs in the final frame to secure an 11-10 victory, capped off by a three-run walk-off home run from catcher Kurt Suzuki: 

The @Nationals with a comeback for the ages. 😱

(MLB x @Supercuts) pic.twitter.com/apuljYJ81z

— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2019

Suzuki hit his homer off Edwin Diaz, who was given the loss for the Mets, but it was Paul Sewald who started the ninth on the mound and allowed four earned runs. 

Washington's comeback defied all sorts of odds: 

The Mets entered the bottom of the ninth inning tonight with a 99.7 percent chance to win, according to Fangraphs calculations. They lost. pic.twitter.com/dGm4XUrM3w

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 4, 2019

Before the Nationals came back to beat the Mets, home teams trailing by 6+ runs entering the bottom of the 9th were 4-1,321 over the last 5 seasons. #SCFacts pic.twitter.com/Sw1ZBrOqVX

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 4, 2019

Per @vincentkjohnson : @MLB Teams leading by 6 or more runs entering the bottom of the 9th this season were 274-0 before the @Mets implosion vs the Nationals. #Mets

— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) September 4, 2019

More importantly, the result holds weight in the National League playoff race. It is particularly devastating for the Mets' postseason chances. With the loss, New York drops to five games back in the National League wild-card race. The Nationals hold a 3.5-game lead in that race and sit 6.5 games behind Atlanta in the NL East.