Tag Archives: Danny Espinosa

Nationals-Dodgers doubleheader preview

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After being swept in a three-game weekend series by the second-place Atlanta Braves, the Washington Nationals, now 89-57, have had plenty of time to regroup following a scheduled day off on Monday and the postponement of last night’s series opener with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who bring a record of 76-71 to Nationals Park. For those who have yet to hear, last night’s game will be made up this afternoon as part of a single-admission doubleheader that is scheduled to begin at 4:05 p.m.

The good news for the Nationals is that their magic number for clinching the National League East, which had remained stagnant since September 12, finally ticked down a notch with the Braves’ extra-innings loss to the Miami Marlins last night. As for their magic number to clinch an NL Wild Card, that number still sits at three. It could, however, vanish altogether with a sweep of the Dodgers in this afternoon’s doubleheader and would mark the first playoff berth for a D.C. baseball team since the 1933 Washington Senators.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson, however, will not be celebrating a Wild Card.

“The additional Wild Card, to me, just really put more of a burden on the manager, because nobody wants that one,” Johnson said. “A one-game playoff to get in? The other format, if you were the Wild Card, you’re in the playoffs. So clinching a one-game playoff doesn’t have any appeal to me.”

As such, one can assume that the Nationals will still be looking to take both games of the doubleheader, but only to put as much distance between themselves and the Braves as possible in an effort to ensure a division crown. To do so, they will have to best Dodgers right-hander Aaron Harang, who will be opposed by Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann in game one of the doubleheader. Continue reading →

Nationals reeling, but far from falling

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For some reason, there seems to be an air of uneasiness about the Washington Metropolitan Area – uneasiness that is amplified by every passing mention of the Washington Nationals and their shrinking lead in the National League East, which now sits at five games.

Perhaps a part of the anxiety was brought about by a recent series sweep, suffered at the hands of the Atlanta Braves, who appear unwilling to settle for one of the two NL Wild Cards. More than likely, a good part stems from the uncertainty surrounding a few key players in the Nationals’ starting lineup. Continue reading →

Pitching matchup – game 138

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Last night – in a game where stellar play from Jordan Zimmermann and Kurt Suzuki was overshadowed by two bench-clearing, bullpen-emptying altercations – the Washington Nationals (85-52) completed a four-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs. More than enough has already been said about the evening, including this adrenal-gland-inciting quote from Nationals reliever Michael Gonzalez. As such, I must move on to tonight’s three-game series opener with the Miami Marlins (61-77), a game that will almost assuredly garner more attention than last night’s.

Tonight, Jacob Turner and the Marlins are in town to take on Stephen Strasburg and the league-best Nationals in what will be Strasburg’s penultimate start of the season and his final at home. To predict the atmosphere at Nationals Park will be buzzing would be foolhardy. It should be nothing short of electric. Continue reading →

Pitching matchup – game 127

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After dropping the first two of a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies (60-67), the Washington Nationals (77-49) look to put an end to their first three-game skid since July 19-21. They will also be looking to avoid being swept for the fourth time this season and will do so without All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond and outfielder Michael Morse, both of whom are once again out of the lineup. If the Nationals hope to salvage this afternoon’s finale, they will need a strong showing from right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, who will take the mound opposite Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee. Continue reading →

Harper’s great expectations

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It seemed that more than a few fans in the Washington Metropolitan Area, and to a larger extent the baseball community as a whole, were surprised by the performance of Washington Nationals 19-year-old rookie Bryce Harper this weekend.

In case you missed it, Harper went 4-for-8 through the weekend set with a triple, two home runs and four RBIs – an effort that helped the Nationals take two of three from the New York Mets and extend their lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East to five games. His efforts also put him in elite company, joining Tony Conigliaro, Mel Ott, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Mickey Mantle as the top home run hitters at 19 years of age. As if that were not impressive enough, his sixth triple ranks first among teenagers with at least 12 home runs.

Bryce Harper

Patrick McDermott – Getty Images

It would be less than honest to say that I am not surprised. In fact, I am shocked. I am shocked that anyone is surprised with Harper’s performance because to be surprised is to undermine his talent. What Harper did this weekend was not surprising. He did nothing less than what is expected of him. Continue reading →

No Desmond, no problem

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Hi, how are you. Me? I am alright, I guess. There is not too much to complain about. Oh, where are my manners? Let me introduce myself. My name is Bob Carpenter and I am the television play-by-play announcer for the Washington Nationals. Oh you have heard of me? Yes, I am the broadcaster that seemingly jinxes the team time and time again. I point out how misfortunate a potential double play ball would be for the Nationals just prior to it being hit.

OK, you got me. I am not actually Bob Carpenter. I do, however, believe that I have developed his uncanny ability to jinx the team. In my Nationals notes for July 17, I felt the need to write about the diminished likelihood of All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond being placed on the 15-day disabled list. It seemed that I was in the clear with that one, as Desmond would go on to make a few pinch-hit appearances and even start a few games in the days that followed. Naturally, the baseball gods laughed in my face.

Some may even remember my article titled “Has the injury bug had its fill,” in which I suggested that the Nationals could possibly be on the road to health as well as their first National League East pennant. As predicted, posting that article was a bad, bad idea. In his post-game interview with the media following yesterday afternoon’s 9-2 win over the Atlanta Braves, manager Davey Johnson announced that Desmond will be placed on the 15-day DL with a torn left oblique. Today, I will potentially jinx the team again with the following four words: no Desmond, no problem. Continue reading →

What Desmond’s absence means to the Nationals

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Prior to Sunday’s game with the Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals’ all-star shortstop Ian Desmond played in all but one of the 85 games completed up until that point, which made his absence from the lineup in the team’s 86th game just a bit worrisome. Even more worrisome, however, is that no one is exactly sure just how long Desmond, who is suffering from a strained left oblique, will remain out of the lineup. Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson’s words suggest that it may be longer than everyone is hoping.

“I don’t know how long it might be,” Johnson said. “Normally, if I was just resting him, I’d probably play Lombo at short.” Continue reading →