JULY 25, 2021 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
WASHINGTON NATIONALS 71-91 · 4TH IN NL EAST
71-91 · 4TH IN NL EAST
A sweep in Baltimore leaves the Nationals in a tailspin as the trade deadline creeps closer Brad Hand's ninth-inning struggles handed Washington its fourth straight loss and dropped it eight games back in the National League East.
Brad Hand - Charged with another loss Hand (5-4) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk in a third of an inning to take the loss against the Orioles on Sunday.
Impact Hand entered Sunday's game in the bottom of the ninth inning to preserve a one-run lead, but he hit Maikel Franco in a two-strike count to lead off the frame before giving up two runs as he failed to convert on his save chance. The southpaw earned a win and picked up a save in his first two outings after the All-Star break, but he's allowed four runs (three earned) in 2.1 innings across his last two appearances, and he's been charged with back-to-back losses.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Paolo Espino - Fans six in no-decision Espino allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six in five innings during Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Orioles. He didn't factor into the decision.
Impact Espino struggled against the long ball early in Sunday's contest, as he gave up solo homers in the first, second and fourth innings. He hadn't given up more than one home run in any of his appearances earlier in the year, but his five-inning start against Baltimore matched his longest outing of the season. The right-hander has posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 56 innings across 23 appearances (seven starts) in 2021. Espino could move back to the bullpen next week since Joe Ross (elbow) is slated to return Monday.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brad Hand's blown save gives Orioles sweep of Nationals The Nationals held a one-run lead entering the ninth, but Brad Hand couldn’t shut the door, making Washington’s pre-trade deadline outlook a...
JULY 25, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
O's walk it off in 9th to sweep Nats at home BALTIMORE -- As the July 30 Trade Deadline approaches, Orioles general manager Mike Elias this week will be faced with perhaps the toughest...
JULY 25, 2021 • MLB.COM
Orioles complete three-game sweep of Nationals with 5-4 win
Ryan McKenna scored on a grounder by Ramon Urías for the winning run as the Baltimore Orioles completed a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals with a 5-4 victoryJULY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Strasburg takes ongoing nerve irritation in neck to new doctor Stephen Strasburg has been on the injured list since June 2, and the Nationals are still trying to address the nerve irritation in his neck.
JULY 25, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Gerardo Parra - Sitting Sunday Parra is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Impact Josh Harrison gets the nod in left field in the series finale, but Parra has emerged as the primary option at the position after Kyle Schwarber (hamstring) was placed on the injured list earlier this month. Parra started in left field in five of the past six games, going 7-for-20 with a double, three runs and an RBI.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Andrew Stevenson - Sitting versus lefty Stevenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Impact The lefty-hitting Stevenson will take a seat in the series finale with southpaw John Means on the mound, but the Nationals appear committed to giving the 27-year-old regular at-bats against right-handed pitching at the expense of the struggling Victor Robles. Stevenson started in center field in five of the past six games, going 3-for-14 with two doubles, two walks, two RBI, one run and one stolen base.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Ryan Zimmerman - Gets another turn as DH Zimmerman will serve as Washington's designated hitter and bat fifth Sunday against the Orioles, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Impact Thanks to the DH being available in Baltimore, Zimmerman will pick up his third consecutive start. He's failed to take advantage of being included in the lineup the past two days, going 0-for-7 to drop his season average to. 229.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Max Scherzer - Plays catch Sunday Scherzer (triceps) threw off flat ground Sunday and is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday before the Nationals determine whether he's fit to make his next schedu...
Impact Scherzer was scratched ahead of his scheduled start Saturday in Baltimore due to right triceps discomfort, but the Nationals apparently aren't viewing the injury as a major concern. As long as he's able to complete his upcoming bullpen session without incident, Scherzer shouldn't face any major restrictions if he does in fact return to action Thursday. The start in Philadelphia could mark Scherzer's final outing with Washington; the 45-52 Nationals are beginning to fade from the playoff picture and could make their longtime ace and impending free agent available ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Stephen Strasburg - Re-evaluation on tap Strasburg (neck) is scheduled to meet with a specialist Monday before the next step in his rehab program is decided, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact Strasburg has experienced two setbacks in his recovery from the neck strain since the All-Star break, so the Nationals will send him in for another medical evaluation with the hope of gleaning more information regarding why he's experiencing recurring discomfort. The injury has kept Strasburg on the shelf since early June, and given the multiple setbacks he's incurred in addition to the extensive build-up time he'll require during his throwing program, he's likely multiple weeks away from returning from the injured list. Fantasy managers in shallower leagues with limited bench or IL spots available could be better off cutting bait with Strasburg at this point rather than waiting on his potential return.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Joe Ross - Returning Monday Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Ross (elbow) will be activated from the 10-day injured list to start Monday's series opener in Philadelphia, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com report...
Impact Ross' inflamed right elbow kept him on the shelf for his first two turns through the rotation to open the Nationals' second-half schedule, but he looks like he'll be good to go after he completed a bullpen session earlier in the weekend without issue. Before the elbow issue surfaced, Ross had emerged as one of the Nationals' most dependable arms after a rough start to the season. Dating back to the beginning of June, Ross has gone 3-3 with a 2.31 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 44:6 K:BB across 39 innings.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tres Barrera - Gets Sunday off Barrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Impact Barrera gets a much-needed day off after he went 7-for-23 with three extra-base hits (one home run, two doubles) while catching in each of the Nationals' last six games. Rene Rivera will replace him behind the dish Sunday, but Barrera should continue to see the bulk of the starts at the position until one of Yan Gomes (oblique) or Alex Avila (calf) returns from the injured list.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Paolo Espino - Picks up another start Espino will start Sunday's game against the Orioles, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Impact Espino will stick in the Washington rotation for a second straight start and his seventh of the season overall while the Nationals await the returns of Joe Ross (elbow) and Stephen Strasburg (neck) from the injured list. Through his first six starts on the campaign, Espino has posted a 2.63 ERA across 27.1 innings.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Nationals vs Orioles Prediction and Pick for MLB Game Today From FanDuel Sportsbook Today's slate of MLB games includes a clash between the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles. Nationals vs Orioles Prediction and Pick...
JULY 25, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Rosenthal: As the trade deadline approaches, Nationals' bigger decisions concern futures of Trea Turner and Juan Soto The struggling Nats will likely be sellers at the deadline and face challenges keeping players like Turner and Soto long term.
JULY 25, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Juan Soto - Launches 17th homer Soto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Orioles.
Impact His seventh-inning shot off Adam Plutko got the Nats on the board, but they were already in a 5-0 hole by that point. Soto has gone deep six times in eight games since the All-Star break, and the surge has boosted his slash line on the season to .298/.420/.510 with 17 homers, six steals, 55 RBI and 63 runs through 87 contests.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jon Lester - Falls to O's Lester (3-5) took the loss Saturday, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk over five-plus innings as the Nationals were downed 5-3 by the Orioles. He struck out two.
Impact It wasn't a terrible outing by the veteran southpaw, but solo homers by Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle put the Nats in an early hole and the team's offense didn't wake up until the seventh inning. Lester stumbled into the All-Star break but has looked somewhat rejuvenated since, posting a 2.25 ERA and 9:1 K:BB over 12 innings in two starts to begin the second half.
JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Espino scheduled to start for Nationals at Orioles
The Orioles will roll out John Means to the mound Sunday and the Nationals will give Paolo Espino the startJULY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEADING OFF: More All-Star starters in Chisox-Brewers set
The Chicago White Sox and Brewers close a weekend full of impressive pitching matchups in Milwaukee with arguably the best of the bunch Sunday nightJULY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Harvey shines for 2nd straight start in win BALTIMORE -- That Saturday wasn’t officially turn-back-the-clock night at Oriole Park didn’t preclude the evening from exuding a mid-2010s f...
JULY 25, 2021 • MLB.COM
Matt Harvey impressive again, Orioles beat Nationals 5-3
Matt Harvey allowed one hit in six scoreless innings in another outstanding performance and the Baltimore Orioles held on to beat the fading Washington Nationals 5-3JULY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEADING OFF: More All-Star starters in Chisox-Brewers set
The Chicago White Sox and Brewers close a weekend full of impressive pitching matchups in Milwaukee with arguably the best of the bunch Sunday nightJULY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nats ace Scherzer scratched with triceps discomfort
Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer was scratched from his start at Baltimore with what the team described as mild right triceps discomfortJULY 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
