• Programming Notes: The Washington Nationals announced their 2012 schedule. Game one of 162 is on April 5th in Wrigley Field when the Nats start a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs. The home opener is April 12th against Cincinnati. 10 more home games follow with Washington facing the Reds (4 G), Houston Astros (4G) and the Miami Marlins (3 G). Oher highlights? June 8-10th the Nats visit Fenway Park for three games with the Red Sox. June 15-17th the New York Yankees visit the nation's capital. From 6/8-6/24 it's the Nats vs the AL East as Washington faces Boston, Toronto, New York, Tampa Bay and Baltimore over a 15-game stretch. The season ends with a three-game home series against Philadelphia. Uh, I guess this season isn't over yet. Tonight it's the Mets/Nats in Citi Field with Brad Peacock's first MLB start. MASN HD, MLB.tv, SNY in NY, 106.7 the FAN in D.C., 1500 WFED and Sirius/XM ch. 183. Who's Watching The Nationals?
• LINKS AND LINKS AND...
• NATS BEAT:
• "With constant pregame practice and tweaking, Zimmerman has alleviated concerns about his throwing..." - "For the Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman’s new throwing mechanics are no longer an issue" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "With a fear that the infection could turn into a staph infection, the Nationals doctors opened up the wound and cleaned it out." - "Corey Brown undergoes surgery for right knee infection, plus other pre-game notes" - Amanda Comak. Washington Times
• "The Nationals have now won four of their last five, beating the Mets by a run in each of the first two games of this four-game series." - "Nationals match 2010 win total with victory over Mets" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "'I've never seen a third baseman with quickness that he has, with the catch and quick release that he has,' Johnson said about Zimmerman." - "Johnson gives Zimmerman's glove high praise" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "The last lingering effect from the torn capsule in his right shoulder was getting loose." - "How Chien-Ming Wang shed his slow starting ways" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "'Every time you go out there, you’ve got to try to make an impression on somebody,' Stammen said." - "Stammen's strong outing helps Nationals top Mets" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Outfielder Corey Brown, a September call-up, is likely out for the season’s remaining two weeks following surgery to remove an infection from his knee..." - "Nationals call-up Corey Brown likely done for season after surgery to remove infection" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "Three more wins would get them past the 2006 team for the third-best win total since the team came to Washington in 2005." - "Nationals making progress, but what does it mean?" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• Nats Insider: Beltway Baseball Live - 2 p.m. today: CSNwashington.com's Chase Hughes and I discussed Stephen Strasburg, Ross Detwiler and Chris Marrero, among other topics. We also answered your questions.
• "Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang started for Washington and recorded a no-decision. He didn't put together a clean inning, but he completed five frames and allowed two runs on nine hits." - "Washington Nationals at New York Mets: Nats boosted to win by Zimmerman, Stammen" - Bill Ladson, MLB.com WSH Recap
• "The Nationals announced their 2012 schedule this morning; they will begin the year at Wrigley Field on April 5 against the Cubs." - "Nationals announce 2012 schedule" - Ben Goessling, MASNSports.com
• "With 15 games to spare, this year's version of the Nationals has officially matched the win total of their immediate predecessors." - "Nationals match 2010 win total with 15 games to go, so what does it mean?" - Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• "Would it surprise you to know that, entering today's games, the Washington Nationals have out-homered the Phillies?" - "A mixed bag on offense" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• "'If you’d have told me five or 10 years ago, when I was in high school or college, ‘When you’re 27, you’re going to be playing Triple-A baseball for a living,’ I think I would have taken it in a heartbeat.'" - "Nationals’ Craig Stammen resurfaces to pitch Washington past the Mets, 3-2" - Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post
• "[Mike] Pelfrey will square off against Brad Peacock, who makes his first career start for the Nationals. Peacock, a highly-touted prospect who was tagged for a blown save in his Major League debut..." - "Washington Nationals at New York Mets: Pelf can set example of persistence for Mets" - Jon Star, MLB.com Preview
• "'He’s a magician over there,' Davey Johnson said. 'He’s right up there [with the best I’ve seen].'" - Johnson on Zimmerman - "New throwing motion finally an afterthought for Zimmerman"- Amanda Comak, Washington Times
• NATS MINOR LEAGUES:
• Class-A Auburn: "The sweep gives the Yankees the 2011 New York-Penn League Championship and drops Auburn to 0-2 all time in championship series against Staten Island." - "Yankees Sweep to Take League Title" - Auburn Doubledays News
• "Three of the players on this year's instructional roster finished the season with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns: David Freitas, Cole Leonida and Adrian Nieto." - "Catching depth displayed on Nationals' instructional league roster" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Class-A Auburn: Carlos Alvarez - 2 for 4; Nathan Karns - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's - Auburn Doubledays Scoreboard
• "Wander Ramos Named to GCL Postseason All-Star Team" - NationalsProspects.com
• "Auburn Swept Out Of NYPL Finals" - NationalsProspects.com
• Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "My message is always the same: to cultivate and practice love, kindness, compassion and tolerance." -
• NATS TOWN:
• "As always, I edit the 'question' for levity and clarity, and write my response before reading Boswell’s." - "My Answers to Boswell’s Chat questions 9/12/11 edition" - Nationals Arm Race
• "Nats starter Chien-Ming Wang had an interesting evening, allowing nine hits in his five innings of work, but just two runs. He struck out four and did not walk a batter." - "GAME 146 REVIEW: Stammen Earns Win, Scores Winning Run" - Dave Nichols, Nats News Network
• "...Craig Stammen would've had the honor for his effort last night." - "If they were still handing out the Silver Elvis wig after games..." - Nats Enquirer
• "I hate to break it to Straburg, but if all goes according to plan, every start he makes from now forward will continue to be an event. That’s the kind of talent he is and the potential he has." - "Strasburg Hopes His Starts Become Less Of An Event, Here's Hoping They Dont" - Will Yoder, The Nats Blog
• "It’s an unofficial 'unsung hero' award of sorts, giving recognition to players for their off-the-field attitudes and contributions." - "Desmond Nominated for Roberto Clemente" - Keara Dowd, Win for Teddy
• "Enter Mike Rizzo. Enter Pitching and Defense… and a new emphasis on the Draft. Rizzo undertook a huge makeover of the entire organization..." - "The Tao of Rizzo" - Sean, Capitol Baseball
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Marlins: "Gaby Sanchez is the Marlins 2011 nominee for the Roberto Clemente award." - "Gaby Sanchez nominated for the Clemente Award" - Craig, Fish Stripes
• Mets: "As the Mets skid to their third straight losing season, the plus side is that few of their fans seem to be paying much attention." - Citi Field A Ghost Town As New York Mets Head Toward 3rd Straight Losing Year; NY Falls To Washington Nationals Tuesday " CBS New York
• Braves/Marlins: "[Brian] McCann has been nothing but trouble for the Marlins over the course of his career." - "Florida Marlins’ four-game win streak ends with loss to Braves" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com
• Phillies: "You could probably say that Pence has been the best stretch-drive pickup in the majors." - "Why does Hunter Pence choke up?" - Jim Salisbury, CSNPhilly.com