Wire Taps: Bryce Harper scratched; Ian Desmond reflects on time in D.C.; Dusty Baker and Matt Williams share bond

So, in the last two games, the Nationals have scored a combined 24 runs and gotten 34 hits. The two games before, they combined for 4 runs and 11 hits. Baseball is weird.

While you comprehend this, here's the news from Chase Field.

Bryce Harper scratched from lineup with illness
Harper joined Ryan Zimmerman on the bench last night after coming down with an illness.

Buster Olney: Nats did a 'terrible' job at deadline
Buster Olney said that the Nats will regret not having Andrew Miller in the playoffs, and that they did a terrible job at the deadline. In other news, ponies are blue and the sun sets in the east.

Nats beat the DBacks, Matt Williams still wins
The racing legend mascot of Matt Williams, affectionately dubbed "Matty", hung out in the Nationals' bullpen before his race on Monday night - and then downed a quote-on-quote "racing president". Okay, Diamondbacks. Okay.

In first place on a different team, Ian Desmond reflects on time in D.C.
When Desmond plays centerfield at Camden Yards tomorrow and the next day, he'll see a few Nationals fans behind him, celebrating his time with the organization. Desmond has moved on - just not too much to forget the Nats.

Dusty Baker and Matt Williams share bond despite different paths
Williams, who played under Baker before managing the Nats, is happy where he is now, and Baker is as well - but they both believe friendship outweighs their professional obligations.

Today's Game: Nationals vs DBacks - 3:40 PM (MASN, MLB Network, WJFK)
Probable Pitchers: Max Scherzer (11-6, 2.85 ERA) vs Zack Godley (3-1, 5.63 ERA)