Wire Taps: Washington Nationals improve to 6-1 on road trip with two more to play in LA

Washington and Los Angeles renewed their sort-of rivalry in Dodger Stadium last night, where the Nationals went 0-3 in the regular season and 1-1 in the NLDS matchup with the Dodgers in 2016.

The defending NL East champs took the series opener last night, and improved to 6-1 through seven games of the Nationals’ nine-game, three-city West Coast road trip.

Two more with LA to go and then the Nationals finally come home.

Here’s the latest news from Chavez Ravine...

NATS BEAT:

Ryan Raburn makes Nationals debut after hectic travel for the versatile veteran
"'It’s been a little chaotic,' Raburn said. 'But it’s definitely worth it to be back up here and playing with a great team.'"

Enny Romero emerging in Nationals' bullpen
"Enny Romero followed Gonzalez with two impressive innings, striking out four and allowing one walk and one double to bridge the gap to the ninth."

How much is Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper worth now?
"'Four hundred million is light,' the GM said. 'It's going to be more than that. If you could sign him to a 15-year contract, you do it.'"

NL-best Nats should be well represented in All-Star Game
"These are great days to be a Nationals fan. Once upon a time, Washington was ridiculed as “first in war, first in peace and last in the American League.”

Ryan Zimmerman overtakes Anthony Rizzo for lead in NL all-star voting at first base
"Zimmerman has 670,671 votes to Rizzo’s 657,702 after trailing by almost 94,000 votes in the first release last week."

Nats optimistic about Werth, throw Raburn right into lineup
“It’s not the primo place to get hurt in your toe,” Dusty Baker said. “Cause I hurt my big toe, and it was one of the worst injuries that I can remember."

Weisman on Robles' defense: "close to big league caliber"
"P-Nats play-by-play announcer Mike Weisman said on Nats Insider on 106.7 The Fan Sunday that Robles is a high-end prospect for a reason."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Bullpen Report: June 4, 2017
"Despite today’s craziness, Glover has brought much-needed calm to the Nationals bullpen as of late."

MLB rumors: Bryce Harper prefers Cubs over Yankees, Phillies in free agency?
"Harper reportedly would prefer to land at Wrigley Field, not Yankee Stadium or Citizens Bank Park."

MLB - Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes for June 6
"Did you know the Nationals have the worst bullpen ERA in the game?"

The Mets Pitching Staff Went From Great To Garbage In The Blink Of An Eye
"Originally slated to contend for the NL East crown, the 2017 New York Mets currently sit in a tie for third place, 7 games below .500 and a whopping 11 games back of the first-place Washington Nationals."

MLB power rankings: Astros continue hot streak, Blue Jays rising
"2. Washington Nationals: -- Ryan Zimmerman's 16 homers and 48 RBI exceed his 2016 season totals."

Fantasy baseball news all 30 teams - Fantasy 30: Merrifield, Pedroia, Verlander and more
"Ryan Raburn, recently acquired from the White Sox, and with hits in 5 of 6 games thus far with Triple-A Syracuse, could be a short-term fix."