Wire Taps: Daniel Murphy debuts at second; Orioles made MASN pitch; What’s up with the starting pitching?

The Nats are only two games over .500. That’s, uh, something.

Here’s the news from Nats Park, where they’ll face the Red Sox, everything is FINE.

Observations from Phillies’ wild 13-inning win vs. Nationals: Kapler taking “Be Bold” motto to heart (The Athletic)
"In the last two games of the series against the Nationals, the bullpen combined to allow just one run in 15 innings while striking out 13 hitters."

Daniel Murphy makes 2018 debut at second base (MLB.com)
"I really believe he's our second baseman, and he's back," Martinez said. "So if he wants to play, then you know what, it's time for him to go out there and play second base, see what he can do and see where we're at."

Starting Pitching Struggles (The Nats Blog)
With Stephen Strasburg and Jeremy Hellickson down, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark have faltered — possibly because of high inning counts, possibly because of command, possibly because of Pedro Severino.

‘He’s our second baseman’: Daniel Murphy started at second for the first time this season (WaPo)
Murphy just didn't feel like he had gotten his legs under him, so he was going to sit out, until he miraculously felt better and was Suddenly Ready For Second Base.

Looking back at the late-blooming career of Jayson Wert - (Beyond The Box Score)
Jayson Werth went from fourth outfielder to superstar to $100 million player -- five years after his major league debut.

The Orioles presented settlement figures for MASN this spring - (Baltimore Sun)
The O’s have seemed content to drag out the MASN dispute, but they actually made an attempt to end it (albeit, an unfair one) before the season.