Wire Taps: Nationals and Braves try to play again today; forecast not promising + Nats’ prospect Wil Crowe rolling...

The forecast for this afternoon doesn’t look promising either, with rain projected to start around 1:00 and continue throughout the day.

Are they really going to make us all wait until tomorrow at 8:10 PM in Milwaukee to see more Washington Nationals baseball?

NATS BEAT:

Sean Doolittle's All-Star Diary: Go behind the ropes in D.C. - (ESPN)
"After I got traded over here last year, I found myself in this new role as the closer, and there were all these signs around the ballpark about the All-Star Game."

Photos: Nats’ Doolittle encourages kids to read at DC Public Library event - (WTOP)
"More than a hundred parents and kids crowded into a room Saturday at the Cleveland Park Library to watch an all-star pitcher close out a book."

On the first base platoon and the short bullpen - (MASN)
"This is probably going to be the plan for now, with Martinez playing matchups on a day-to-day basis. Both Adams and Zimmerman recognize and understand that."

Six-man bullpen has Nationals banking on a quick return by Sean Doolittle - (WaPost)
"Sean Doolittle jogged Friday afternoon, and that represented progress. But he did not come off the disabled list on his first day eligible to do so..."

Strasburg-Scherzer argument isn't concern for Nationals. Actually, it's about time - (WaPost)
"The dugout argument between Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer shouldn’t be a concern. Actually, it’s about time for a team that’s worn a smiley face too long."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Red Sox lose to unbeaten Nationals pitcher | Salem Red Sox - (roanoke.com)
"Potomac starter Wil Crowe (10-0) became the first Carolina League pitcher to reach double-digit wins this season, allowing three runs on four hits over five innings."

Balanced Offense Leads Potomac to 7-3 Win in Series Opener - (MiLB.com)
”RHP Wil Crowe (W, 10-0), who went exactly a month in between Carolina League starts before returning on July 13th, earned the win, his league-leading 10th of the season.”

Division-by-divison look at MLB as season resumes | St. Louis Cardinals - (stltoday.com)
"Manager Dusty Baker won 97 games with this team last year but was shown the door. The Nats have had injuries, but so has everyone else.”

NL EAST UPDATES:

Trade for a hitter? Phillies could instead put their faith in Maikel Franco, Scott Kingery, Nick Williams - (Philly.com)
"What if, with Manny Machado off in La La Land, the Phillies don’t actually trade for a hitter before the end of the month?"

Sandy Alderson in good spirits nearly month after taking leave of absence from Mets - (NY Daily News)
"Unlike the team he used to preside over, Sandy Alderson appears to be in good spirits."

Marlins win fourth straight behind Pablo Lopez - (MLB.com)
"Martin Prado delivered an RBI double and Cameron Maybin connected on a solo home run, giving the Marlins enough support to take the first two in the three-game set."

Braves’ Ronald Acuna looks right at home in leadoff spot - (AJC.com)
"Ronald Acuna captured the imaginations of Braves fans Friday night, showcasing the five-tool potential that made him baseball’s top prospect."