The Nationals, for once in this horrifically terrible 2018 season, caught a break. Go figure.
Here’s what’s Phresh from Philly.
Rosenthal: Davey Martinez likely to return
"The Nats’ owners, who do not seem to like paying one manager, much less two, would be disinclined to jump on Joe Girardi for say, $3 million a year. A new manager also would be the Nats’ eighth in 14 years, reflecting poorly on ownership’s decision to part with Dusty Baker after last season, and Rizzo’s choice of Martinez as Baker’s replacement."
The Pyramid Rating System’s All-Time Washington Nationals (Fangraphs)
In an all-time ranking of the Nats using some crazy sabermetrics, including the Senators of the NL and AL, as well as this iteration of the franchise, Walter Johnson still ranks higher than Max Scherzer, and Goose Goslin and Frank Howard shine brighter than Bryce Harper and everyone else. (Ryan Zimmerman is the team's best first baseman, ever, though!)
Nationals closer Sean Doolittle says latest bullpen session is best yet (WaPo)
Doolittle will throw a simulated game Friday after finally being able to complete a bullpen. Apparently, his foot finally feels (somewhat) better.
The Nationals’ lack of edge makes it easy to push them over one (WaPo)
The Nats are a team full of guys you want to take home to your parents. Teams like that don't win a lot of World Series rings, it would seem.
Harrison Bader: Rookie of the Year? (Fangraphs)
The NL Rookie of the Year race will come down to Juan Soto vs. Ronald Acuña, Jr., but it's possible that Harrison Bader, Cardinals outfielder, has a better case with the most offensive WAR over the fewest plate appearances, and the best defense out of the three.
After surveying fans, Nationals stick with same start times for 2019 (WaPo)
In a survey, fans overwhelmingly chose 7:05 PM start times despite later and earlier options being made available.
Playing spoiler to the Phillies and an idea (Sweetspot: Nationals Baseball)
"There is an illogical next step taken, that having Werth or a Werth like guy on this team would have cured at least some, if not most, of their ills this year."