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So, no Wild Card either. But we already knew that. There’s still baseball to play, however, if the weather cooperates this afternoon. We’ll see.
Read up on the latest Nationals news while you wait...
NATS BEAT:
Michael Taylor odd man out in Nats' outfield - (MLB.com)
"Taylor is spending time working on revamping his swing, and using the fact that he isn't in the lineup to take extra swings in the cage and watch video of his at-bats."
Voth gets surprise start and delivers in 6-0 win over Mets - (MASN)
"The Mets’ best chance came in their first at-bat. Voth recorded two outs, including a looking strikeout of Brandon Nimmo, to begin the inning."
#Nats No. 27 prospect Austin Voth was stellar on the mound for the @Nationals today, fanning 5 and allowing just 1 hit over 5 scoreless frames to pick up his first career @MLB win: https://t.co/NAOsliOgAg pic.twitter.com/FdgV6ONZrw
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 22, 2018
Nats shut out Mets, but Wild Card hopes end - (MLB.com)
"A season that began with so much promise came to a bittersweet end of sorts Saturday..."
Victor Robles’s center field defense is a work in progress - (WaPost)
"Robles has often plucked a notecard out of his back pocket in center, and he uses it to make subtle in-game adjustments..."
Nationals shut out Mets but are officially eliminated from postseason contention - (WaPo)
"Nothing changed when the out-of-town scoreboard declared their fate official. Elimination became a formality for this team long ago..."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Young fan umpires at Nationals game - (MLB.com)
"But for Vincent, a 10-year-old at Saturday's Mets-Nationals game in D.C., it was no laughing matter -- this was a business trip. Look at his get-up!"
Meet 10-year-old Vincent Stio, the world's biggest fan of @MiLB and @MLB umpires.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 22, 2018
We were thrilled to have him at #Nats park for his 1st Major League game! pic.twitter.com/SxFfyBsp25
More Managers May Face Guillotine This Fall - Forbes
"On shakier ground are three inexperienced managers who turned in disappointing seasons: Dave Martinez in Washington, Mickey Calloway in Queens, and Gabe Kapler in Philadelphia."
Three up, three down: Old rotation has propelled A's to verge of playoffs - (Los Angeles Times)
"The Houston Astros just fled Fresno, leaving the Grizzlies/Tacos to pair with the last major league team in need of a triple-A home: the Washington Nationals. Flight time between Washington and Fresno: six hours and 20 minutes."
1. Tony
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 22, 2018
2. Zim IBB
3. Wieters 3-run shot pic.twitter.com/oTNKVTFYGf
NL EAST UPDATES:
Mets assistant GM: We were right to hold onto our starters - (New York Post)
"The debate over whether to maintain the current starting rotation or trade pieces to address weaknesses isn’t settled, but the Mets lately have made a case for keeping the unit intact."
Gabe Kapler soaks in the sting of elimination, stores it for motivation next season - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Gabe Kapler knows what the Atlanta Braves were feeling as they streamed euphorically out of the dugout Saturday after clinching the National League East with a 5-3 win over the Phillies."
Austin Dean has 3 RBIs in win over Reds - (MLB.com)
"Ranked by MLB Pipeline as Miami's No. 27 prospect, [Austin] Dean enjoyed a breakthrough Minor League season, combining to hit .345 with 12 home runs and 68 RBIs at Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans."
Braves focus on potential NLDS matchups - (MLB.com)
"I stayed up late, I didn't sleep," Anthopoulos said. "I started looking at playoff rotations and opponents and lefty/righty [splits]. That was the first time I really allowed myself to look ahead."
NL East, you’ve been chopped.
— MLB (@MLB) September 22, 2018
The @Braves have #CLINCHED the division. pic.twitter.com/osameRp6lr