Wire Taps: Hunter Strickland anger management; Nationals reconfigure rotation for Mets series; Anthony Rendon exits after HBP

The Nats get a day off today, which means they can rest up after flying cross-country, which is great, but it’s also a day to interrupt the Mets’ crazy mid-August momentum.

Here’s the scoop from Citi Field:

How punching a door and breaking his hand led Hunter Strickland to get the anger help he needed (The Athletic)
Strickland had always been plagued by anger management issues: punching doors, plunking batters over years-dormant disputes. Finally, after being asked by the media if he was just an angry guy, losing his job and nearly his career, Strickland went to go get some help, read some books, talk to his uncle, a life coach. Then, he realized that even though he wasn't angry all the time, there were parts of him that snapped without warning, and now confronts his demons head-on.

With Max Scherzer still out, Nats adjust rotation for Mets (MASN)
Scherzer has never really been injured like this, so he's struggling with the day-to-day — but the Nats will still send Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, and Aníbal Sánchez to the hill against the Mets, skipping Erick Fedde's turn for now.

Joe Ross steps up again to pitch Nats to series sweep (MASN)
“That’s a good sweep,” said Gerardo Parra, who led the charge offensively today with a three-run homer. “That’s a good sweep, because we go to New York (and) these guys are playing really good right now.”

Max Scherzer expected to miss another start (MLB.com)
Scherzer felt discomfort after playing catch, so the Nats shut it down: when he's back, they want him back for good.

Anthony Rendon exits with sore toe after HBP (MLB.com)
Davey Martinez didn't seem too concerned after the Nats iced his foot, but Rendon once missed serious time with a hairline fracture in his left big toe, so proceed with caution.

Ross, Nats hold off Giants to secure sweep (MLB.com)
Ross grew up rooting for the A's but made his way to the occasional Giants game — and in San Francisco, he looked like the pitcher he was advertised to be, perhaps because he was at home and relaxed in front of what felt like a home crowd. If the Nats ever decide to trade him, the Giants and A's should be interested.

Bowden: 11 minor leaguers who are ready to help their big-league teams now (The Athletic)
Jesus Luzardo is on this list (who says the Nats can't develop pitching!), but so is Carter Kieboom, who Bowden thinks is "likely to succeed in the next major-league opportunity he gets."

Poll: Predict The NL's Wild-Card Teams (MLBTR)
The heavyweight fighters in the bout are, oddly, the Nationals and Mets, though the Nats have better odds than almost every other team (knock on wood, folks).

Minor league pitcher Steven Fuentes suspended 50 games (MASN)
Fuentes joins a short list of Nationals who have also been suspended, which includes only one forty-man name: Raudy Read.