Wire Taps: Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves’ finale postponed; Juan Soto and Will Smith beef origins + more Nats links...

No Nationals baseball last night. No Nationals baseball tonight. Ugh. Well, we’re trying to finish S3 of Dark on Netflix anyway, so maybe we’ll finally get it done. #nospoilers

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

The Juan Soto-Will Smith beef, explained - (WaPost)
"The Braves reliever didn't appreciate Soto watching him warm up from well outside the on-deck circle."

Wednesday's game vs. Braves postponed - (MLB.com)
"One of the Nationals’ priorities had been keeping the bullpen fresh for the extra seven innings this weekend."

Davey Martinez was a young player in an older clubhouse. Now he's managing a similar roster - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals had the oldest roster in baseball last season, but the additions of Kieboom and García as well as several rookie relievers have started to bring that average age down a bit."

Nats hope Kendrick is ready Friday, need starter Saturday - (MASN)
"With an off-day scheduled Thursday, manager Davey Martinez felt it made more sense to sit Kendrick again and hope he returns Friday..."

Notes: Martinez misses fans; Romero's role - (MLB.com)
"Howie Kendrick has not played since Aug. 14 because of tight hamstrings, and he could return to the lineup when the Nationals open their home series against the Marlins on Friday."

Mike Rizzo unsure about Stephen Strasburg’s chances to return - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Mike Rizzo said on The Junkies on Wednesday morning Strasburg will see a nerve specialist Thursday for a second opinion."

Young guys fit right in with a Nats team looking for repeat - (MASN)
"What separates these guys from guys on other teams who might just be gaining experience in a shortened season?"

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Baseball America Prospect Report - (Baseball America)
"No. 2 prospect Luis Garcia continued the quick start to his big league career by collecting three more hits."

STEVE DeSHAZO: Nationals are wobbly now but could be dangerous later - (fredericksburg.com)
"Thanks to the return of Juan Soto and a sparkling début by 20-year-old Luis Garcia, the offense has improved after a dreadful start."

Is your favorite MLB team cursed? - (ESPN)
"If they're cursed at all, it's that they suffered the extremely minor curse of winning their one World Series the year before a pandemic..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies hope Spencer Howard’s third start will be a charm as he goes for his first major-league win - (Philadelphia Inquirer)
"When he faces the Blue Jays on Thursday, the top pitching prospect will seek to have better command of his offspeed pitches to help make his fastball better."

Mets are needlessly making this Steven Matz saga worse - (NY Post)
"Regarding the Mets and Steven Matz, this need not be complicated, no matter how much Luis Rojas channeled Gregory Hines on Wednesday afternoon with his tap dancing..."

Pat Venditte has right oblique strain - (MLB.com)
"Still experiencing soreness, Venditte underwent an MRI on Wednesday, and the club is awaiting the results to determine next steps."

An excited Pache more than ready for debut - (MLB.com)
“'I know he’s going to be excited about being out here,' Braves manager Brian Snitker said. 'He’s going to get gassed up and I’m excited about watching that kid play.'"