Wire Taps: Washington Nationals place Adam Eaton on IL; Five games in four days with the Marlins + more...

Kyle McGowin is up to 6 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings now, over which he’s given up one hit, walked two batters, struck out 12, and held opposing hitters to a .050/.136/.050 line. McGowin and his slider have been a revelation since the 28-year-old right-hander was called up early this month.

“I said this before,” Davey Martinez told reporters after he called on McGowin in the bottom of the 10th inning on Wednesday with his team up by two after blowing a 2-1 lead in the 9th.

For a pitcher who spent quite a long time at Fredericksburg, VA’s Alternate Training Site as he tried to refine his slider, it’s been a rewarding experience with a lot of hard work paying off.

“He’s worked really hard,” his manager added. “The biggest thing, and I tell these kids, you have to create your own identity, you got to know who you are, what kind of player you are, what kind of hitter you are, what kind of pitcher you are.

“McGowin went down there and figured that out, and he’s utilizing all his pitches very well.

“He’s doing well. But he did that. Nobody else could do it for him. He went down there and figured everything out, came back here, and like I said, he’s very confident of what he’s trying to do.

“He’s got two different kinds of sliders, he knows when to throw the slow one, he knows when to throw the hard one, he’s using his fastball a little better. And like I said, he’s doing way better, understands how to play the game and what he wants to do when he goes out there.”

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Eaton placed on IL with fractured finger - (MASN)
"Eaton joins a long list of Nationals that are set to end the season on the IL, including Stephen Strasburg, Howie Kendrick, Starlin Castro, Sean Doolittle and Tanner Rainey."

Adam Eaton’s team option among biggest offseason decisions facing Nationals - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Based on his 2020 numbers alone, Eaton hasn’t shown he’s capable of hitting at the top of the lineup like he has in years past."

Noll catching on in return to the Nats - (MASN)
"It has been a very good return to the Nationals for Jake Noll this week. So far, he has gone 2-for-3 with a pair of singles against Tampa Bay as a pinch-hitter and designated hitter."

It's too soon to worry about Carter Kieboom, these stars stumbled early too - (NBC Sports Washington)
"So, maybe Kieboom isn't Soto, but who is? Chances are he will still be a good player based on his pedigree before the majors..."

A closer look at the Nationals’ debuts, minor-league system and future – (The Athletic)
“The major-league roster is solid enough that they can probably contend as long as their pitching is reasonably healthy, which it wasn’t this year.” - Keith Law

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

MLB awards watch: Picking a frontrunner for each major race, including White Sox's Tim Anderson for AL MVP - (CBS Sports)
"Which team has been the biggest disappointment this season? 'There are actually quite a few to choose from, which is unfortunate. The Nationals and Angels are certainly the most noteworthy.'"

Tim Anderson, Trea Turner's career years don't need asterisks - (USA TODAY)
"Turner, the Washington Nationals’ shortstop, leads the major leagues with 66 hits, has a pair of double-digit hitting streaks and, with an elite combo of power and speed."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Jacob DeGrom Just Keeps Throwing Faster - (FiveThirtyEight)
"There was no better pitcher in Major League Baseball over the last two seasons than Jacob deGrom, and in this shortened season he had taken his performance to another level."

Revisiting 1st round of 2016 MLB draft when Phillies took Mickey Moniak - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Mickey Moniak, called up by the Phillies Wednesday, has not performed in the minor leagues the way you'd hope a No. 1 overall pick would."

Sixto Sanchez’s big start key in Miami Marlins playoff hunt - (Miami Herald)
"Top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez is quickly living up to his hype and is pivotal for the Miami Marlins through their run to the MLB playoffs"

Ten games to go until playoffs, and here’s where Braves stand - (AJC.com)
"The waning days of the regular season – the pennant stretch, to use the vernacular held over from baseball’s pre-divisions era -- just feel different this year."