Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Kyle Schwarber named NL Player of the Week; Getting in the fight + more...

So what were Davey Martinez’s first thoughts on the Washington Nationals’ 8-3 homestand in the immediate aftermath of the club’s 5-2 win over the New York Mets on Sunday?

“It’s funny because you sit there — I’m sitting there, and I said, ‘Man, I wish we didn’t have a day off tomorrow and we just keep on playing,’” Martinez said. “... but I understand the boys probably need a little rest, but let’s come back, we go to Philly, another team in our division, and let’s go 1-0 [Tuesday] and keep playing the way we’re playing.”

The Nationals have gone 1-0 in seven of their last eight games going into this week’s two-game set in Citizens Bank Park.

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Schwarber is NL Player of the Week (plus All-Star voting update) - (MASN)
"Is it any wonder the greatest power display in one homestand in Nationals history was good enough to be deemed the best performance of the week by anyone in the National League?"

The Nationals might not finish this fight, but at least they started it - (WaPost)
"It might be too early to believe in the Nats. It also might be too early to give up."

Kyle Schwarber named National League Player of the Week - (Washington Times)
"After clubbing five home runs in the span of two days, Washington Nationals left fielder Kyle Schwarber was named National League Player of the Week on Monday."

Nationals' Kyle Schwarber named National League Player of the Week - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Kyle Schwarber is carrying the Nationals' offense as of late with his recent hot streak, and the team's new slugger was recognized as the National League's Player of the Week Monday."

Nationals are back in NL East mix after strong homestand - (Washington Times)
"'You should’ve saw their faces,' Martinez said. 'They were laughing, they were excited about it.'"

Kyle Schwarber’s home run surge has sparked Nationals offense - (WaPost)
"Washington’s outfielder has hit a home run in more than a fifth of his plate appearances since moving to the leadoff spot June 8."

Why the Nats' surge might be legit and why it might not - (MASN)
"Kyle Schwarber first said it one week earlier, unprompted, at the end of a Zoom session with reporters in which he was trying to temper recent suggestions the 2021 Nationals were going nowhere fast."

Nationals Notebook: Leading off the lineup, leading into summer - (WTOP)
"Kyle Schwarber hit .385 with 6 homers and 11 RBI from the leadoff spot, while Trea Turner hit .444 and scored five runs while ending his homerless streak Saturday."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

The Complicated Mix That’s Hurting Juan Soto - (FanGraphs)
"But as I mentioned, Soto’s groundball rate was something to monitor, and two things have changed for him this season."

Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber named Players of the Week - (MLB.com)
"Five of Schwarber's six homers came in a span of two days against the rival Mets over the weekend."

Major League Baseball's crackdown on sticky substances begins with regular checks on pitchers Monday - (ESPN)
"'I think I've seen everything in baseball, but this is new, setting a new precedent,' said Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker, in his 24th season as a big league manager after 19 seasons as a player."

Mets’ Steve Cohen talks Jacob deGrom contract extension, trade deadline philosophy - (nj.com)
"During last weekend’s road series against the Washington Nationals, Cohen spoke with several reporters about some topics surrounding the Mets."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies vs. Nationals: Important week for Phils in NL East standings - (NBC Sports Washington)
"This is an important week for the Phils, who have been above .500 once in their last 26 games and have clung to that mark for much of the season."

Jacob deGrom allows one hit in Mets win over Braves - (New York Daily News)
"DeGrom allowed just one shaky hit in five innings."

Kyle Muller throws four strong innings in first Braves start - (MLB.com)
"Atlanta’s No. 5 prospect also impressed in four innings of work on the mound, striking out three while allowing one run on a hit and two walks."

Marlins Anniversary: Derrek Lee rocks John Rocker, Fish stun Braves - (Fish Stripes)
"During his time with the Atlanta Braves, left-handed reliever John Rocker was certainly controversial though largely reliable."