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Having been swept by the Baltimore Orioles, leaving them 45-53, 8.0 games out in the NL East, what has Washington Nationals’ manager Davey Martinez believing that his club can still compete for a postseason berth at this point?
“We got guys that are going to come back eventually from the IL,” Martinez said after the walk-off loss on Sunday.
“Good players that can help us win, so we just got to keep playing baseball, keep playing hard, look, these guys — I know these guys, you see them, they’re playing hard. They really are. Things just didn’t happen this weekend, but we got to continue to play hard.”
“We’re playing hard, we got to continue to play hard, and things will turn around.”
Go read your links...
NATS BEAT:
Brad Hand's blown save gives Orioles sweep of Nationals - (Washington Times)
"Hand attempted to keep his focus, ready to retake the mound if the replay center in New York deemed Carter Kieboom’s throw home from third beat McKenna."
Nationals get swept by Orioles ahead of trade deadline - (WaPost)
"Brad Hand's ninth-inning struggles handed Washington its fourth straight loss and dropped it eight games back in the National League East."
With the Nats looking like a non-contender for a change, the relief market may get a boost as well. The Nats have been on “dual paths” (both buy and sell) but sell seems likely now. Daniel Hudson’s name has been heard on market, snd presumably Brad Hand may be in play too.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 25, 2021
Nationals swept in Baltimore, putting players further into trade limbo - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals’ hopes of turning their season around before MLB's trade deadline were all but dashed after being swept in Baltimore."
Carter Kieboom starts at third base in Nationals' loss to Orioles - (MLB.com)
"Three months after his last stint in the Major Leagues, Carter Kieboom made his return to the Nats on Saturday."
Hand coughs up lead in ninth, Nats are swept by O's - (MASN)
"With five days to go before the July 30 trade deadline, the Nats are 45-53 and in fourth place in the National League East, though still within striking distance of the first-place Mets if they can get hot in a hurry."
On the Nationals, the trade deadline and the futures of Trea Turner and Juan Soto in Washington. https://t.co/rFWJ4Azblo
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2021
Report: Nationals weighing offers for relievers Brad Hand, Daniel Hudson - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals have engaged in trade talks on relievers Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson ahead of this week’s trade deadline, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Sunday."
Strasburg seeing specialist, Ross to start Monday (plus notes) - (MASN)
"Stephen Strasburg continues to recover his neck strain, and the right-hander will see another specialist Monday in hopes of figuring out how to combat the nagging problem."
As Nationals limp toward trade deadline, Davey Martinez keeps looking forward - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals do have 65 games left to gain seven games on the New York Mets in the division. Yet, more importantly, they have five games until the trade deadline..."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Video: Minor league manager Tripp Keister takes off jersey during ejection - (Larry Brown Sports)
"Minor league manager Tripp Keister is going viral for his ejection during his team’s game on Saturday."
Nationals look like trade deadline seller after being swept by Orioles - (CBSSports.com)
“As if it isn’t jarring enough to lose like that to one of the worst teams in baseball, the reality should be sinking in that the team is due a shakeup.”
Senators skipper Tripp Keister was HEATED.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 25, 2021
So heated, the jersey had to come off. pic.twitter.com/96jugin4Kl
Most untouchable player for every team - (MLB.com)
"Ted Williams comps or not, Soto is going to be the center of everything in Washington for a long time."
Latest From The Nationals - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The Nationals’ will to compete is being tested this trade deadline. After back-to-back losses to the Orioles, the Nats don’t look at all like a contender."
NL EAST UPDATES:
Phillies activate Chase Anderson and place Travis Jankowski on COVID injured list - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The Phillies placed another player, outfielder Travis Jankowski, on the COVID-related injured list Sunday morning.They also optioned left-handed pitcher Cristopher Sanchez to Triple A."
The #Nats have discussed relievers Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson in trades, as @JimBowdenGM reported today on @MLBNetworkRadio. The #BlueJays, known to be active in the bullpen market, are among the teams to inquire on both. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2021
Luis Rojas says Mets' Jacob deGrom is progressing - (New York Daily News)
"There is promising news and questionable news to report on Jacob deGrom."
Marlins, Reds, Rockies should take advantage of MLB trade deadline - (NY Post)
"The Marlins should have Sandy Alcantara on the trade market, just as the Reds should have Luis Castillo and the Rockies should have German Marquez."
Braves lefty Drew Smyly exits start early with knee pain - (AJC.com)
"Braves left-hander Drew Smyly left his start Saturday after four innings because of left knee pain."