Washington Nationals

Daniel Murphy singles twice on Sunday Night Baseball

Mon, Sep 18th 8:29am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Daniel Murphy went 2-for-4 with a run scored as the Nationals beat the Dodgers 7-1 on Sunday night.

Fantasy Impact: The 32-year-old Murphy is finishing September strong. For the month he's batting .318/.400/.500. Along with Jose Altuve and Jonathan Schoop, Murphy is among fantasy's elite second basemen.

Ryan Zimmerman homers twice to tie a career high

Mon, Sep 18th 8:27am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Ryan Zimmerman went 3-for-4 with two homers, four RBIs, and two runs scored as the Nationals beat the Dodgers 7-1 on Sunday Night Baseball.

Fantasy Impact: The two homers give Zimmerman 33 for the season, which ties a career high. He's rebounded from a few down years incredibly well. However, he was such a bargain in fantasy drafts this year that he could prove to be overvalued next spring. Still, enjoy his 2017 production for the next couple of weeks. He's hitting .301 with a .917 OPS.

Stephen Strasburg picks up the win on Sunday Night baseball

Mon, Sep 18th 7:30am EDT
By John Aubin

Stephen Strasburg (14-4) earned the victory over the Dodgers on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out eight in the 7-1 win.

Fantasy Impact: Strasburg is on fire right now. Over his last six starts, the 29-year-old pitcher has four wins, a 0.66 ERA, and 0.78 WHIP. Strasburg faces the Mets in his next start which should be a good matchup.

Anthony Rendon swats 24th homer

Sun, Sep 17th 9:35am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Anthony Rendon went 2-for-3 with a homer, a single, and a walk as the Nationals lost to the Dodgers on Saturday, 3-2.

Fantasy Impact: Despite not homering until April 29th this year Rendon leads all National League position player in fWAR. He's batting .304 with a .942 OPS through mid-September. He's deserving of MVP votes this year.

Bryce Harper (knee, calf) hitting of a tee and doing some light running

Sun, Sep 17th 9:33am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Bryce Harper is beginning to get himself back into game shape following August's devastating knee and calf injuries. In addition to playing catch the young superstar is now hitting off a tee and doing some light running, according to manager Dusty Baker. (Source: Chelsea Janes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It remains to be seen whether Harper has enough time to make it back for the Nationals' playoff run. However, it's growing increasingly unlikely that he contributes to fantasy teams again in 2017. In 106 games this year Harper hit .326 with 29 homers.

Edwin Jackson gets crushed in loss to Dodgers

Sat, Sep 16th 7:27am EDT
By John Aubin

Edwin Jackson (5-6) allowed seven runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss Friday against the Dodgers.

Fantasy Impact: Jackson had a nice stretch for the Nationals when they picked him up to join the rotation. But he has fallen apart and over his last three starts has three losses and a 12.29 ERA. Fantasy owners should be dropping Jackson in all leagues.

Victor Robles triples in Nats win

Fri, Sep 15th 8:16am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Victor Robles went 2-for-4 with a triple, a single, an RBI, and two runs scored on Thursday night as the Nationals beat the Braves 5-2.

Fantasy Impact: Robles is now 3-for-9 with two extra base hits to start his big league career. While he has unbelievable dynasty league upside, he doesn't figure to play much down the stretch this year to help season long fantasy teams.

Sean Doolittle picks up his 21st save of the season

Fri, Sep 15th 5:39am EDT
By John Aubin

Sean Doolittle pitched a scoreless ninth inning during to collect his 21st save of the season during Thursday's win over Atlanta.

Fantasy Impact: Doolittle is just what the Nationals needed when they were struggling to find a closer. Since acquiring the 30-year-old reliever, Doolittle has yet to blow a save for the Nationals. He should be owned in all fantasy leagues.

Tanner Roark gives up two runs in win over Braves

Fri, Sep 15th 5:36am EDT
By John Aubin

Tanner Roark (13-9) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven through six innings during Thursday's win over Atlanta.

Fantasy Impact: After going through a rough patch late in June and early July, Roark has turned things around. Over his last six starts, the 30-year-old righty has four wins, 3.35 ERA, and 0.98 WHIP. Roark is worth owning in all fantasy leagues.

Trea Turner steals 40th base

Thu, Sep 14th 9:07am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Trea Turner went 3-for-4 with three singles, two runs scored, and a stolen base as the Nationals lost to the Braves 8-2.

Fantasy Impact: It's scary to think how many steals Turner would have finished with this season had he not spent time on the 60 day disabled list. In just 351 at bats this year the young shortstop has 40 steals, nine homers, and is batting .285.

Max Scherzer gives up seven runs in loss to the Braves

Thu, Sep 14th 5:49am EDT
By John Aubin

Max Scherzer (14-6) picked up the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits and six walks over six innings Wednesday against the Braves. He struck out seven batters.

Fantasy Impact: Scherzer who is having a Cy Young caliber season was uncharacteristically wild on Wednesday night with a season-high six walks. Scherzer's next start will be on Tuesday against the Braves in what could be a two start week.

Gio Gonzalez has tough night in loss to Braves

Wed, Sep 13th 11:06am EDT
By John Aubin

Gio Gonzalez (14-7) allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings while taking the loss Tuesday against the Braves. He struck out eight.

Fantasy Impact: Gonzalez has had one of the best seasons of his career but has been struggling of late. Over his last three starts, the 31-year-old lefty has a 5.68 ERA and 1.56 ERA. Gonzalez hopes to get back on track when he faces the Dodgers in his next start.

Jayson Werth goes hitless in win

Wed, Sep 6th 9:09am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Jayson Werth went 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Tuesday as the Nationals beat the Marlins 2-1.

Fantasy Impact: Werth is just 3-for-26 since returning from the disabled list at the end of August. He doesn't need to be owned or started in fantasy leagues as the playoffs approach.

A.J. Cole gives up one earned run in win over Marlins

Tue, Sep 5th 11:54am EDT
By John Aubin

A.J. Cole (2-4) allowed two runs, just one earned, on five hits and four walks while striking out five batters through 5 2/3 innings during Monday's win over Miami.

Fantasy Impact: Cole has only given up one earned run in each of his last two starts. But the 25-year-old righty has had four walks in each of those games. Cole's good fortune will run out if he continues to have control problems. And until he cuts down the walks he cannot be trusted in anything but deep fantasy leagues.

Michael Taylor hits 13th homer in win

Sun, Sep 3rd 12:01pm EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Michael Taylor went 2-for-4 with a game tying homer in the eighth inning on Saturday night. The Nationals would go on to defeat the Brewers 3-2.

Fantasy Impact: The home run was Taylor's first in over a month. He's now hitting .267 on the year to go along with a .782 OPS and 12 steals. The 26-year-old doesn't need to be rostered in most fantasy leagues, though he makes for an intriguing DFS play in the right matchups.

Howie Kendrick keeps hitting in August

Thu, Aug 31st 10:56am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Howie Kendrick went 1-for-4 with a strikeout on Wednesday night as Washington defeated Miami 4-0.

Fantasy Impact: It was a quiet game for the outfielder. With Trea Turner back in the fold Kendrick likely won't lead off much in September, but he was batting fifth last night, which is still a fantasy friendly spot in the order. In 84 August at-bats Kendrick is hitting .357 with five homers.

Matt Wieters singles three times in win

Tue, Aug 29th 10:15am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Matt Wieters went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored on Monday as Washington defeated Miami 11-2.

Fantasy Impact: The veteran catcher has been struggling mightily lately, but he is at least 5-for-10 in his past three games. Still, fantasy players in single catcher formats could do better than his .238/.295/.362 triple slash line on the year.

Adam Lind hits 10th homer

Sat, Aug 26th 12:03pm EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Adam Lind went 2-for-4 with a homer on Friday night as the Nationals fell to the Mets 4-2.

Fantasy Impact: The homer was his 10th of the year and was a ninth inning solo shot off Mets reliever A.J. Ramos. Lind continues to play well in limited time and should be considered by DFS players whenever he's in the lineup.

Brian Goodwin hits 13th homer on Thursday

Fri, Aug 11th 12:01am EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Brian Goodwin went 2-for-4 with a homer, a single, two RBIs, and two runs scored on Thursday night.

Fantasy Impact: The 26-year-old added his fifth stolen base of the year as the Nationals beat the Marlins 3-2. Goodwin has been playing well for Washington's depleted outfield but isn't much of a fantasy factor in standard leagues.

Erick Fedde gives up four runs in second major league start

Mon, Aug 7th 5:40am EDT
By John Aubin

Erick Fedde surrendered four runs on eight hits with four walks and seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings during Sunday's no-decision against the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: Fedde was filling in for Gio Gonzalez who missed a start for paternity reasons. The rookie has not done well in his two appearances in the majors giving up 11 runs in 9 1/3 innings over work. Fedde is still a good prospect but needs more work in the minors.