Washington Nationals: Scherzer and Strasburg finish strong

The end of Florida action for the Washington Nationals and farewells to three veterans lead the Daily Washingtonian. Also, Matt Adams joins the fun.

Today is Monday, March 26. The Grapefruit League is over. If you are lucky enough to have tickets for Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins then you are the only people able to watch the game.

Lucky ducks.

More from District on Deck

After off starts, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg pitched well in their last Florida starts. Scherzer faces Homer Bailey Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati against the Reds.

Yes, we are excited.

Also, it appears there will be no MASN simulcasts this year on WUSA Channel 9. In years past, 20-25 games aired on the DC CBS station, but MASN makes no mention of that continuing. Unless the Nats appear on FOX 5, you will need to have cable or a dish to catch Washington in market on television.

Again, MASN is not offering local streaming to subscribers.

Earlier, 106.7 The Fan signed a long-term extension keeping the club on that station the next five years. Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler are great announcers who call a game well.

Unless something strange happens between now and Thursday, Washington will carry eight in the bullpen. We will have something on that for lunch time. Drew Douglas is crunching numbers and will give you what numbers the starting pitchers will have this year.

Now, the missing links:

MLB Trade Rumors on Nats releases

Connor Byrne goes through the semi-surprising release of three players over the weekend. Reid Brignac, Alejandro de Aza and Ryan Rayburn were let go. Although they were not expected to make the final cuts, all three were on minor-league deals. They are free agents and we wish them well.

We take a shot at roster prediction

Drew Douglas took another shot after Saturday’s options and cuts to give one more crack at predicting the 25-man roster headed for Cincinnati. He correctly guessed 24 of 25 and got the eight-man bullpen right. He will take his 96 and run to his next exam.

MASN on Matt Adams in LF

Mark Zuckerman reports that the Nats will use Matt Adams in the outfield early this season. Aside from being an Adam Lind clone, with the depth of quality outfielders in the organization that they would throw him out there. Brian Goodwin is the only regular outfielder on the bench. Wilmer Difo can play in left, but not well.

Howie Kendrick is expected to fill in at second for the injured Daniel Murphy.

Hagerstown Herald-Mail on Suns stadium

Dave McMillion writes on a common problem for minor league teams. An older stadium in need of repair and the city reluctant to help build a new facility. For the A-Ball Hagerstown Suns, their park is 90 and the city has other athletic priorities needing money. Hopefully, all parties can sit and reach a deal serving everyone’s interests.

Next: Montero makes the Nats

Until tomorrow!

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