Butterfly Effects & The Jason Heyward Signing

’Twas the winter of 2015-16. Jason Heyward wasn’t the best-available player in a well-stocked free agent class. But he was a high-quality performer and still tantalizingly young (26). While hardly a traditional corner outfield star due to his middling power, Heyward was well-established as a quality hitter and superlative defender and baserunner.

MLB Trade Rumors

Yoan Moncada Tunes Out Speculation About Contract

Yoán Moncada isn’t worried about contract extensions, leaving those sorts of dealings to his agent and the White Sox to discuss.

Chicago-A Official Site

If Mike Shildt Has Any Moves To Recharge His Offense, The Time Is Now

In one sense, Mike Shildt is right when he defends his hitters and pushes back against outside opinions that call for the shaking and stirring of his lineup for Monday’s NLCS Game 3.

101 ESPN

Handling Of Max Scherzer & Adam Wainwright Highlights Difference Between Cardinals & Nationals

When another epic clash between starters in some postseason game years from now stirs memories of Adam Wainwright and Max Scherzer hanging zeroes on the Busch Stadium scoreboard in Game 2 of this National League Championship Series, don’t forget the two decisions that loomed large in what showed on that scoreboard in the end.

BenFred

Nationals Or Cardinals? Get All The Info Here

The Cardinals and Nationals each faced elimination on Wednesday, but both teams survived to advance to the National League Championship Series, which begins Friday in St. Louis.

St. Louis Official Site

Nationals' Big Three Pitchers Star As Starters & In Relief

With their time-tested trio of twirlers, the Washington Nationals have what is considered the top starting pitching threesome in the National League.

Post-Dispatch

Five Keys For The Cardinals To Beat The Nationals In The NLCS

It was after midnight Wednesday night before the Cardinals knew who they would be playing in the NL Championship Series, and that Friday night’s opening game will be at Busch Stadium instead of in Los Angeles.

STL Sports Page

Who Has NLCS Edge? Position By Position Look

The Nationals didn't win the NL East, settling for the Wild Card Game, where they advanced in some part due to a monumental Milwaukee fielding mistake. Then, they toppled the mighty 106-win Dodgers in a thrilling extra-innings Game 5 topper to the NLDS, which earns them the prize of facing the Cardinals ... who finished off their own five-game NLDS by putting up a 10-run first inning on their way to a 13-1 blowout of the Braves.

St. Louis Official Site

Matt Adams Boosts Nationals On Both Sides During Game One Win

Matt Adams was no hero during the Nationals' 3-2 win against the Rockies on Wednesday at Nationals Park. He didn’t drive in a run, he didn’t strike out a side and he really didn’t make any sort of jaw-dropping plays for those in attendance for Game 1 of the doubleheader.

Washington Official Site

Stephen Strasburg Is Fifth Pitcher In 50 Years To Do This....At Bat

For a moment, Stephen Strasburg ditched his usual stoic and serious demeanor. His three-run homer had just capped one of the Nationals’ biggest innings of the season -- an eight-run third inning to catapult the Nats to a 13-4 rout over the Braves on Thursday night at SunTrust Park. And although it had not dawned on him until he reached the top step of the dugout, it was time to dance.

Washington Official Site

Tyler Skaggs Passes Away

Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs passed away on Monday in Southlake, Texas, the Angels announced in a statement. Skaggs was 27. The Angels’ scheduled game against the Rangers at Globe Life Park was postponed as a result.

Anaheim Official Site

No-No Thanks: It Would Be 'A Hassle' For Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke has accomplished a lot in his career, but the one thing he hasn’t notched in 429 big league starts is a no-hitter.

Arizona Official Site

Eloy Jimenez's First Homer Dinger A 462-Foot Blast

Eloy Jiménez went where very few White Sox players have gone before with his 462-foot home run leading off the fourth inning of a 7-5 White Sox victory over the Nationals Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Chicago-A Official Site

Patrick Corbin Spins Shutout Against Marlins

Soon after the Nationals’ wild series-opening win over the Miami Marlins on Friday, manager Dave Martinez conceded that it was hardly the way they drew it up. Few Nationals games this season have been.

Washington Official Site

Juan Soto Looks Spry, Set To Return From Back Issue

Juan Soto walked up to manager Dave Martinez and head athletic trainer Paul Lessard and gave a thumbs up. He had just completed a full pregame routine, finishing off with batting practice on the field before running the bases to test his back, which had bothered him for most of the past week.

Washington Official Site

Video: Dakota Hudson Strikes Out First Batter Faced 5-2-19

If someone tells you that hitting a baseball is easy, laugh at them! 😱 pic.twitter.com/pQoBJyKAJe

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 2, 2019

The Adam Wainwright Rebirth Is Paying Big Dividends For The Surging Cardinals

I counted Adam Wainwright out.

KSDK

Nine Hitters Who Need To Bounce Back In 2019

At this time of year, many teams are searching for upgrades, whether by throwing money at free agents or addressing needs via the trade market.

St. Louis Official Site

Nationals' Offer To Bryce Harper 'Best We Can Do'

Friday at Nationals Park was supposed to be about introducing Patrick Corbin to fans, but arguably the largest news item to come from the day wasn't about Corbin at all.

106.7 The Fan

The Cardinals Need To Deliver On Their Plan A

A year ago, the Cardinals and Marlins agreed to a trade that would have sent Giancarlo Stanton to St. Louis. Stanton exercised the no-trade clause in his contract, and ended up with the Yankees instead.

Fangraphs