The Morning Briefing: Nationals travel up I-95 to City of Brotherly Love

Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball headlines, news, and the latest news for June 22, 2021

by Richard Wachtel

Updated June 22, 2021

Good Tuesday morning, Washington Nationals Fans!

Thank you for starting the day with us.

Today’s Game Time Weather via National Weather Service: Showers likely, mainly before 7 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

This week’s games:

Tuesday, June 22, 2021: Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies; 7:05 pm EST
Wednesday, June 23, 2021: Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies; 1:05 pm EST
Thursday, June 24, 2021: Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins; 7:10 pm EST
Friday, June 25, 2021: Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins; 7:10 pm EST
Saturday, June 26, 2021: Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins; 4:10 pm EST

Today’s Top Story: Nationals travel to Philadelphia for quick two-game series against Phillies

Coming off a series win against the New York Mets at home - the longest homestand of the season - the Washington Nationals will try to keep rising in the NL East as they travel to the City of Brotherly Love and face the second-place Philadelphia Phillies. Even though this is a quick series, the Nationals have a chance to leap over the Phillies with two wins.

Click here to read our full series preview.

As of this morning the game will be played tonight; however, there might be a slight chance of postponing the game. Make sure that you follow us on Twitter to get the latest weather and game time updates.

Schwarber’s earns NL Player of the Week honors after amazing weekend

Who’s to say that after hitting five homers over two days, that people in the baseball world will not pay attention? Monday afternoon, MLB announced that Kyle Schwarber got the mention and honors.

It’s the first time in Schwarber’s career that he earned the weekly award, and the first by a Nationals player this season. The last Washington player to win a weekly or monthly award was former third-baseman Anthony Rendon, who won Player of the Month in August 2019.

Over the weekend, Schwarber hit three home runs against the New York Mets, and on Sunday, he became the sixth player in franchise history to launch three balls out of the park in a single game.

Not a bad way to cap off the weekend!

Perspective: What should the Nationals do if they become “buyers” at the trade deadline?

Brandon takes a look at what the Nationals should do at the trade deadline if they become “buyers.”

From the article: “Looking this roster over, it is obvious that the main need are some bats and that comes with improving infield pieces. The outfield is pretty set with Schwarber heating up, Soto being Soto, and Robles being a plus defender in center field. Two positions I have identified that could use an upgrade are second base and the obvious third base position.

First, taking a look at second base, it has been primarily occupied by Josh Harrison and he has done a pretty decent job there this season. But it is still not considered “strong” and when he has to sit out a game, there is usually no Luis Garcia to replace him since he spends the majority of his time in Rochester. Harrison is batting .265, has a .344 OBP, .721 OPS and only four home runs on the season.”

Read the full article here.

MLB News: Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony returns to unticked event

Things are getting back to normal now that more and more Americans are getting vaccinated. People are heading to stadiums and sporting events. One event that is returning to normal is the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.

Yesterday afternoon in a press release, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced that the Sept. 8 Induction Ceremony will return to its standard seating format. Tickets will not be required for the event’s free-lawn seating area. The Induction Ceremony, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8, on the grounds of Cooperstown’s Clark Sports Center, will celebrate the inductions of Class of 2020 members Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker. There were no baseball players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021.

While the ceremony will take place outside the Clark Sports Center, the Hall of Fame’s Annual Award Presentation will remain an indoor, televised-only event on July 24, with the Award winners or representatives being invited back to Cooperstown to be recognized at the Induction Ceremony.