Orioles (24-65)

The O’s got swept again, but Manny is an All-Star (even if I doubt we’ll see him play in an Orioles jersey).

Congratulations to Manny Machado, who was selected as the #ASG AL starting SS and will represent the #Orioles in D.C.! #Birdland⁠ ⁠ pic.twitter.com/2QygWiUXfb

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 8, 2018

But it looks like the future is bright…

LHP Alex Wells and 3B Ryan Mountcastle have been chosen to participate in the 2018 Sirius/XM All-Star Futures Game in Washington D.C. on July 15. Wells, a native of Newcastle, Australia, will represent the O’s as a member of the World Roster, while Mountcastle will compete as a member of the U.S. Roster

Nationals (45-44)

Last week the Nat’s had fallen below .500 after getting swept by the Red Sox and panic was starting to set in. Then the team held a players-only meeting on Wednesday, led by CY young award-winning pitcher Max Scherzer.

Congratulations to Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer and Sean Doolittle who will represent DC in DC at this year's @MLB All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/sMoIwLvHj1

— #VoteTrea (@Nationals) July 8, 2018

The next day, the Nat’s found themselves down 9-0 against the Marlins (36-55) and panic had turned into fear. Could a team with this much talent really be this bad? Apparently not because the greatest comeback in Nationals history took place behind Trea Turners 8 RBI night and the Nat’s won 14-12.

Friday, Washington won a one-run game 3-2 behind Mark Reynolds second career walk-off home run.

Reynolds decided that one night of heroics weren’t enough, and on Saturday had himself a career day.

Mark Reynolds became the 4th player to go 5-5 or better with 10 RBI Saturday

3 players have done it the last 2 seasons. Only 1 player did it from 1920-2016. pic.twitter.com/buw03z1UY3

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 8, 2018

Washington racked up a modest 14 runs before the night was over, 10 of them coming from Reynolds.

The four-game sweep was almost in their grasp, but the Marlins finally figured it out and beat Washington 10-2 on Sunday. Either way, the meeting seemed to ignite a spark for at least a few games.

The Nat’s are headed it Pittsburgh for a three-game series this week before heading to NY to take on the Met’s this weekend.

UFC

There is a new UFC Heavyweight Champion after Daniel Cormier knocked out Stipe Miocic in the first round of the main event at UFC 226. Stipe was the longest-reigning heavyweight champ in UFC history before taking the knockout punch.

Then things got a little weird.

Moments after becoming the second fighter in UFC history to hold a championship belt in two different weight classes at the same time, Cormier holds the heavyweight and light-heavyweight belts, Cormier called Brock Lesnar into the ring.

"Push me now, get slept later." #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/kvfTpyLihF

— UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2018

There were challenges, there was shoving, and the whole thing felt like a WWE promo.

Lesnar accepted the challenge but is currently still suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency since failing multiple drug tests in 2016.

MLB All-Star Game

There are plenty of great narratives about this All-Star roster, but none of them bring me as much joy as seeing one of the most underrated players in Baltimore history get his due. Congrats to Nick Markakis on his first selection to the Mid-Summer Classic.

It’s been a long time coming for Nick Markakis. pic.twitter.com/tGlXdCNzpP

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) July 8, 2018

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Starters
C: Wilson Ramos, Rays
1B: Jose Abreu, White Sox
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
3B: Jose Ramirez, Indians
SS: Manny Machado, Orioles
OF: Mookie Betts, Red Sox
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
DH: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox

Reserves
C: Salvador Perez, Royals ^
1B: Mitch Moreland, Red Sox ^
2B: Gleyber Torres, Yankees ^
3B: Alex Bregman, Astros ^
SS: Francisco Lindor, Indians ^
OF: Michael Brantley, Indians ^
OF: Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers ^
OF: Mitch Haniger, Mariners ^
OF: George Springer, Astros ^
OF: Nelson Cruz, Mariners ^

Pitchers
RHP: Trevor Bauer, Indians *
RHP: Jose Berrios, Twins *
LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Yankees ^
RHP: Gerrit Cole, Astros ^
RHP: Edwin Diaz, Mariners ^
LHP: J.A. Happ, Blue Jays *
RHP: Joe Jimenez, Tigers *
RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox ^
RHP: Corey Kluber, Indians ^
LHP: Chris Sale, Red Sox ^
RHP: Luis Severino, Yankees ^
RHP: Blake Treinen, Athletics *
RHP: Justin Verlander, Astros @

Final Vote candidates
OF: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
OF: Eddie Rosario, Twins
SS: Jean Segura, Mariners
SS: Andrelton Simmons, Angels
OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Starters
C: Willson Contreras, Cubs
1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B: Javier Baez, Cubs
3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
SS: Brandon Crawford, Giants
OF: Nick Markakis, Braves
OF: Matt Kemp, Dodgers
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals

Reserves
C: Buster Posey, Giants ^
C: J.T. Realmuto, Marlins *
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs *
1B: Joey Votto, Reds ^
2B: Ozzie Albies, Braves ^
2B: Scooter Gennett, Reds *
3B: Eugenio Suarez, Reds ^
SS: Trevor Story, Rockies ^
OF: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies ^
OF: Lorenzo Cain, Brewers ^
OF: Christian Yelich, Brewers ^

Pitchers

LHP: Patrick Corbin, D-backs *
RHP: Jacob deGrom, Mets ^
LHP: Sean Doolittle, Nationals ^
RHP: Mike Foltynewicz, Braves ^
LHP: Josh Hader, Brewers ^
LHP: Brad Hand, Padres ^
RHP: Kenley Jansen, Dodgers *
LHP: Jon Lester, Cubs ^
RHP: Miles Mikolas, Cardinals *
RHP: Aaron Nola, Phillies ^
RHP: Max Scherzer, Nationals ^
LHP: Felipe Vazquez, Pirates *

Final Vote candidates
1B: Jesus Aguilar, Brewers
1B: Brandon Belt, Giants
INF: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
INF/OF: Max Muncy, Dodgers
SS: Trea Turner, Nationals

via 2018 All Star Rosters

Categories: Nationals, Orioles

Tags: All-Star Game, Baltimore Orioles, Bryce, Harper, Machado, Manny, Nitro Circus, Travis Pastrana, UFC, Washington D.C., Washington Nationals