Alex Yalen, Author at Baseball Essential

What the Nationals taught me about gratitude

Sep 28, 2016

After the end of the Washington Nationals' drama- and disappointment-laden 2015 season, I promised myself that whatever happened in 2016, I would simply be grateful for a winning season. That, of course, was an...

The Making of a Nationals Die-Hard

Alex Yalen

Jul 7, 2016

Features, Washington Nationals

I went home last weekend to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary. It was a great party, in a loving, warm house, in a quiet suburb of Washington. I couldn't help but reflect on how our home is dotted with bas...

Sammy Solis: Closer Candidate?

Alex Yalen

Jun 14, 2016

National League East, Washington Nationals

The 2016 Washington Nationals have few obvious needs. The offense, which got off to a sluggish start, has been on a tear. The starting pitching remains top-notch. The defense, which was disastrous in 2015, has ...

Five Takeaways from the Washington Nationals-New York Mets Series

Alex Yalen

May 22, 2016

Headlines, National League, National League East, New York Mets, Washington Nationals

Jayson Werth looks good hitting second, and the Nationals offense remains an enigma Werth has a lot to offer as a hitter, even if his low batting average doesn’t yet show it. He admitted he preferred hitting...

Notes on Strasburg: Reflections from a Nationals Fan

Alex Yalen

May 11, 2016

Headlines, National League, National League East, Washington Nationals

The Stephen Strasburg signing has brought me a level of pure joy that I largely no longer expect from sports, at least the business side of sports, which seems largely governed by self-serving press statement...

Five Takeaways from the Nationals/Royals Series

Alex Yalen

May 5, 2016

American League, Kansas City Royals, National League, Washington Nationals

Fresh off a sweep of St. Louis, Washington looked to keep rolling in Kansas City against the defending world champions. While the Nats couldn't hang on to a lead in the second game of the three-game set – more ...

Five Takeaways from the Nationals/Cardinals Series

Alex Yalen

May 3, 2016

National League Central, National League East, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals

Washington did not enter the St. Louis series on a high note. The offense hadn't plated a run in 20-ish innings and the club had just been swept by the rebuilding Phillies (although, in fairness to Philadelphia...

The Importance of Wilson Ramos

Alex Yalen

Apr 15, 2016

Opinions & Predictions, Washington Nationals

There are a few reasons behind the Washington Nationals' strong start: namely, the pitching has been great and the key players have been healthy and generally playing well. But one major component of this succe...

Washington Nationals: Five Things We Learned During Opening Week

Alex Yalen

Apr 12, 2016

Headlines, National League East, Opinions & Predictions, Washington Nationals

The Nationals offense looks serious. It says a lot about this Nationals club that even with an explosive playmaker like Ben Revere on the 15-day disabled list, the offense still looks like a major strength. ...

Re-tooled Nats Having Productive Spring

Alex Yalen

Mar 28, 2016

Opinions & Predictions, Spring Training, Washington Nationals

With the obvious caveat that "it's only Spring Training," Washington has looked awfully promising in their first twenty games of the Dusty Baker Era. The offense is shaping up to be dangerous. The pitching has ...

Author Alex Yalen