carol maloney is at the park. little energy from the home crowd tonight. >> reporter: these are called the dog days for a reason. dusty baker reminded us of that today. nats are coming home, tired of being beat up. they have a lead in the division and dusty says they haven't reached their peak yet. >> i'm a strong believer. i believe our best time has not come even close to yet. we've had two guys at a time hot in the lineup at the same time. >> reporter: speaking of the best, katie ledecky throwing out the first pitch at nats park, practicing with her neighbors. just thrilled to be back in this area and the support she has received from the fans. it turns out she has big fans in the nats clubhouse. >> they were how happy they were. they are pretty happy. it's a different feeling for me to have them be a fan of me when i've been a ge >> reporter: earlier today, bryce harper, press conference to unveil these hats he helped design for harper's heroes, benefiting his charity. so much more on the nbc washington app on

carol maloney is live. the last year's division title inspired such optimism and it will be the first real we'll get at 2016 washington redskins. with that, i give you things to watch tonight right here on nbc 4. the four things, number one, kirk cousins. cousins is probably loving our number, too. jordan reed and trent is here as well suiting up. they both look ready. number three, who is carrying the ball? matt jones is out and in comes rob kelly. also, keith marshall. finally, number four, beeline dilemma. who is going to win that starting job that's available? a number of worthy candidates to watch tonight and we can't say it enough. it's the most important game of here on nbc 4. again, in just over an hour. more coming up later in sports. for now, live from fedex field, carol maloney, back to you. >>> a beloved coach survives a brush with death he's getting a special tribute from his students. >>> i'm tracee wilkins. a congresswoman man weighs in on this debacle weighs in on the head start program. >>>

following the game, stick around for the post game report for myself and carol maloney.g back to josh norman very quickly, i don't mind if you talk as long as you back it up on the field every sunday. >> yes. >> he's done that the last two seasons. we'll see if that's the case this year with the redskins. a few more skins updates for you. josh dotson this year, he's improved, according to jay gruden. he is expected to be ready for game one against the steelers. the nationals are hoping that bryce harper will in the series opener. his 175 batting average versus baltimore's the lowest against any team he's faced more than five times. he struck out 14 times in 17 games against the o's. on the other side of that, mark trumbeau, he has homers in four of the last five games. i spoke with the right-fielder. he just wants to help his ball club. >> it's been a year of power from that perspective it's gone for me. i've been able to drive in some runs. second half hasn't been quite as good as the first. that stuff can happen. i'm just looking at contributing the rest of the way and

right after the game, carol maloney and myself have all of the reaction from the players in the postreport on nbc 4. now coming up later on news4 veteran says tonight's preseason game feels like the super bowl from fedex field on news4 sports. >> all right. we're only a few hours away. >>> apparently it's national dog day, which means that a lot of our local pups are up for adoption. >> there are about 50 furry canines available for adoption. the shelter is also accepting donations of toys, blankets and unopened pet food at both of their locations in d.c. we talked to a local family who was ready to add one to their home. tonight, they are playing with their new pup. great home and we don't have a big home but we have enough to find a little bit of space in our hearts. >> if you want to adopt a pup, check out our nbc washington app. we have great tips for new pet owners. >> i love them. >> with epipens skyrocketing, first at 4:00, why it's such an important tool for millions and why washington may have to get involved. >>> y are watching newsou4 >>> this is is it a dramatic picture o

. >> you know who will get up close and personal with it, the one and only carol maloney.you are also very important to us. you're there at fedex field with the story lines that we need to watch for tonight. >> reporter: yep. the guys are starting to trickle out. it's 2 1/2 weeks until the regular season. this is as close as it gets to the real thing in the the starters but that includes kirk cousins and he's out behind me warming up. two hours until kickoff. you may not be able to feel the urgency but we can predict a very competitive night. nowhere is the competition more fierce than the beeline. so they are going to be battling in the trenches. >> go out there and lay everything out on the line and out there trying to get a start position, just trying to go out there and put everything together on film. >> so this is it, like the most important preseason game for you, there's no question? >> yes. i've got to treat it like a super bowl, really. >> seriously? >> seriously. >> preseason? >> i've got to. >> reporter: you're goingto like -- >> i've got to. if you want that s

carol maloney caught up with the team at joint base andrews. >> reporter: the redskins reaching out, right in the middle of joint base andrews. a moment for the military. a salute to their fans in uniform. >> we're honored to be here with them. them putting their lives on t out and protect our country, man, i'm thankful just to be in their presence. >> any chance we can to do anything like this and let them check us out, we can get some autographs and meet them. everybody thinks they want to meet us, it's the other way around, we want to meet them and thank them for all the service they give us. >> reporter: all ages drinking it in, amid the clicks of camera and the buzz of the base, the sounds of football, the delight of the crowd in camo. >> what's your strategy to get them to come over here? are you going to order them, master sergeant? >> they're quite bigger than i am, so i don't think so. but i think this sergeant has a few elbows -- >> i'll bully my way in there. >> reporter: no bullying needed, just a special request. >> if you could, whose jersey would you have to be wearing