News Nationals Team Notes

[Washington Nationals]

Brady House: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly to start his MLB Career

After a 4-year wait from being selected 11th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft to 2025, Brady House made his much-anticipated big league debut on June 16th against the Colorado Rockies. Since then, he’s played a total of 55 games, all at third base, and accumulated 209 plate appearances. While it’s certainly too early to make any final calls on House’s future, especially since his high swing-and-miss, high power output archetype is one that can take time to acclimate to big league pitching, let’s still take a look at what he’s done well so far, and what he needs to improve on.

The Good

Defense

House began his professional career at shortstop, but a back injury in 2022, combined with the sentiment from scouts that he was likely better suited for third base in pro ball anyway, led to him making the transition to the hot corner in 2023. Since then, he’s only gotten better and better there, and it’s become evident he is a more than capable big league defender in his short big league stint.

According to Statcast, House’s range ranks in the 63rd percentile among all big league third basemen, but his arm is where he really shows off, as his average arm strength of 89 MPH ranks 5th among all third basemen, and his max throw velocity of 94.4 MPH ranks 6th. To be such an impressive big league defender at the hot corner at such a young age is an incredible achievement for House, and there is serious Gold Glove potential if he continues to build himself up over there as he has the past few years.

WHAT. A. PLAY. Brady House lays out in the 9th and fires a rocket to first to get Caminero! That’s big-league defense right there #Natitude #WebGem pic.twitter.com/y97i7oOI8y

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) August 30, 2025

The Hard Hits

While it’s been a struggle to turn it into consistent power so far, with both of House’s big league homers coming on July 12th in Milwaukee, House has indeed been hitting the ball hard to begin his big league career. While he’s yet to play enough games for his hitting numbers to qualify for the percentage leaderboards on Statcast, his average exit velocity of 89.8 MPH looks to register just above the 50th percentile mark, and his hard hit rate of 45.2% ranks even higher than that.

We also finally got a look at House’s bat speed upon his big league arrival, and so far, it is pretty solid, coming in around the 55th percentile of all hitters. House hasn’t been generating consistent power just yet due to a variety of factors, which I will dive into later in the article, but so far, he’s showing the ingredients of a future solid power hitter at the major league level.

The Speed

This one may come as a surprise to some, but House has registered some pretty solid run times in his first big league stint, as his average sprint speed of 27.8 MPH ranks in the 61st percentile in MLB, including 24th out of 73 qualified third basemen (many of those ahead of him not being true third basemen but rather utility players). House has also flashed strong instincts on the basepaths, as he’s swiped 4 bags and only been caught once in his 55 career big league games, double-digit steal pace over the course of a full season. Whether this speed is the product of House being young and hungry to prove himself still or not, the ability to swipe double-digit bases to go along with great defense and 20+ home runs per year would make House a surefire top 10 third baseman in the league.

The Bad

The Plate Approach

House has never been known for his plate discipline or bat-to-ball skills, walking just 7.1% of the time and striking out 26.5% of the time in Triple-A this season, but the issue has become even more glaring in the start to his big league career, as he’s walking just 2.4% of the time and striking out 28.7% of the time. That equates to a 0.08 BB/K ratio, which is the worst in baseball among all hitters with at least 200 plate appearances. It is possible to be an above-average hitter with a bad BB/K ratio, but it’s much more difficult, as just 1 hitter in the bottom 18 has a wRC+ over 100 (Kerry Carpenter, 117), and 6 of the top 30 are above 100, none over 117.

While the approach is cause for concern, the bottom line is the current coaching staff has failed to institute a real plate approach with any of the youngsters on the Nats (With Keibert Ruiz and Luis Garcia Jr. being the primary examples). I expect House to make some strides in this department in 2026 with a new regime in charge, though House’s plate approach is likely never going to be a calling card for him.

The Ground Balls And Opposite Field Fly Balls

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but a National is hitting too many groundballs, and it’s stopping him from unlocking his power potential. Yes, like many Nationals prospects before him, House hasn’t had the necessary tweaks made to his swing to hit for more consistent power by the Nationals coaches at any level. Unsurprisingly, the issue has become apparent now that he’s facing big league pitching that doesn’t make as many mistakes, and House has just 10 doubles and 2 home runs through 201 big league at-bats. Unless you’re Jacob Young, offensive success is found through hitting the ball into the gaps and over the fence, and, according to House’s spray chart of his hits, he’s living on seeing-eye singles and down-the-line doubles, a difficult recipe for sustainable success.

House, also like many other Nats, isn’t pulling the fly balls he is hitting, a factor that is preventing him from reaching his true power potential. His 12.5% pulled fly ball percentage, if qualified, would be among the bottom 40 in baseball, alongside almost strictly contact hitters, with the select few power hitters being those who consistently smoke the baseball, such as James Wood and Corey Seager. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’s 28.4% pulled fly ball percentage, is an example of how a player with a tendency to swing-and-miss to get close to maximizing their offensive value, and that is by making every ball in play count, something House is struggling with so far in his short big league stint.

The Ugly

The Whiffs

House’s swing and miss issues have been well documented, and they have persisted at the start of his big league career. He ranks near the bottom in baseball in chase and whiff percentage, and has been getting bullied by pitchers low and away, with a whiff percentage of 65% on pitches low and away out of the zone. His sweet spot is up and inside, as it’s the pitches he swings at the most and makes the most contact, but he can’t hunt for the pitches he wants when he’s constantly getting behind in the count chasing sliders out of the zone. The pitch giving House the most trouble, however, is the fastball, as he has a -7 run value against them and a 30.7% whiff rate.

Unlike the problems in “the bad”, which are problematic but likely solvable, there may not be much that can be done about House’s swing and miss issues as a whole. Sure, an improved approach will help him lay off more of the ones out of the zone and give him the opportunity to sit the pitches he does like, but it won’t stop pitchers from attacking in the zone early with the pitches House struggles with.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that Brady House is just 22 years old and has played just 55 career big league games, meaning it’s way, way, way too early to make any final calls on who he will turn out to be. What we can do, however, is look at the sample as it stands and compare it to his minor league performance to see what type of player we are dealing with. Who is Brady House? He is a slick fielding, sneakily speedy, power-hitting third baseman who struggles with swinging and missing and optimizing his batted ball profile. I am excited to see how House continues to grow and change at the big league level, especially under a new and improved coaching staff in 2026.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/85894/brady-house-good-bad-and-ugly-to-start-his-mlb-career

 

[Washington Nationals]

Nasim Nunez’s shocking power explosion leads Nationals to a sweep

I cannot believe I am writing this, but Nasim Nunez led the Washington Nationals to victory with his home run power. The light hitting shortstop had never hit a home run in his big league career and had only hit nine in over 1,500 Minor League at bats. However, today was different.

On an early September afternoon with a sparse crowd, Nasim Nunez had the game of his life. Games like this are why we keep watching even when the season is lost and the vibes are low. You never know what can happen in baseball. Today, Nasim Nunez reminded us of that.

He hit not one but two homers against the Miami Marlins. In addition to being the first two of his career, the moment was made even sweeter by the fact that Nunez was drafted by the Marlins and played four Minor League seasons with them. Prior to the 2024 season, the Marlins left Nunez unprotected in the Rule 5 Draft and the Nats selected him.

Nasim Nunez has hit two home runs today. To two different fields. Against the team that did not protect him in the Rule 5 draft. These are the first two home runs of his career. I can't believe this.

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) September 3, 2025

Before the Nunez magic, the Nats offense was already firing on all cylinders against the Marlins young ace Eury Perez. They scored three in the first thanks to a Luis Garcia Jr. two run single and a 113 mph RBI double by Jorge Alfaro who was making his Nats debut. Perez seems to be wearing down as the season wraps up and the Nationals made him pay.

In the second inning, Nasim Nunez’s moment came. On a 2-1 pitch, Perez threw a center cut fastball and Nunez did not miss. He yanked it into the bullpen out in right field. As he rounded the bases, he had a big smile on his face, as did everyone in the dugout.

Nasim Nuñez hits his first Major League homer pic.twitter.com/74ewZcTZgR

— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025

Nunez is one of those super likable energy guys who just makes the whole atmosphere more positive. He also seems to be the one guy who is able to get James Wood out of his shell. You need guys like that around, especially when they provide elite defense.

However, Nunez was not the only guy to have a big day at the plate. Daylen Lile and Brady House also had multi-hit days. It has been a struggle for House offensively, so today was very encouraging.

His big moment came in the 4th inning when he deposited a hanging breaking ball from Perez into the left field seats. Before today, House had only homered in one game. That was back on July 12th when he left the yard twice against the Brewers. We know that House has the raw power, but we have not seen it enough in games. Today we saw that over the fence pop we know House possesses.

We were not done with the Nasim Nunez experience though. In the 8th inning, the charismatic Nunez came to the plate and did it again. This time he blasted a home run to the opposite field. I did not think Nunez had the juice to hit one out to left center, but he did just that.

Nasim Nuñez homers again!

His first two career home runs have come in today's game pic.twitter.com/12Ystq6sVe

— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025

This was a feel good day for the Nats. They secured only their second sweep of the season. The first one came in mid-May against a reeling Orioles team. However, this one came against a division rival they have struggled with this season. That one has to feel real good for the boys. Hopefully they can build on it to close out the season.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...king-power-explosion-leads-nationals-to-sweep

 

[Washington Nationals]

How the Washington Nationals bullpen has been shockingly good lately

For most of the season, the Washington Nationals bullpen has been abysmal. Sure, they showed signs of competency at a couple points, but overall it has been a disaster. There is a reason that they have the worst bullpen ERA in all of baseball. However, the Nationals look to have finally found a group of guys who are performing at a high level.

Lately, the bullpen has been absolute nails. Yesterday, they finally allowed a run for the first time in 19.1 innings. It came via a Jorge Alfaro passed ball with a wild Mason Thompson on the mound. Thompson is not one of the high leverage options and the game was in a secure place anyways.

The Nationals bullpen's streak of 19 1/3 scoreless innings just ended when Jorge Alfaro was charged with a passed ball on Mason Thompson's wayward slider.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 3, 2025

There have been a lot of valuable performers, but three guys have stood above the rest. PJ Poulin, Jose A. Ferrer and Clayton Beeter have been dominant lately. These three all have very different stories that we will talk about here. Now let’s break them down.

The Closer:

There has been a lot of talk about how dominant Kyle Finnegan has been since arriving in Detroit. However, his replacement has been nearly as good. In his last 30 appearances, Jose A. Ferrer has a 1.93 ERA in 32.2 innings. However, my favorite stat is that he has just 3 walks in those 32.2 innings of work. For a guy that throws 100 mph, that is absurd.

Ferrer does not feel like a guy who never walks anyone, but he is. For the season, he is walking just 4.6% of hitters, which is elite. Before the season, I was super high on Ferrer and thought he was the closer of the future. That looked silly in early May when he had an ERA over 8. However, he looks like that dominant future closer who gets a ton of ground balls.

One thing that I have really liked from Ferrer lately is that he is mixing it up more. Early in the year, Ferrer abandoned his slider in favor of a sinker/changeup mix. However, he has brought it back lately and it has been dominant. That slider adds whiffs to his arsenal, which he needs.

Despite throwing a 97-100 mph sinker, that pitch is more of a ground ball pitch than a whiff generator. However, the slider adds a new wrinkle. With his stuff, I think Ferrer can be a very good back end of the bullpen arm for years to come.

The Sidearmer:

Since being claimed on waivers a month ago, PJ Poulin has been such a reliable presence in the ‘pen. The southpaw is not an overpowering guy, but his whacky arm angle has given big league hitters fits.

PJ Poulin is a pure sidearmer who relies on deception to get outs. His fastball averages 90.7 MPH but it plays above that velocity. To go with that heater, Poulin has a sweeper and a changeup.

He uses the sweeper to both lefties and righties, but it is relied on more against lefties. Poulin uses his changeup exclusively against righties and it works like a charm. Despite having the look of a lefty specialist, right handed hitters have actually had a tougher time against him due to the changeup.

Poulin has been Mike DeBartolo’s biggest success story so far. He was a 29 year old who had never pitched in the MLB. However, DeBartolo saw something in him when he was on waivers. He claimed Poulin and immediately brought him to the MLB.

So far, MLB hitters have not fazed Poulin. He has a 1.59 ERA in his first 16 MLB outings. The best organizations can find guys like Poulin so they don’t have to spend big time money building a bullpen. If you can build a cheap bullpen, money can be spent on areas where it is harder to find diamonds in the rough.

The Trade Piece:

The other guy who has been impressing in the Nats bullpen is Clayton Beeter. We talked about Beeter a couple days ago if you want to read that piece. To sum it up, Beeter has dominant stuff, but can have trouble finding the zone.

Lately, Beeter has been mostly throwing strikes and letting his stuff shine. Unlike Poulin, Beeter was a known commodity. He was drafted by the Dodgers with the 66th pick in the 2020 draft and was a well thought of pitching prospect.

Beeter was traded from the Dodgers to the Yankees in a move that sent Joey Gallo to LA. Gallo was not that far removed from his Texas days at that point, so Beeter had real value. While Beeter showed flashes of dominance, he never threw enough strikes to start.

After a move to the bullpen late last year, he was shipped to the Nats as part of a move that sent Amed Rosario to the Bronx. Since coming to the Nats, Beeter has found a new gear.

In 14 outings with the Nats, Beeter has a 2.84 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 12.2 innings. That is 11.37 K/9, which is an elite number. Sure, there have been a couple outings where Beeter just doesn’t have any idea where the ball is going. However, he has been throwing strikes more often lately.

With his filthy fastball/slider mix, all he needs to do is be around the zone. The stuff will take care of the rest. Beeter will probably always be quite volatile due to his control, but he is emerging as a piece of this Nats bullpen.

Moving Forward:

While these guys will all have bad outings at some point, they look like keepers moving forward. Another great thing about all three is that they are cheap and have many years of team control.

That is how you build a good bullpen. You need cheap, controllable guys to be core members of the unit. Buying a bullpen can be a bad investment because of how volatile the position is. However, if you can cycle through these cheap guys, you can build an effective pen. That is what teams like the Rays have been doing all these years.

It is good to see the Nats finally adapt and churn through relievers until they find a good one. For every Ryan Loutos and Eduardo Salazar, you can find a PJ Poulin. I like the direction this Nats bullpen is going and think it can help make the unit better long term. For a long time, the bullpen has been a problem for the Nats, but with some new strategies, that might change.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...onals-bullpen-has-been-shockingly-good-lately

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Game Thread

The Nationals are in a rare position to secure a sweep. After taking the first two games from the Marlins, they will look for only their second sweep of the season. In a divisional matchup, a sweep is always extra sweet. However, it will be a tall task.

Miguel Cairo is making a lot of changes to his lineup. CJ Abrams will get a rare day off as recently promoted Nasim Nunez will take his place. Brady House will be back in the lineup after sitting out yesterday. So will Robert Hassell III, who has been struggling lately. Jorge Alfaro will make his Nationals debut behind the plate. He will be catching Mitchell Parker, who had a decent start last time out.

one hundred thirty nine. pic.twitter.com/QjWZAnNM4s

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 3, 2025

The Marlins will make some changes to the bottom of their order with a lefty on the mound. Eric Wagaman and Joey Wiemer will return to the lineup. After being the DH last night, Agustin Ramirez will do the catching. He will catch Eury Perez, who will be angry after failing to get out of the 1st inning in his last start. Perez is the Marlins crown jewel on the mound.

Wrapping up on the road.

: @FanDuelSN_FL , @FDSN_Marlins
: @MarlinsRadio , @FoxSports940
: 1:05 PM ET #MarlinsBeisbolhttps://t.co/1LawDwmWqH pic.twitter.com/FK04gjbrek

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 3, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 1:05 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

The Nats have played surprisingly clean baseball these first two games. Who knew that good pitching and solid defense led to wins. Hopefully that can continue this afternoon. It has been a miserable season, but a strong September would be nice. Follow along down below and let’s go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ington-nationals-vs-miami-marlins-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

The Washington Nationals have an understandable attendance problem

The Washington Nationals had a great series against the Marlins. They got their second sweep of the season and looked like a serious, well drilled operation. However, one thing stuck out like a sore thumb when watching the games, nobody was in the crowd. The stadium was awkwardly empty and I want to discuss that.

I think it is emptier at first pitch today. The Nationals looking to finish off a sweep of the Marlins. https://t.co/wDd7khuImp pic.twitter.com/HT09jeyiBJ

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) September 3, 2025

Sure, there are plenty of factors. The last two games were the two days after Labor Day, and parents are getting their kids back to school. They were also playing a Marlins team that is not a big draw. When you are a bad team, fans are more likely to show up when you face a team with a bunch of stars like the Dodgers or Mets. Those fanbases also travel well.

With all that being said, the crowds were still insanely light. The announced attendance of 11,190 felt generous. So much so that a fan yelled out “liar” after it was announced. It was a rough visual to say the least.

Announced attendance: 11,190. Smallest announced crowd of the season. And a fan just yelled "Liar" below the press box. https://t.co/7LDanssFEJ

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) September 3, 2025

Sometimes when there are double headers, the first game can be very empty, but I cannot remember a time where Nationals Park looked that bad. It makes me worry about the future of the team. If I were Mark Lerner, I would be frightened by that visual.

With the Commanders on the rise and moving back into DC, could that eat into the Nationals fanbase. Something that helped baseball in DC grow was the fact that the football team was so poorly run that it led fans to dive deeper into other sports. This phenomenon helped the Nats and the Caps greatly. They filled the void that the Dan Snyder regime created.

Now Snyder is gone and Mark Lerner is the owner with a target on his back in the city. This 2025 season was supposed to be a year of growth. However, after a lackluster offseason and a disastrous season, Nationals ownership is getting more heat than it has had in years.

The World Series title gave the Lerner’s and Nationals management some built up good will. While having to blow up that old core was frustrating, fans were mostly understanding. That was an aging team and with a World Series not too long ago, fans were willing to go through a painful but necessary rebuild.

However, this season was proof that the rebuild has failed. At a certain point you go from a rebuilding franchise to a losing franchise. For many fans, this was the year where the Rubicon was crossed. They are angry and drawing fewer than 40,000 fans across three games is proof of that.

Nationals complete the sweep of the Marlins despite a season-low crowd of 11,190 — the 6th smallest in team history (excluding COVID-restricted games). The three-game Marlins series drew fewer fans (37,397) than Opening Day vs Phillies (41,231). pic.twitter.com/c4n93k1tzt

— natsfanatics (@natsfanatics_) September 4, 2025

Back to that World Series, the Nats really did not get to totally enjoy the fruits of their labor. 2020 was supposed to be a triumphant year where the Nats could soak in their success and campaign as the defending champions. However, the Covid-19 pandemic threw a wrench into those plans.

Of course, fans were not allowed in the stands in the 2020 season. This really killed a lot of the momentum and fan excitement that the World Series created. That showed in the 2021 season as the Nationals finished 12th in the National League in attendance.

The momentum was gone and by July of 2021, the Nats had gone into a rebuild. At that deadline, they traded stars like Trea Turner and Max Scherzer. They also moved complimentary pieces who played a big role in the World Series win like Yan Gomes and Daniel Hudson. That era of Nationals baseball was gone and the fans did not even get a chance to celebrate it.

Despite having a 100 loss season, attendance was not terrible in 2022. They drew just over 25,ooo a game. That ranked 11th in the National League, the same ranking as 2019. The highest the Nationals ever ranked was 5th in the NL in attendance back in 2015.

The last three years, the Nationals have been 13th in the NL in attendance and are drawing just over 24,000 a game this year. With how things are trending, it will likely fall below the 24,000 number by the end of the season.

When the team was really humming, the team drew between 30-32,ooo a night. I really miss those days when we had a lively Nationals Park crowd. The only time you see a packed house these days is when the Savannah Bananas are in town.

The Savannah Bananas sold out 42,000 seats at Nationals Park in D.C. this weekend, the largest game in the team’s history pic.twitter.com/fsrx2BBgQC

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 15, 2024

The empty stands are good imagery of how far the product has fallen since 2019. I miss the days when Nationals ownership was invested in the team and was doing whatever it took to win. Now the owners are seemingly unwilling to cough up much more than $10 million on any players.

All of this just makes me miss winning baseball. Even after the sweep this week, the vibes just seem dead around this organization. Ownership needs to get control of the situation and solve these problems before it is too late. There was a time where DC did not have baseball and I hope there is never a time like that ever again.

If big changes are not made, the crowds are going to continue to shrink. There needs to be a sense of urgency in this organization. Hopefully the midseason firings are a sign that the urgency is there. The organization is in a tough spot right now and when you do not give the fans a good product, they will not show up.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...ionals-have-understandable-attendance-problem

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Game Thread

It will be a windy day in the Windy City. The wind is blowing out to right field up to 20 mph this afternoon. That will make it tough for the pitchers because the ball will fly today. So the objective is to keep the ball on the ground for Jake Irvin.

Despite his heroics the other day, Nasim Nunez does not get the start. CJ Abrams will be back at shortstop. That is the life of a bench player I guess. After struggling against the Marlins, Dylan Crews will get the day off. His power has been missing since coming back from injury. Andres Chaparro will be at first base and Riley Adams will be back behind the plate. Adams will be catching Jake Irvin.

Nats RHP Irvin at Cubs RHP Assad (2:20/AppleTV+) pic.twitter.com/dzOZX3Dpw8

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 5, 2025

Kyle Tucker has been nursing a minor injury for the Cubs, so he will be out of the lineup. The versatile Willi Castro will be in right field in his place. Reese McGuire will be doing the catching over their starter Carson Kelly. The Cubs have a strong and stable starting 9, so those are their only deviations. Javier Assad was excellent for the Cubs in 2024, but has been squeezed out of the rotation for most of this season. He will pitch today though.

Start of three vs. D.C. pic.twitter.com/ndwXW7rSaQ

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 5, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Wrigley Field

Time: 2:20 PM EST

TV: Apple TV+

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

After a sweep over the Marlins, the Nats have a tough road assignment. The Cubs are a playoff team and have big ambitions. While their chances are slim, they have a chance to catch the Brewers for the NL Central crown if they get hot. However, they need to knock off the scrappy Nats. Follow along down below and let’s go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...hington-nationals-vs-chicago-cubs-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Nationals Head to Chicago Looking to Slow Down Surging Cubs

Washington is heading into this matchup as one of the worst teams in all of baseball. With a record of 56-83, this has been one of the most disappointing seasons for the franchise. Injuries and inconsistent play have derailed this season, and numerous questions surround not just the players but the organization as a whole.

Chicago enters this series as one of the best teams in all of baseball. They currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League. They trail the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central; however, Chicago still has a chance to regain the lead with one of the easiest remaining schedules in baseball. Even though this is late in the season against the lowly Nationals, this is a must-win series for the Chicago Cubs.

Let’s dive into the Chicago Cubs’ 2025 season stats.

TEAM STATS

Chicago’s Lineup Keeps the Pressure On

In the first half, the Chicago Cubs had the most electrifying offense in all of baseball. Pete Crow-Armstrong was in the MVP conversation, and Kyle Tucker, Michael Busch, and Seiya Suzuki were some of the best players at their positions. This season has been a tale of two halves, as Chicago has cooled down significantly since the All-Star break. When this team is hot, they are arguably the best team in baseball. As a team, they are batting .249 (15th), scored 688 runs (7th), hit 189 home runs (8th), on-base percentage of 3.19 (12th), and a slugging percentage of .427 (7th).

Rotation Setting the Tone

Heading into the season, there were concerns about the starting rotation for Chicago. With Justin Steele going down early in the season, fans expected the starting rotation to falter; however, the rotation has been excellent. With Matthew Boyd’s breakout, Cade Horton’s ROTY-level season, and Shota Imanaga performing well, this rotation has been the best it has been in years. The bullpen has improved significantly from last season, helping Chicago become one of the best teams in baseball. As a team, they have a 3.88 ERA (9th), hit 173 home runs (23rd), a 1.21 WHIP (2nd), and teams are hitting .243 against them (13th).

GAME ONE – Friday, 2:20 PM EDT

WAS: RHP Jake Irvin (8-10) – 28 G, 5.42 ERA, 102 SO, 1.41 WHIP, 77 ERA+

CHI: RHP Javier Assad (1-1) – 4 G, 4.05 ERA, 10 SO, 1.35 WHIP, 95 ERA+

Irvin has struggled with run prevention in his last handful of starts and has continued a disappointing streak of Nationals pitchers. 2025 has been statistically the worst season of his career, and his future with Washington could be in question heading into 2026. In his last start, Irvin threw six innings and allowed five hits and four runs in a loss against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Assad started his career in Chicago in 2022 and has performed when he has been on the field. After starting his MLB career as a reliever, he has developed into a reliable back-end of the rotation arm for the Chicago Cubs. Due to injury, he has thrown in four games this season, but could provide valuable innings as the end of the season is near. In his last start, Assad threw six innings and allowed seven hits and three runs in a win against the Colorado Rockies.

GAME TWO – Saturday, 2:20 PM EDT

WAS: RHP Brad Lord (4-8) – 43 G (14 GS), 4.34 ERA, 85 SO, 1.32 WHIP, 96 ERA+

CHI: LHP Matthew Boyd (12-7) – 27 G, 2.94 ERA, 142 SO, 1.07 WHIP, 129 ERA+

Rookie Brad Lord has excelled coming out of the bullpen this season and has shown flashes of starter potential. However, Lord has struggled as of late. His last seven starts have been his worst stretch of the season, with a 6.23 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. In his last start, he only lasted three innings and allowed five hits and seven runs in a loss.

At 34 years old, Matthew Boyd is experiencing a breakout season in Chicago. With career highs across the board, Boyd has earned the role as one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. However, he has struggled as of late. Boyd has posted a 5.09 ERA in his last seven starts. In his last start, he threw six innings and allowed six hits and four runs against the Colorado Rockies.

GAME THREE – 2:20 PM EDT

WAS: LHP Andrew Alvarez (1-0) – 1 G, 0.00 ERA, 4 SO, 0.60 WHIP

CHI: TBD

With a mixture of the starting rotation struggling and injuries, the 26-year-old made his MLB debut on September 1. With a 4.10 ERA in the minors this season, most fans didn’t expect the stellar start they received from Alvarez. Against the division rival Miami Marlins, Alvarez threw five innings and allowed just one hit and no runs, as Alvarez earned his first career MLB win.

As the season is closing, Washington is not playing spoiler to every team they play from here on out. With a young pitching staff and lineup, the improvement and development of their top young talent is the most important goal for the rest of the season. With MacKenzie Gore injured, it is up to some unexpected names to provide quality innings and hope for the win. However, the Chicago Cubs have been one of the best teams in baseball and have a chance at winning the National League Central.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/general/85947/nationals-head-chicago-looking-slow-down-surging-cubs