RSS Nationals Team Notes

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals bomb in the Bronx with a blowout loss to the Yankees

This may not have been the rock bottom moment for the 2025 Nationals, but it was certainly one of them. You would think that playing the Yankees in front of a packed house would get these players inspired. However, they seemed to shrink to the moment rather than rise to it.

While none of the games in this series were competitive, this one was the biggest blowout of them all. Heading into the game, any true Nats fan had a bad feeling about this one. It was a day game where a left handed pitcher was on the mound. That has been a disaster combination for this team all year.

Leadoff man Trent Grisham set the tone for what kind of game this would be. He squeezed a home run just over the infamous short porch in right field. While it was a cheap homer, they all count the same. That was the first of six homers the Nats allowed today.

There was much more embarrassment to come. The third inning was an historic meltdown from the Nats. In an inning that seemed to drag on for hours, the Nationals gave up 9 runs in an inning where the Bronx Bombers sent 15 hitters to the plate.

The worst part of all of this was the pure pitch count. Nationals pitchers threw 77 pitches in that third inning. That is the most in one half inning since 2003. The Nationals were not a franchise at that point and many of the players on this team were infants.

The Nationals threw 77 pitches that inning, the second-most by a team since at least 2000 in a frame

Marlins threw 91 on 6/27/03 in the first at Fenway

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 27, 2025

Another weird, slightly humiliating moment in the game came in the 5th inning. Since Drew Millas got hurt, Riley Adams had to replace him earlier in the game. However, since he was DH’ing, the Nationals lost their DH. That meant in the 5th, pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara had to hit. He left the bat on his shoulder for three pitches and struck out.

Meanwhile at Yankee Stadium. pic.twitter.com/05OZxFNrSz

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) August 27, 2025

It is unfortunate that Ogasawara has been involved in a couple of the more memorable bad moments of this season. His first career start where he got shelled was the last game of the Mike Rizzo/Davey Martinez era. Today, he had a ridiculous at bat in an embarrassing loss to the Yankees. It has not been his fault, but he is probably going to be one of those random Nats that fans look back at and view as part of the dark ages.

Games and series like this really show how far away the Nats really are. It makes me wonder whether actually spending big money this offseason is really worth it. Would the team just be better off building up the foundation and pouring all their resources into fixing their drafting and developing issues. Any of the true difference making free agents would require significant overpays to attract because why would they want to play here instead of a contender.

At this point, I am not even sure spending big money this offseason would be a good idea. You would have to massively overpay to bring anyone decent in because nobody would want to come here. We also just need to focus on building a functional baseball operation

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) August 27, 2025

Another alarming detail that this exposed was just how far off the Nats are from a run differential stand point. Their minus 171 run differential is the second worst of any team, and third worst is not close. For context, the White Sox run differential is only minus 66.

The Washington Nationals have been outscored by 171 runs. The Chicago White Sox have been outscored by 66 runs.

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) August 27, 2025

After a couple fun, competitive series against divisional foes, it is back to reality for the Washington Nationals. There are no quick fixes here and the Nationals need to start over. It is time to start from scratch with a new manager, new GM, new coaching staff and new front office personnel. What we have right now is not working and we are being left behind.

In the 2010’s, these teams were competing with baseball’s elite. However, organizational incompetence at all levels has allowed a culture of losing to set it. We need to bring in winners that know what it takes to get us back to a place where we can compete with the Yankees.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...-the-bronx-with-a-blowout-loss-to-the-yankees

 

[Washington Nationals]

Why the Washington Nationals Should Sign CJ Abrams to a Long-Term Extension

CJ Abrams was traded to the Washington Nationals in 2022 as part of one of the biggest trades in MLB history. After spending three full seasons with the Washington Nationals, fans have shown their love for Abrams and how he has become a face of the franchise. A recurring theme with MLB’s top young talent is that some organizations are prioritizing finalizing extensions before a true breakout. CJ Abrams is one of the best young shortstops in baseball. Conversations in Washington should be about extending their star talent, including CJ Abrams.



Reports began circulating in the first half of the 2024 season that Washington and CJ Abrams were discussing a potential contract extension. According to an article written by Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post in 2024, Abrams and Washington “held substantive discussions” about a possible contract extension. It seems that both sides have looked into an extension; however, nothing came out of it. Whether Abrams or Washington is hesitant on a deal, the right move for Washington should be to re-sign as a franchise cornerstone.

Here are some key reasons why Washington should extend CJ Abrams to a long-term deal.



A Cornerstone in the Capital

Abrams was traded to the Washington Nationals in 2022 and has been the starting shortstop since arriving. He has been in Washington for over three seasons, and even though Washington has continued to disappoint fans in the win column, he has provided hope at the shortstop position for the first time since Trea Turner. Not only is Abrams a stellar athlete, he has been in Washington during the entirety of their rebuild dating back to 2022.



Locking up a fan favorite at one of the most important positions in baseball is something Washington should entertain the thought of, especially with so many question marks surrounding the team’s future. As fans continue to lose faith in the organization, an extension could bring faith back into the organization, showing that they are all in on their young star.



Progress You Can Bet On

In his first full season in Washington, Abrams posted a career high in WAR (3.5) while also posting career highs in every offensive category. The following season in 2024, Abrams made his first All-Star game and proceeded to break all of his career highs on the offensive side of the ball. In 2025, Abrams has become an even better player, on pace for a career high in WAR, batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+. Throughout each season, Abrams has shown the ability to grow.



Let’s dive into each season and how he has improved. Looking back at 2022, Abrams was just a shell of his current self, with a .241 xBA, .316 xSLG, and a chase percentage of 41.2. In 2023, every stat increased, including a jump from chase percentage from 41.2 to 35.1, xSLG from .316 to .399, and he became one of the most dangerous runners on base paths, stealing 47 bases. In 2024, Abrams made his first All-Star game with a terrific first half; however, he regressed in the back half of the season, tarnishing his stats. There is still a jump from ‘23 to ‘24 in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.



He is currently having the best season of his career, posting career highs in almost every advanced offensive metric, as well as base stats such as batting average and slugging percentage. The progression, though it has been slow improvement, has been a sight to see for Nationals fans. I expect Abrams to continue his progression in 2026 and beyond.



Outperforming the Market

Over the past five years, many players around the league have received contracts before even making the move to the majors. This is because of the overwhelming potential they have shown while being within the minor leagues. Abrams is in a different position, spending most of his MLB service time with the Washington Nationals.



If we look around baseball, Bobby Witt Jr. signed an 11-year, $288.7 million contract extension just before an MVP-caliber season in 2024. However, Abrams hasn’t had the success or the prospect pedigree as Witt, but Abrams is currently pre-arbitration, and so was Witt when he signed. Two players I want to dive into are Ezequiel Tovar and Ceddanne Rafaela, as they received pre-arbitration contracts in 2024.



Abrams is currently 24-years-old and will be 25-years-old heading into the 2026 season. He will be arbitration-eligible in 2026, and this will put pressure on Washington, especially if Abrams keeps improving on both sides of the ball. Tovar and Rafaela signed their pre-arbitration contracts in 2024: Tovar signing for 7-years, $63.5 million, and Rafaela signing for 8-years, $50 million.

At this point, neither player had much MLB service time, but the potential was there, and both teams felt the need to lock up their young players. Tovar signed at 22-years-old and in 2024, had the best season of his career, putting up career-highs across the board, and Rafaela signed at 23-years-old and is currently having a career season. However, Rafaela has been forced to move positions with the return of Trevor Story, and Tovar has been injury riddled throughout the 2025 season, but is having a down year compared to his Gold Glove winning 2024 campaign. The downside of Abrams is the defense. Tovar and Rafaela have been some of the league’s best defensive players since entering the MLB.



Abrams is currently posting a career season and is having a better offensive season than extended players such as Rafaela and Tovar. If Abrams can show improvement in his defensive game towards the end of the season, Washington should consider pulling the trigger before Abrams becomes arbitration-eligible. It is unsure what the contract would look like for Washington, but they should consider similar extensions to what Ezequiel Tovar and Ceddanne Rafaela received back in 2024.



The Time Is Now

The Washington Nationals have missed the postseason every year since winning the World Series in 2019. With all of the key contributors of the World Series team gone, Washington is moving into a new era of Nationals baseball. Young stars such as CJ Abrams and James Wood have continued to grow since joining the organization in 2022. CJ Abrams has continued to progress throughout all aspects of his game and is becoming one of the best players at his position.



Once again, it is tough to say what an extension would look like at this point, but one thing is for certain: Washington should do everything it can to extend their All-Star.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...hould-sign-cj-abrams-to-a-long-term-extension

 

[Washington Nationals]

Nationals Prospects: Eli Willits is a contact maestro

At just 17 years old, Eli Willits has shown elite contact skills since becoming a pro. While he is not impacting the ball much, he is spraying it all over the yard and making a ton of contact. He is showing an insane level of poise for a 17 year old who is facing grown men.

Since joining the Fred Nats, the average age of pitchers Willits has faced is about 22.5 years old. The 17 year old kid is not only holding his own, but thriving against that competition. He even got a hit off of a rehabbing Cody Bolton, who has appeared in big league games.

Eli Willits is 17¾ years old. So far, the starting pitchers he has faced are:

1. Javier Perez 21¾ y.o.
2. Ryan Verdugo 22½
3. Rafael Gonzalez 21
4. Cody Bolton 27¼
5. Jacob Zibin 20½

Those starting pitchers average an age of 22⅝, and 27% older than Willits who isn't old enough… pic.twitter.com/8txSICUC2j

— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) August 27, 2025

Coming out of high school, Willits was known for his bat to ball skills. His hit tool was given a plus 60 grade by MLB Pipeline. However, you never really know how it will translate until he faces pro competition. There have been plenty of times where a hit tool gets over estimated in the scouting process.

The scouts have been spot on for Willits, and might have even underestimated him. In 20 at bats, Willits is hitting .400 and has only struck out once. That is completely mind blowing stuff for anyone, let alone a 17 year old.

Even crazier though is the whiff rate. In Willits first 36 swings, he swung and missed 3 times. That is an 8% miss rate for a 17 year old playing against grown men. This is rare stuff from a player who is showing rare skills.

Eli Willits in his first five games:

Three-hit game in his debut
At least one hit in each game
Just an 8% miss rate (three whiffs on 36 swings)

How other 2025 MLB Draft picks are faring so far: https://t.co/5qQJGANyYu pic.twitter.com/Z5vdzsLbYs

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) August 27, 2025

You can see why he misses so much when you look at his swing. It is as simple as it gets. There are no wasted movements in his swing and he is so quick to the ball. He looks like a player who has been refining that swing his whole life, because well he has. It is clear that his father Reggie Willits has done a great job preparing his son for this moment.

Willits has been at Oklahoma practices over the years and has faced a lot of tough pitching in those live BP settings. Facing guys like Kyson Witherspoon, who went in the first round will prepare you well for pro pitching. It is why Willits is so unbothered by the velocity and the craft of pro pitchers. He has seen it all at just 17.

Eli Willits has hits in all three professional games he's played and it's back to a one-run game! pic.twitter.com/LofSKvmPHD

— Fredericksburg Nationals (@FXBGNats) August 24, 2025

However, Willits is nowhere near a finished product because well, he is still a child. The biggest area where you can see that is in the power department. All 8 of Willits’ hits have been singles, mostly softly hit.

However, he still has plenty of time to fill out and add more impact. Adding that impact will be the difference between Willits becoming a quality big leaguer and a star big leaguer. His hit tool gives him a high floor, but the ceiling will only be so high if he is a singles hitter.

Given his age, I expect him to grow into solid power. He will never be a slugger, but I think he can develop into 15 home run power, maybe more. Even without the power, Willits is such an impressive player.

It has been a long time since the Nats have had a natural hitter like this in their pipeline. Even James Wood and Dylan Crews had more question marks about their pure hitting ability, though they had more power potential. There is no doubt that Eli Willits will hit, the only question is about how much power will come.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/mlb-draft/85747/nationals-prospects-eli-willits-is-contact-maestro

 

[Washington Nationals]

The Approach Is Improving For Dylan Crews, But Where Are The Results?

After nearly 3 months on the IL with an oblique injury, Dylan Crews made his return to the Nationals lineup on August 14th against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he went 1-4, stealing a base and drawing a walk. Of everything that fans could’ve hoped for in his return, a walk was pretty high up the list, as in his 173 plate appearances before his injury, Crews wasn’t showing off much of the plate discipline and contact ability that made him such a force at LSU, walking just 6.4% of the time and striking out 27.7% of the time. He had begun to heat up before the injury, hitting home runs in the last 2 games before it, and fans were just hoping to see him keep it going in his return.

How has Crews looked in his return to the lineup? It’s tough to say. On the bright side, his approach looks much improved, walking 11.8% of the time and striking out 17.6% of the time in his 51 plate appearances since returning, a much-improved BB/K ratio than where he was prior. He’s also hit 3 doubles in that time, already better than the 2 he hit in his first stint in 2025.

While the approach has improved for Crews since returning, the results and the batted ball numbers have not. His slugging has dipped from .354 in the first stint to .295 in his second stint, and he’s yet to put a ball over the fence in his 13 games since returning. His average exit velocity has dipped from 90.1 MPH to 88.8 MPH (a number that may stabilize with a larger at-bat sample size, potentially), and he’s hitting the ball on the ground way more than before, with a GB/FB ratio over 2. Crews’ BABIP has been relatively low compared to his batted ball numbers all season, but that is because he hits too many ground balls, a common occurrence for many hitters in the Nationals lineup. He’s also on a cold streak resembling his beginning of the year one right now, as he’s 1-20 with a single and 2 walks in his last 5 games, including 0 hits in his last 18 at-bats.

So is it time to panic about Dylan Crews? Not yet, but it’s time to lower expectations on his ceiling as a hitter. Through 89 games at the big league level now, he has posted a 75 wRC+, a 0.34 BB/K ratio, and a .278 OBP. The last time he truly dominated at any level was as a 21-year-old in Low-A, and he’s only been just above average at the Triple-A level, posting a 107 wRC+ there in 49 games in 2024 and a 92 wRC+ there in 13 rehab games in 2025. Patience is absolutely needed, and Crews will be given every opportunity to prove himself, but tweaks will need to be made by the new coaching staff in 2026 to unlock more than what Crews is showing now. Even if he only turns out to be an above-average bat, not the all-star level or better one fans anticipated when he was selected 2nd overall in 2023, he’ll still be a dynamic regular in the lineup thanks to his great defense and baserunning.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...ing-for-dylan-crews-but-where-are-the-results

 

[Washington Nationals]

What does the future hold for Washington Nationals 2B Luis Garcia Jr.

Despite only being 25 years old, Luis Garcia Jr. is the longest tenured Washington National. In the 2020 season, a 20 year old Garcia was rushed to the MLB, and he has more or less been a fixture since then. However, after yet another up and down season, it feels like it might be time for the Nats to move on from their long-time second baseman.

After a career year in 2024, it looked like Garcia had finally taken that next step and was well positioned to be the Nats second baseman of the future. He had a true breakout both offensively and defensively.

At the plate, Garcia finally tapped into his power while remaining a high average hitter. He slugged a career high 18 homers while hitting at a .282 clip. Sure, Garcia was not walking much, but the rest of his game was so solid it did not matter. He had a 110 wRC+, which is a great mark for a second baseman.

It was not just the offensive side of the ball where Garcia thrived. He broke out defensively and on the bases as well. Before 2024, Garcia had been a below average defender. After a disastrous experiment at shortstop, the Nats eventually moved him to second base full time in 2023.

However, he was not great at second either in 2023. He put up -4 outs above average while struggling with the bat too. Something special happened in 2024 though. After having to fight tooth and nail to keep his job in a camp battle with Trey Lipscomb, Garcia was locked in defensively.

He put up 5 outs above average in his great 2024 season. Garcia looked more athletic, more engaged and more aware of his positioning. That fielding is why he put up 3 fWAR last year. Garcia also stole 22 bases and was an asset on the basepaths.

However, in 2025, the Nationals second baseman has come back down to earth on all sides of the ball. His OPS has gone from .762 to .707, with all his numbers regressing slightly across the board. The average has gone from .282 to .262 and the power is down a bit as well. For some hitters, a low average is alright, but given Garcia’s swing heavy approach, he needs to hit for average to get on base.

For me, the bat is actually the least of my worries for him. His underlying data is very strong. Garcia’s batted ball data has either stayed the same or actually gotten better. His expected numbers are actually better than last year. While he is chasing a lot, he has always chased a ton. It is just who he is as a hitter.

The biggest red flag in Garcia’s season in my opinion has been the defense. It has fallen off a cliff both statistically and from the eye test. He has actually been pretty sure handed with just 6 errors, but his range has diminished significantly.

That has led to his outs above average going from +5 to -7. He is simply not getting to balls he got to in 2024. I think that has to do with waning athleticism. Garcia has never been the best athlete, but he was good enough before. However, that looks to have changed.

In 2024, his sprint speed was in the 45th percentile. Not elite, but solid and with his instincts, he made it work. However, this year it is down to the 27th percentile, with Garcia looking much slower. That is also playing out on the bases, where he has not stolen as much and his overall base running value has regressed.

The Nationals clearly see this. For me, the biggest indication of that is the fact they are toying with the idea of moving him to first base. That would be a disastrous move for his career. While Garcia’s bat is good for a second baseman, it is light for the first base position. His plate discipline and so-so power would become issues.

Before Washington’s games against the Mets, Luis García Jr grabbed a 1B glove and practiced fielding short hops.

There are no immediate plans for García to play first base. But the team is getting him acclimated and giving real thought to the idea:https://t.co/CVeEf2m2TG

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) August 21, 2025

So what should the Nationals do with Garcia? Well, he has two more years until he hits free agency. I think the Nats should test the trade market to see if anyone is interested. Garcia should have at least some value. His offensive fundamentals are still strong despite a down statistical season and he is only a year removed from being a top 10 player at his position.

If another team thinks that Garcia could get back to his 2024 ways on defense, he would be an intriguing target for them. While Garcia clearly has potential, I think it would be best for all parties if they move on. It just seems like a relationship that had some potential but has gone stale.

It would also open the door for CJ Abrams to move to second base. At shortstop, Abrams’ arm and range is tested, but he would be a much better fit at second base. However, if the right offer does not come in, holding on to Garcia would not be the worst thing.

He is due for positive regression offensively and has some upside. At the end of the day, we know that Luis Garcia Jr. is not the long term second baseman. However, he is good enough to hold down the fort for another year if he needs to. His future will be interesting to watch this offseason.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...ld-for-washington-nationals-2b-luis-garcia-jr

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Tampa Bay Rays Game Thread

After a lopsided sweep to the Yankees, the Nationals return home where they will take on another AL East opponent. This time they are facing the Tampa Bay Rays. It has been a weird season for the Rays, where they have had to play in the Yankees Spring Training stadium. They have also been an up and down team.

For the Nats, Daylen Lile is returning, which gives the offense a big boost. He missed the Yankees series due to an illness, and they missed him. Brady House will be out of the lineup, being replaced by Paul DeJong. Riley Adams will do the catching and should see a heavy workload with Drew Millas injured. Despite massive struggles, the Nationals continue to trot Mitchell Parker out there every fifth day.

one hundred thirty four. pic.twitter.com/2wfKrzXm5B

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 29, 2025

The star of the show for the Rays is the young Junior Caminero. In his first full season, the third baseman already has 39 homers. At the top of the lineup is a throwback leadoff man in Chandler Simpson. He is one of the fastest men in baseball and is a menace on the bases. Highly rated prospect Carson Williams is at shortstop. Deadline pickup Adrian Houser is on the mound.

Rays 8/29

Simpson LF
Caminero 3B
Díaz 1B
B Lowe 2B
Morel DH
Williams SS
J Lowe RF
Pereira CF
Fortes C

Houser SP

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 29, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 6:45 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

After facing a bunch of baseball’s elite teams, the Rays are an easier matchup on paper. However, they still have a lot of talent on the roster and the Nats aren’t good enough to take anyone lightly. Hopefully the Nats can snap their five game losing streak. Follow along down in the comments and let’s go Nats.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ngton-nationals-vs-tampa-bay-rays-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Tampa Bay Rays Game Thread

The Washington Nationals are leaking oil right now. They are in the midst of a six game losing streak and their ace just went on the IL. The Nats will look to stop the bleeding in a late afternoon showdown with the Rays.

Interestingly, Brady House will be out of the lineup for a second straight game in favor of Paul DeJong. A lot of fans won’t be happy with that decision from Miguel Cairo. Luis Garcia Jr. will also move down to the 8 hole despite facing a right handed pitcher. Otherwise, it is a similar lineup to last night. Jake Irvin is on the mound and in desperate need of a good start.

one hundred thirty five. pic.twitter.com/F0S5vLdP44

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 30, 2025

With a righty on the mound, the Rays are making some changes to the bottom of their order. Scrappy Jake Mangum will play center field for the Rays to partner up fellow speedster Chandler Simpson in the outfield. Big Bob Seymour will play first base. Hunter Feduccia will get the start behind the plate and he will be catching Ryan Pepiot.

Rays 8/30

Simpson LF
Díaz DH
B Lowe 2B
Caminero 3B
J Lowe RF
Mangum CF
Seymour 1B
Williams SS
Feduccia C

Pepiot SP

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 30, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 4:05 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

The vibes are low for the Nats and they could really use a win. As much as we wish this wasn’t true, there is still a month left in the season. This is an important time for these young players the Nats are throwing out. Follow along in the comments and make sure to make all of your Nationals related thoughts known.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ngton-nationals-vs-tampa-bay-rays-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Tampa Bay Rays Game Thread

All of a sudden, the Nationals are in the midst of yet another long losing streak. They were playing good baseball for a few weeks, but the tides have turned and they have now lost seven in a row. The Nats will look to turn the tides and avoid a sweep to the Rays.

With a lefty on the mound, the Nationals will switch up their lineup. Andres Chaparro will get the start at first base. Riley Adams is going to get a heavy workload now that Drew Millas is out and he will start yet again behind the plate. Daylen Lile will start in the outfield for the first time since his illness. That means James Wood will DH. After a couple days out of the lineup, Brady House is back at third base. Brad Lord will start on the mound.

one hundred thirty six. pic.twitter.com/QmpBZMii59

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 31, 2025

For the Rays, Tristan Gray will get his first start of the series at second base. That moves Brandon Lowe to DH. Everson Pereira will start in center field as he did in the first game of the series. Hunter Feduccia will get another start behind the plate. Rookie Ian Seymour will start on the mound.

Rays 8/31

Simpson LF
B Lowe DH
Caminero 3B
J Lowe RF
Seymour 1B
Pereira CF
Feduccia C
Gray 2B
Williams SS

Seymour SP

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 31, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 1:35 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

The Nationals need to stop the skid at seven games. However, they are facing a lefty in a day game. That combination has not been kind to them this season. Hopefully that can change today. Follow along in the comments and let’s go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...ngton-nationals-vs-tampa-bay-rays-game-thread

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals in the midst of another sickening losing streak

Quite simply, the Washington Nationals are a wretched product and today was yet another example of that. They lost their 8th straight game in a season that cannot come to an end fast enough. This might not be the worst team in Nationals history, but it is the most unlikable and frustrating group.

Yet again, the Nationals were done in by bad starting pitching and poor fundamentals. A few starts ago, Brad Lord looked like the Nationals best pitcher and a down ballot Rookie of the Year candidate. However, as is the case for most positive Nationals related things, it has not lasted. In his last three starts, Lord’s ERA has gone from 3.26 to 4.34.

That's it for Brad Lord. 3 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. That grand slam did him in. In three starts, he's gone from a 3.26 ERA to a 4.34.

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) August 31, 2025

It is exhausting to see all of the Nationals players who look good for stretches just collapse. We have seen it with James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, Cade Cavalli, Konnor Pilkington and now Lord. Whenever the league starts making adjustments, there are no answers from Nats players and coaches.

Another upsetting thing from today’s contest came at the end of the game when Daylen Lile was thrown out trying to extend a single into a double. The Nats were down three runs, so getting into scoring position does not do much for the team. However, Lile went for it anyway and turned a rally into a certain defeat. Stuff like this is why the Nationals might lose 100 games. They are just a poorly coached, low IQ baseball team.

The pitching staff is the biggest reason why this team is so bad though. For the month, the Nationals posted a 6.31 team ERA the worst in team history. While the bullpen has been taking most of the heat this season, this one is on the rotation. The bullpen has been mostly alright. However, the starters are putting the Nats into massive holes over and over.

FINAL: Rays 7, Nationals 4.

August is over. Washington finished with a 6.31 ERA, the worst team ERA in a month in Nationals history.

The Nationals allowed 53 home runs this month. For comparison, as an offense, they have only hit 41 home runs over the last two months.

— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) August 31, 2025

This is not a team that is a few minor tweaks away from getting back on track. The entire organization needs an open heart surgery because as it stands right now, things are in an awful place. I can’t remember a time as a Nats fan where things felt this hopeless. There have been worse teams, but there has never been less hope.

In 2008 and 2009, at least the team still had a newness to it that felt good. Baseball was back in the Nations Capital. Yes, the team was awful, but at least there was a team. They also got their hands on two generational prospects in back to back years for their struggles.

The other truly awful Nats team was in 2022. That team was less talented than this one, but I still had more hope than I do now. All this losing had a purpose. Short term pain for a long term gain. There were prospects coming to save the day. Well those prospects are here and the team is going nowhere fast.

Since the start of June, the Nationals are 25-53, which is the worst record in the sport. Even worse than the historically bad Rockies who are the laughing stocks of baseball. They have won fewer than 10 games in each of the last three months.

They’ve also won single-digit games in June, July and August.

That’s good for the worst record in baseball since the start of June (25-53) and four fewer wins than the next-worst team, during that span, the Colorado Rockies (29-49). https://t.co/EXUZYsuJZj

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) August 31, 2025

It is mind blowing how grim things have gotten. 2019 simultaneously feels like yesterday and forever ago. Things have gotten so bad so quickly for a franchise that had so much momentum heading into the 2020’s. Now it looks like we are in store for a decade of darkness.

It was just another loss to the Rays at 1:35 on a late August afternoon. However, it was yet another sign of how far this franchise has fallen. Before the season, Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez talked about how the rebuild was over. They were right, but not how they thought.

The rebuild is over and it failed. At a certain point, the pretense of a rebuild disappears. You just become a bad team and a bad organization. That is where the Nationals are right now and it is so disheartening.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...onals-in-midst-another-shameful-losing-streak

 

[Washington Nationals]

Andrew Alvarez dominates in his debut as Nationals snap losing skid

Well, that felt much better. For the first time in a while, the Washington Nationals actually delivered a feel good factor. Those good vibes came from a pair of newcomers in Andrew Alvarez and CJ Stubbs. They were the stars of the show and led the way in a 2-0 win.

It is very rare for a pitcher and catcher to make their debuts in the same game. In fact, the last time that happened for the Nats was all the way back in 2008. The last time it has happened in the MLB was 2023.

A double debut today! @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/3WgwzpQliP

— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) September 1, 2025

Let’s start with CJ Stubbs. The 28 year old took the long road to the MLB, but he is finally here after being drafted back in 2019. He did not get a hit today, but he did make an impact. Stubbs looked great behind the plate and guided Alvarez through his start. He called a great game and did a good job controlling the staff.

However, the real star of the show was Alvarez. Before the game we wrote about how the southpaw needed to have pinpoint command and he did just that. He did a great job mixing and matching, while also hitting his spots. Alvarez was unpredictable and always one step ahead of the hitters.

He primarily threw his slider, four-seamer, and curveball, while mixing in a sinker and changeup. What I loved is that the usage was really balanced. He threw the slider 33% of the time, the heater 27% of the time and his curveball 26% of the time. Other guys on the pitching staff could learn from that.

We talked about how the curveball is his out pitch. It is his best offering and a pitch he really leans on. As you would expect, he got the first strikeout of his career on the hook. It was a great moment for the 26 year old rookie.

Andrew Alvarez has his 1st big league K! pic.twitter.com/rHR4Nviils

— Nationals Advisory (@nats_advisory) September 1, 2025

Alvarez was brilliant throughout. He held the Marlins hitless through the first four innings before finally surrendering a knock in the fifth. Before then, it was mostly smooth sailing for Alvarez, but after a hit and a walk, he found himself in a jam. Alvarez got out of it by striking out Joey Wiemer with runners on first and third.

After that, Miguel Cairo decided to play it safe and pull Alvarez before the Marlins got the chance to see him a third time. Thankfully, the bullpen did an outstanding job and delivered four scoreless innings.

Clayton Beeter, Konnor Pilkington, Cole Henry and Jose A. Ferrer were all outstanding. Despite the team struggles, the bullpen has been the one unit that has been good for the Nats lately. If someone told me that in April, I would call them crazy.

On offense, the Nats did just enough to get over the line. It was not pretty, but a second inning rally got the Nationals the two runs they needed. The big blow came when Daylen Lile hit an RBI triple that scored Luis Garcia. After that Andres Chaparro brought Lile home with a sac fly.

dAAAYYYYEEEEE pic.twitter.com/jA66pgHn21

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 1, 2025

Overall, it was a fun day, which has been a long time coming. There have not been many fun days for Nationals fans this summer, but that was one of them. Andrew Alvarez got the win, making him only the third Nat to get a win in their MLB debut since 2010.

Final: Nats 2, Marlins 0. Andrew Alvarez tossed 5 innings of 1-hit ball, joining Mitchell Parker as the only Nationals starting pitchers to win their MLB debuts since Stephen Strasburg in 2010.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 1, 2025

As the season comes to a close, hopefully we can see more days like that. The fans deserve better than what they have gotten this season. When the pitching is not totally off the rails, you can compete in ball games. We have seen that recently. When the Nats are competing, it is due to pitching and when they get blown out, it is because the pitching staff gets blown up early. As we head into 2026, pitching needs to be the priority.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/was...dominates-in-debut-nationals-snap-losing-skid

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Game Thread

The Washington Nationals are in a world of hurt right now. They have lost 8 in a row and the vibes are low. This season has been a year from hell for Nats fans. Between the injuries, the underperformances and the coaching malpractice, it has not been easy to watch. However, we have a month to go.

The top of the lineup is filled with familiar faces we have been seeing for most of the season. However, there are some new faces towards the bottom. Despite facing a right handed pitcher, Andres Chaparro will get the start at first base. Dylan Crews will actually get the day off, with Daylen Lile in right field and Josh Bell at DH. CJ Stubbs will make his MLB debut behind the plate. He will be catching a fellow debutant in Andrew Alvarez.

one hundred thirty seven. pic.twitter.com/qecUxSqySu

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 1, 2025

The Marlins will be doing a bullpen game today. Righty Lake Bachar will get the start, but he won’t last long. Agustin Ramirez, who splits time between DH and catcher will be behind the plate. Jakob Marsee has been a revelation since joining the Marlins and he will start in right field. Former Nat Derek Hill will start in center field. The Marlins are missing their breakout star Kyle Stowers.

Labor Day lineup!

: @FanDuelSN_FL , @FDSN_Marlins
: @MarlinsRadio, @FoxSports940
: 1:05 PM ET #MarlinsBeisbol https://t.co/1LawDwmWqH pic.twitter.com/m02Y5yquu5

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 1, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 1:05 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

Hopefully the Nats can stop the skid on this holiday afternoon. It has been a long season that has tested the fans. The goal should be to avoid an embarrassing 100 loss season. Follow along in the comments and let’s go Nats!

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

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Game Thread

After a refreshing win yesterday, the Nationals are back in action tonight. They will look to win the series over the Marlins. Hopefully the offense can get going because even in the win, they were still pretty quiet. Operation do not lose 100 games continues for the Nats.

The sporadic playing time for Brady House continues as Paul DeJong will get the start at third base despite cooling off lately. Riley Adams will be back behind the plate but will have a new backup in Jorge Alfaro. Dylan Crews returns to the lineup, as does Jacob Young who will man center field. Cade Cavalli will look to bounce back from a rough start in the Bronx.

one hundred thirty eight. pic.twitter.com/igcWREGk9r

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 2, 2025

The Marlins will make a couple tweaks themselves. Liam Hicks has been quietly solid for the Fish and he will start behind the plate. That moves Agustin Ramirez to DH. Troy Johnston will start at first base with a righty on the mound. Victor Mesa Jr. will be playing right field. Former Padres farmhand Adam Mazur will start for the Marlins.

Tuesday in D.C.

: @FanDuelSN_FL , @FDSN_Marlins
: @MarlinsRadio , @FoxSports940
: 6:45 PM ET #MarlinsBeisbol https://t.co/1LawDwmWqH pic.twitter.com/05zFox2OKR

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 2, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 6:45 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

We finally had some good vibes yesterday as the Nats snapped their 8 game losing streak. Now they will look to start a win streak with this matchup against the Marlins. I am interested to see how Cade Cavalli responds after the worst start of his career. Follow along down below and let’s go Nats.

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

 

[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

 

[Washington Nationals]

Washington Nationals Daylen Lile has mastered the art of the triple

When I think of Daylen Lile, I think of a couple things. The first is his beautiful swing and natural hitting ability. We have gushed about that all season long. The other thing I think about is the image of Lile flying around second base with his helmet off, motoring into third base for a triple.

That is something Lile does a lot. His seven triples this year are tied for 7th in all of baseball despite the fact Lile spent a big chunk of the season in the Minor Leagues. Between the minors and majors, Lile has 12 triples on the season.

There are a couple things you need to do to master this art and Lile has figured it out. You need to have the ability to shoot the ball from gap to gap and you need to run hard out of the box.

Two of his most recent triples show both of those tools. Against the Marlins, he showed off his gap to gap power. He drove a ball to left centerfield just out of the reach of the center fielder. The ball skipped away and Lile was on his way to third for an easy triple. You need to be able to spray the ball around, often to weird parts of the park where balls aren’t usually hit to rack up triples. That is what Lile does.

Nationals Video highlight

Daylen Lile starts the scoring with an RBI triple in the bottom of the 2nd inning

2-0 Nationals in the top of third pic.twitter.com/Cc21rRNdvy

— TheNatsReport (@TheNatsReport) September 1, 2025

The other way to get triples is through pure hustle. Yesterday, we saw that from Lile. He drove a ball to left center again, but this time it looked like an out. However, Pete Crow-Armstrong lost the ball in the sun and it dropped. With Lile sprinting out of the box, he was able to take full advantage and get to third base. A lot of triples are simply about taking advantage of mistakes and with his speed, Lile can do that.

PCA lost this one and it turned into a triple for Daylen Lile, then the Nationals followed it up with a two-run homer pic.twitter.com/EzpgkUReTj

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 5, 2025

This is not a new thing for Lile. Throughout his Minor League career, Daylen Lile has been a triple maestro. In his two full Minor League seasons, Lile had 10 triples each year. For his Minor League career, Lile has 25 triples, which is highly impressive. This tells me that his MLB numbers are no fluke.

He has been working on the art of hitting a triple for many years. From a young age, he was clearly taught to run hard out of the box. Having an 89th percentile sprint speed helps him out as well.

No. 16 prospect Daylen Lile crushes a two-out RBI triple off the wall pic.twitter.com/rp1F0jClfB

— Nats Farm (@NatsFarm) April 12, 2023

Despite seeming pretty random, the top of the triples leaderboard has actually been fairly stable the last three years. Guys like Bobby Witt Jr., Corbin Carroll and Jarren Duran have dominated the triples leaderboard the last few years. Right now Corbin Carroll is the king of the triple, but Lile could be coming for his crown.

One other factor that helps guys like Carroll and Duran, but could work against Lile is home ballpark. Both Fenway Park and Chase Field have strange dimensions that create weird bounces which make triples easier. Nationals Park is more cookie cutter, so those triples could be tougher to come by for Lile.

One thing is clear though, hitting triples is a skill that some guys just have. Lile is one of those guys and should be a fixture at the top of the triples leaderboard. Hitting those triples is actually a very useful skill, especially with fewer than two outs.

It means you can be driven in by a sac fly, wild pitch or rbi ground out. This puts a ton of pressure on the defense. We saw that in the Marlins game about a week ago. Lile hit that RBI triple and then he was driven by the next batter on a sac fly. He created those runs and they ended up being all the Nats needed.

Daylen Lile has become one of my favorite Nationals over the course of the season. Sure, he needs work on the defensive side of the ball, but he can really hit. The triples are just one club in a very deep offensive bag. Today, he showed another dimension of his game by homering, which ended up winning the Nats the game.

AAALLLLLLLL Day pic.twitter.com/eJjf3jjNTI

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 6, 2025

As we have talked about, there are a lot of outfielders vying for playing time in DC. Outside of James Wood, none of them have shown more than Lile. He has the look of a guy who can hit .300. One guy Lile really reminds me of is Michael Brantley. Both are pure hitting corner outfielders with enough power to keep guys honest. Brantley was a key cog in a lot of winning teams, so hopefully Lile can live up to that.

With all the young guys who are struggling, it is awesome to see a 22 year old look so comfortable at the plate. With that swing, his slumps should never last too long, knock on wood of course. While there is more to his game, Lile has really mastered the art of the triple.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/gen...-nationals-daylen-lile-mastered-art-of-triple