News Nationals Team Notes

Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals Game Thread

IMG_7933.0.jpeg


Follow along as the Nats play their first game in the post Rizzo/Davey era

The Nationals have been the talk of the baseball world over the past 48 hours. After being swept by the Boston Red Sox over the weekend, they fired manager Davey Martinez, with the club since 2018, and general manager Mike Rizzo, with the club since 2007. Now, they will enter the first game of their new era with new interim Miguel Cairo and interim general manager Mike DeBartolo at the helm.

The Nationals first lineup in the Cairo era looks similar to a standard Davey lineup versus righties, with the only difference being Riley Adams is behind the dish with Keibert Ruiz going back on the IL. Taking the ball for the Nats is Jake Irvin, who earned the win in his last start after going 6 innings and allowing 3 runs, all in the first from a three run homer.


ninety one. pic.twitter.com/QHNUvEVaHe

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 8, 2025

The Cardinals will roll out a standard lineup against righties for them, with the biggest change being another day out of the lineup for Nolan Arenado as he recovers from a shoulder injury against the Cubs on Friday. Nolan Gorman will take his place at third base and bat fifth. On the mound for the Cards is right hander Sonny Gray, who has a 3.51 ERA on the year and a 2.86 ERA in his last 7 starts.


Back home pic.twitter.com/7qZcKPjRke

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 8, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Busch Stadium

Time: 7:45 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

Will the Nats pull out a win in their first game without Mike Rizzo apart of the organization in 18 years? Comment down below and let’s go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...n-nationals-at-st-louis-cardinals-game-thread
 
Mike DeBartolo cannot be handed the Washington Nationals GM job

MLB: General Managers Meetings

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals need to have an extensive search for their next GM, not just hand it to the interim

It is clear that Mike DeBartolo is a very different man from Mike Rizzo, his predecessor and the man he had worked under for over a decade. He has a different background, and from his first press conference, it is clear he has a different way of looking at baseball.


Mike DeBartolo will step into the Nationals' general manager position.

The new GM on the organization's expectations, MLB Draft and more. pic.twitter.com/wJsTOIsw2X

— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) July 9, 2025

His focus on analytics has already endeared himself to fans and local reporters alike. I have to admit, I was very impressed when I heard DeBartolo talk yesterday. The Columbia graduate is very clearly a smart guy and I could see him succeeding if given the chance.

However, the Lerner family better not just hand him the job. There needs to be a nation wide search to find the best and brightest minds from across Major League Baseball. The Lerner family needs to bring in many candidates who can provide unique insights. We put out a list of a few potential candidates and those guys all should at least be contacted.

The Internal vs External Path:

That is not to say they have to hire someone outside the organization, though that would be my preference. After all, for as smart as DeBartolo is, he was around during the malaise of the 2020’s.

That is not to say DeBartolo cannot succeed. There is actually a pretty recent example of a team who won a World Series before entering a malaise in the Kansas City Royals. After firing Dayton Moore, the architect of their championship, they decided to stay in house, hiring J.J. Picollo. Since becoming GM prior to the 2022 season, Picollo has done a solid job modernizing the Royals organization and he led them to a playoff appearance last year.

Like DeBartolo, Picollo was the analytics guy in an organization that was not analytically inclined before he took over. Since he has become GM, the Royals have done some impressive things, especially on the pitching development side. Guys like Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic have really taken off since Picollo has arrived. I think DeBartolo could be that kind of GM for the Nats.

However, on the flip side we can look at the Tigers. We took a deep dive into the Tigers rebuild and how it got resuscitated by new GM Scott Harris. The Tigers needed an innovative mind to pull themselves out of their extended struggles. Harris has provided them with that. His improvements to the player development has turned guys who were struggling under the previous regime and made them big time contributors.

You can win in different ways. Hiring the internal guy is not necessarily a bad thing. DeBartolo seems very different from Rizzo and could be a good candidate. He absolutely should be interviewed, but as one of many names interviewing for the job.

Cast a Wide Net:

There is no one right way to go about this, but there are wrong ways to go. Hiring DeBartolo without doing a serious search would be a bad move. It would be another example of the Lerner family not being all in and just doing the thing that let’s them do the least amount of work.

There needs to be a big search. The beauty of a search is that you can learn things from people even if you hire them. Clearly the Nationals need to modernize. When asked if the Nats needed to modernize, DeBartolo pretty much said yes without saying yes.

Getting all of these bright minds in the room would give the Lerner’s great insights. They really do not know anything other than the Mike Rizzo way. Rizzo has been the Lerner’s guy for nearly 2 decades.

Mike Rizzo is a Nationals legend, but given recent history, it is clear that the Nationals organization need an infusion of new ideas. Talking to some of the smartest voices from around the league would teach the Lerner’s so much.

Guys like the ones we listed as potential candidates will probably be talking about the importance of analytics and discussing what kinds of technology the Lerner’s need to spend on. It is important that the Lerner family hears these kinds of things from people outside the organization.

I would also prefer an outside candidate because it would be a fresh start. We will always appreciate the Rizzo era, but it is over now. Despite being so different, DeBartolo has worked for Rizzo for a decade plus. I would love for the Nationals to have a new set of eyes from outside the organization take a look at the situation here and act accordingly.

If the Lerner family conducts a serious search and decides Mike DeBartolo is the best guy, the fans will accept that. However, if they just hand DeBartolo the job, it will be a tougher sell. It would be yet another example of the Lerner family being lazy and taking the easy way out.

I am fascinated to see how this GM hunt goes. It is something I have never experienced as a fan before because Mike Rizzo has been around for so long. However, we are going to get one now. Hopefully it is an exhaustive search where the Lerner’s go far and wide to find the best candidate.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...-cannot-be-handed-washington-nationals-gm-job
 
Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals Game Thread

MLB: Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals

Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Follow along as the Nationals look for their first win in their new era

Last night’s loss kicked off the post-Rizzo and Davey era. Now the team is looking for their first win in this new era. To do this, they will need to knock off a Cardinals team that has been very good at home this season.

The lineup for tonight is an odd but explainable one. It looks like a lineup you would put out against a left handed pitcher. The likes of Amed Rosario and Alex Call are in for Luis Garcia Jr. and Daylen Lile. However, Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante is right handed. The reason the Nats did this is because Pallante has been better against left handed hitters this year. Newly crowned All-Star MacKenzie Gore will take the mound.


ninety two. pic.twitter.com/Kn6ehF5wM7

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 9, 2025

The Cardinals have had some success against Gore in the past, especially Willson Contreras who is hitting third. Nolan Arenado is back in the Cards lineup after missing last night with a minor injury. Yohel Pozo will also be in the lineup as a DH. As mentioned, Andre Pallante is on the mound.


Nado's back! pic.twitter.com/djlhVTLEaM

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 9, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Busch Stadium

Time: 7:45 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

While the rest of this season figures to not be pretty, it is an exciting time to be a Nats fan. We are finally seeing some overdue change. Hopefully some wins come along the way tonight. I am excited to see Gore pitch one more time before the All-Star break. It has been a wonderful first half for him. Comment down below and let’s go Nats.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...n-nationals-vs-st-louis-cardinals-game-thread
 
Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals Game Thread

MLB: Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals

Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Follow along as the new look Nats face off against the Cardinals in a rubber match

The Nationals got their first win of the Miguel Cairo/Mike DeBartolo era last night with a comprehensive 8-2 win over the Cardinals. MacKenzie Gore was excellent, the offense was humming and the bullpen locked things down. Hopefully we can see something similar tonight.

After going with a more right handed heavy lineup against Andre Pallante, who had reverse splits, the Nats are putting their left handed bats back in. Luis Garcia Jr. and Daylen Lile will both come back into the fold after sitting last night. Brady House will get the day off with Paul DeJong replacing him at third. Drew Millas will also get his first start behind the plate since being recalled. Michael Soroka will look to bounce back after a rough outing on July 4th.


ninety three. pic.twitter.com/0jLl3K6PZn

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 10, 2025

The Cardinals are not making a ton of changes. Nolan Gorman will come in at DH. Yohel Pozo who was the DH yesterday will catch today. Otherwise, the lineup is mostly staying the same. Like Soroka, Miles Mikolas got rocked on Independence Day and is looking for a bounce back performance.


Rubber match with the Nats pic.twitter.com/tFhIjSdrlw

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 10, 2025

Game Info:

Stadium: Busch Stadium

Time: 7:45 PM EST

TV: MASN

Radio: 106.7 The Fan and DC 87.7

A series win would be a big accomplishment and a good way to kick off this new era. After last night’s performance, I am feeling cautiously optimistic about things. They played one of their more complete games of the season yesterday and hopefully they can follow it up. Comment down below and let’s go Nats!

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...n-nationals-vs-st-louis-cardinals-game-thread
 
Who Will Lead the Washington Nationals in 2026? Inside the Search for the Nats Next Manager

MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Cleveland Guardians

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) stands in the dugout in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. | David Richard-Imagn Images

With the Washington Nationals expected to make a pivotal managerial decision this offseason, we explore the most likely paths forward and what it could mean for the team’s long-term rebuild.

The Washington Nationals are in a position that no team wants to be in. With the mid-season firing of General Manager Mike Rizzo and Field Manager Dave Martinez, Washington now has to find a new regime to come in and turn the franchise around. Martinez and Rizzo were the organizational leaders who helped Washington win the World Series in 2019, and it is going to be a challenge to change this franchise.

Fans were starting to lose hope in Dave Martinez; however, this will not be an easy position to fill. Great managers hit the open market every year, whether that is an assistant or bench coach looking for a big opportunity or an experienced manager trying to find success elsewhere. Washington will have options, but who will be the best?

Even though the 2026 off-season is months away, let’s dive in and look into the top manager candidates for the Washington Nationals and their future.

Miguel Cairo, Washington Nationals Interim Manager​


Cairo is currently sitting as the interim manager for the Washington Nationals and could hold his position into 2026. This is not his first time being thrown into the spotlight. Back in 2022, Cairo took over later in the season for Tony da Russa and the Chicago White Sox. He finished with an 18-16 record, but the challenge is steeper here in Washington. With a successful second half, Cairo could earn himself the position, but it is too early to tell.

A better approach might be to start from scratch by bringing in a new team and trying to change the culture in Washington. However, if the new regime has a great trade deadline and plays well in the second half, Cairo could have a great chance of earning a long-term role in Washington.

Ryan Flaherty, Chicago Cubs Bench Coach​


Flaherty has been with Craig Counsell in Chicago for the past two years and is becoming a name to watch out for in the 2026 off-season. Before heading to Chicago, he worked for the San Diego Padres as a development coach. Flaherty was even allowed to serve as the acting manager in 2022, as Bob Melvin suffered from COVID-19. Working under one of the best managers in baseball, Flaherty’s time to shine as a manager could be this upcoming off-season. He could bring a different feeling to Washington Nationals baseball.

He has been most rumored with the Baltimore Orioles; however, Washington has an interesting roster to work with and a solid farm system that could intrigue any manager to come to Washington.

Oliver Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals Manager​


Marmol has been in St. Louis since 2022 and was hired at age 35, becoming one of the youngest managers in baseball. His career with St. Louis started with a bang, winning 93 games and making the playoffs. Since then, St. Louis has struggled, and fans are becoming eager to win baseball games. It seems that Marmol’s time in St. Louis could be coming to an end if St. Louis finishes with another disappointing record. Marmol could bring much-needed experience and could be a perfect fit for Marmol to regain credibility.

I believe the Marmol is handcuffed by John Mozeliak. In an article written by Josh Jacobs on FanSided, quotes are included that talk about an interesting situation with Eric Fedde still starting games in St. Louis. On KMOX, when asked if he wanted to start bullpen arms or even call up prospects, he said, “Um, yes… And I’m trying to figure out how honest to be publicly here… there’s a lot of people at the table to make that decision, okay?”

It might be an unpopular pick, but with the experience and the way he has handled being the manager of one of the historic franchises in baseball, I think he would be a great addition to the Washington Nationals coaching staff.

Mark DeRosa, Team USA Manager​


DeRosa has been a popular pick for Nationals fans on who they want to be the next manager. DeRosa is a former player who played sixteen years in the MLB. He has been an MLB Network Analyst but has recently taken the manager position for Team USA in the WBC. He managed the team in 2023 when they lost the Japan in the finals. DeRosa has expressed interest in becoming an MLB manager, interviewing for the position with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins in recent years.

This would be a fun hire. I am with Nationals fans, I think this would be a slam dunk hire for Washington and would immediately improve this team heading into the future.

Final Opinion


The most realistic option, if he hits the open market, is Oliver Marmol, and I would like the decision. Marmol has been dealt a difficult hand in St. Louis, and with a new regime in Washington, things could turn around for the franchise. It all stems from: What will Washington do to become a better baseball team? The answer is simple; if they spend money in the correct places while prioritizing the young talent they have, they will become a great baseball team sooner rather than later.

Source: https://www.federalbaseball.com/202...ationals-2026-inside-search-nats-next-manager
 
Back
Top