The Washington Nationals’ 2026 season has been largely defined by an offense that has overachieved and a bullpen that has underachieved.
This past week, the club had games where they scored nine and 13 runs in series openers, while also having games like Sunday when they coughed up six runs in the ninth inning after posting eight straight zeros.
On the final day of August, the Nationals remain technically in contention. However, at 8.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the National League, we’re simply going to be counting down to the date when they eventually get eliminated.
Right now, their “tragic number” in the NL East is four, and the elimination number for the last Wild Card spot is 16.
Digesting the Division: Atlanta (82-55) swept the Los Angeles Dodgers (I feel like every week recently has featured the Braves in a “potential playoff preview”) and has won seven in a row. Philadelphia (77-60) has won four straight to pull into a tie for the top Wild Card spot in the NL. Miami (69-68) was 8-1 against the Nats until this weekend but still has a chance to salvage a series split. Washington (65-74) clinched a non-100 loss season and needs an 8-15 finish to post their first sub-90 loss non-COVID season since 2019. The New York Mets (61-76) might be in the midst of a lost campaign, but rookie Nolan McLean is standing out as the team leader in wins, strikeouts and ERA. A statement on his year as well as the rest of the rotation.
Break up the Birds: Baltimore (68-69) remains on the fringe of the American League Wild Card after taking three straight series. The Orioles visit Colorado with a chance to climb over the .500 mark.
Diamond King: Daylen Lile wishes the Nats were in the NL West after he hit three homers in four games against Colorado, finishing the week batting .458 with three homers and ten RBI while also scoring a team-high seven runs.
Last Week’s Heroes: Jorbit Vivas hit .389 while Brady House drove in six. Cade Cavalli went 1-0 in his two starts while striking out 15 over 10 innings. Rookie Jackson Kent tossed seven innings of one-run ball for his first career win. Reliever Erik Tolman threw 3.2 scoreless frames.
Last Week’s Humbled: Orlando Ribalta and Will Dion each surrendered four runs over 2.2 innings while Tom Cosgrove was touched up for six over three frames. José Tena hit .111 while Nasim Nuñez batted .105 and CJ Abrams returned from injury but went 2 for 28 at the plate (. 071 batting average).
Game to Watch: Friday, the Nats begin a series at the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. LA will start midseason pickup and two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal while Washington will pitch Cade Cavalli.
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