Tomorrow night, in DC, the Nationals embark on the final series of the 2026 campaign. Against the Mets. At stake is not coming in last place in the NL East. Would be nice to be fourth this year instead of last. It’s also fan appreciation weekend. So, get out and support your Nationals!
A lot has happened in the last 10 days or so. Natty made his first road trip — to St. Louis, where he watched the Nationals take the series against the Cardinals. In the last 11 games (since the winless West Coast trip) the Nationals are 8-3.
During that time, the team reached a 5-year agreement with Cade Cavalli. Great news, since he has been dealing in the last half of the season. The $47 million extension runs through the 2030 season and includes a team option for 2031. Shortly afterwards, the team announced that Cavalli would not pitch for the rest of the season, which makes sense to avoid injury and also to allow some of the more junior pitchers to get time on the bump. With his final pitch of the year, he fortuitously recorded his 200th strikeout.
Yovanny Cruz seems to be getting in gear. He recorded his first save for the team yesterday, bringing the Nationals close to a dubious all-time record. Fifteen different pitchers have recorded saves for the team this year, 2 shy of the record set by the 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks. Just another stat reflecting the team’s pitching woes this year.
I think Cruz will turn out to be an integral part of the bullpen in the coming years. He’s also a really nice guy — I had a lovely chat with him in the elevator in San Diego after he had just been called up again and traveled cross country. He wanted to be there to help the team, as needed.
CJ Abrams is all over the late season record board. Not since the 2019 season has a Nationals player driven in 100 runs. Abrams reached that mark on Tuesday. He also has more than 30 home runs and more than 30 stolen bases. The only other player to hit at least 30 home runs and drive in 100-plus runs this season is Cubs slugger Pete Crow-Armstrong. Soto also achieved that feat last year. Pretty good company. CJ may be a superstar in the making and, although still quite young at 25, looks to be a veteran presence in the clubhouse next year. Hopefully we’ll seem him at second base more often, which may reduce the errors (he’s tied for 2nd in all of MLB with 19).
Down on the farm, Willits (SS) has been named the 4th highest prospect in MLB. The Nationals selected Willits as the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. He is still 18. As a switch-hitter with great defensive skills he will certainly be an important member of the squad in the future. He says he wants to be in the show before he is 21. (Maybe to chase some Harper records?)
For the last few years in West Palm during spring training, I’ve seen the excitement of the coaches and players when watching Jarlin Susana on the mound. He recently made his AAA debut in Rochester. The guns clocked his first pitch at 102.6 MPH. That’s tied for the the third-fastest offering in the International League this year. The RHP is the Nationals #3 prospect and is the #66 overall prospect in MLB. He reached 102 mph twice more during his outing and averaged 101.0 mph on the 19 four-seamers and sinkers he threw that were tracked by Statcast. Unfortunately, control issues often come with speed. Susana has not been immune to control issues. But, if he can perfect controlling the location of his pitches, he will be a welcome addition to the pitching staff in DC.
Let’s keep working on being the envy of sports.
#thenatslady #theswarm
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