Nationals Enter Crucial Series Against Marlins With NL East and Wild Card Race Heating Up

Washington, D.C.

The Washington Nationals are in a spot that feels important now. After Sunday’s win and series victory over the San Diego Padres, they turn right around and get ready for the Miami Marlins coming to town.

The Nationals sit in second place in the NL East, with a chance to put some distance between themselves and the Philadelphia Phillies. They’re also just one game out of the final NL Wild Card spot, so both the division race and the playoff picture are very much in play.

A big chance against Miami

The Marlins are coming to Washington at a good time for the Nationals. If this team wants to stay in the NL East race, this is the kind of series it needs to win. Not just compete in. Win.

That matters even more at home, where Washington has turned things around. The Nationals are 9-5 in their last 14 home games after opening the season 3-12 at Nationals Park. That’s a big turnaround, and it gives them a real chance to keep building momentum.

The Phillies are still close behind. The Nationals can’t afford to let this opportunity slip away.

GAME QUOTE

"I feel like I have been a little bit better in swing decisions... My timing has been a little bit better … and a little bit of luck, too. I think just going up with a good plan, and just being on time and just trusting your plan.”

James Wood on his recent success at the plate

Wild Card race is tight

It's not just about the division. Washington is one game back of the final National League Wild Card spot, which means every game carries more weight right now. One good week can move them into the mix. One bad week can send them back into the middle of the pack. That's where they are right now and it makes this home stand feel even bigger.

What's been working

The Nationals haven't been perfect, but they've been doing enough in the right areas. Timely hitting has helped them score without needing huge innings. The starting pitching has given them chances to stay in games. And the bullpen has done just enough late to close things out. It hasn't always been pretty, but it's worked.

Since May 6, Washington's offense leads MLB in home runs, extra-base hits, doubles, slugging percentage, OPS, and runs scored. The Nationals have also had at least one extra-base hit in 29 straight games one of the longest active streaks in baseball.

A big part of that offensive surge has been James Wood and CJ Abrams in May. Wood has been one of the best players in all of baseball and he's looking like the kind of impact bat Washington can build around for years to come.

The Nationals haven't been perfect, but they've been doing enough in the right areas. Timely hitting has helped them score without needing huge innings. The starting pitching has given them chances to stay in games. And the bullpen has done just enough late to close things out. It hasn't always been pretty, but it's worked.

The hottest offense in baseball

Since May 6, Washington’s offense leads MLB in home runs, extra-base hits, doubles, slugging percentage, OPS, and runs scored. The Nationals have also had at least one extra-base hit in 29 straight games — one of the longest active streaks in baseball.

A big part of that has been James Wood and CJ Abrams in May. Wood has been one of the best players in baseball — the kind of impact bat Washington can build around for years to come. Entering Sunday, Wood led MLB with 51 runs scored and four leadoff home runs, while ranking near the top of the NL in walks, OBP, OPS, wRC+, extra-base hits, home runs, doubles, and RBI.

Over his last 15 games, Wood is hitting .379 with a .593 OBP and .603 slugging percentage. He added another home run Sunday, going 1-for-3 in the win over San Diego. He’s also reached base safely in seven of his 12 career plate appearances against Logan Canning, going 4-for-9 with a double, two home runs, and three walks.

After Sunday’s win, manager Blake Butera pointed to Wood’s timing and plate discipline as the defining factors. “It just seems like he’s on time for everything,” Butera said. “He’s getting pitched so hard, too, that it’s so impressive. Sometimes I just sit back and enjoy watching him take his at-bats against some of the better arms. Seems like every team is trying to match up for him specifically. He’s seeing the ball out of the hand pretty well, and he’s laying off some tough pitches, too.”

Wood himself credits better swing decisions and improved timing. “I feel like I have been a little bit better in swing decisions,” he said. “My timing has been a little bit better … and a little bit of luck, too. I think just going up with a good plan, and just being on time and just trusting your plan.”

CJ Abrams among NL Shortstops

CJ Abrams has also been a big reason Washington’s offense has taken a step forward. His speed, defense, and presence at the top of the lineup have helped set the tone and when he’s getting on base and putting pressure on opposing pitchers, the Nationals’ offense looks a lot more dangerous. Entering Sunday’s game, Abrams ranks among the top players in both Major League Baseball and the National League.

Among National League hitters, he is 2nd in RBI (47), 4th in OPS (.928), wOBA (.401), and wRC+ (159), tied for 7th in extra-base hits (28), and 7th in both slugging percentage (.538) and on-base percentage (.390).

Keibert Ruiz is locked in

Another key piece of Washington’s big May has been catcher Keibert Ruiz, who’s been outstanding both behind the plate and at it.

On a tear at the plate

Entering Sunday, Ruiz had hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games, going 18-for-45 (.400) with seven doubles, four home runs, 16 RBI, and 10 runs scored. He added to that run today, going 2-for-3 with singles in the third and fifth innings.

On the season, Ruiz is tied for first among major league catchers with 12 doubles and ranks fourth in slugging percentage (.514) among catchers with at least 100 plate appearances.

The Nationals haven't been perfect, but they've been doing enough in the right areas. Timely hitting has helped them score without needing huge innings. The starting pitching has given them chances to stay in games. And the bullpen has done just enough late to close things out. It hasn't always been pretty, but it's worked.

GAME Quote

"It just seems like he’s [James Wood] on time for everything... Sometimes I just sit back and enjoy watching him take his at-bats against some of the better arms... He’s seeing the ball out of the hand pretty well, and he’s laying off some tough pitches, too”

Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera on James Wood