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Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Friday, June 26, 2026.
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Tonight: vs. Orioles, 7:05 PM ET — How will the Nats start the series in Baltimore? Will any changes be made to the bullpen?
Tomorrow: vs. Orioles, 7:05 PM ET — Can Foster Griffin continue to produce impressive outings on the mound?
Sunday: vs. Orioles, 1:35 PM ET — Can the Nationals win the series?
NATS LOSE TO PHILLIES
Bullpen fails to close out the game for the third time in a row.
Final Score: Nationals 5, Phillies 10
Date: June 25, 2026
Location: Nationals Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nationals got off to a hot start in the first inning, with a Curtis Mead home run and RBI’s from Daylen Lile, Jacob Young, and Nasim Nunez. In the third inning, Jacob Young hit another RBI, giving the Nats a 5-0 lead, but the Nats could not get things going on offense after that. Cade Cavalli gave up two runs in the sixth inning, and in total, the bullpen gave up eight runs, with five coming in the ninth inning.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Orion Kerkering ([5–0], 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K)
Losing Pitcher: Gus Varland ([1–2], 2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K)
Key Hitters:
Dylan Crews: 3-for-4, 2 R, SB
Daylen Lile: 2-for-4, R, RBI
Curtis Mead: 1-for-5, HR, RBI
Team RISP: 3-for-10
Errors: Nats 0, Phillies 2
Attendance: 28,919
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
When asked about his biggest takeaway of Thursday's loss to Philly, Manager Blake Butera said: “Our bullpen is just not getting outs.”
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Orioles, 6/25/2026, 7:05 PM ET, Orioles Park at Camden Yards
Probables: Nats — Andrew Alvarez, Orioles — Trevor Rogers
Key Storyline: Can Washington turn things around after three consecutive losses?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ Crews
✅ Lile
✅ Mead
✅ Cavalli
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THREE STRAIGHT BLOWN LEADS
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nationals' biggest flaw has been apparent all season, but the past three losses to the Phillies have highlighted this weakness. Washington's bullpen has been one of the worst in the MLB, and it is time for a change.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Record: Washington is now 41-41, and 11.5 games behind the team with the best record in the MLB, but 24 of the Nats' losses were blown leads. Washington is still the highest-scoring team in the MLB; therefore, their bullpen needs to improve if they want to be a contender.
Late-inning runs: In the ninth inning of the last three games, the Phillies have scored a combined total of 15 runs. According to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, “The team has now allowed 69 runs in the ninth inning and beyond through 81 games.”
Waiting: The Nats have multiple pitchers awaiting a return from injury. According to MLB.com, Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Jake Irvin, Trevor Williams, and Jarlin Susana are all expected to return from injury this year.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
After the loss against the Phillies on Wednesday, manager Blake Butera commented on the bullpen, saying, “We're gonna continue to give these guys opportunities. I mean, we’re throwing everything we have at these guys, and giving every guy in the bullpen an opportunity to finish the game for us, and we're gonna keep trying to find that guy.”
📈 MORNING STAT
If the Nats had won half of the games they lost due to blown leads, they would have had the best record in the MLB.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What bullpen changes do you think should be made?
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PITCHING CHANGES
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Washington's bullpen has struggled this season, with the most blown saves in the MLB (24). In response, the Nats made multiple transactions on Wednesday in the hopes of strengthening their bullpen.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Carson Palmquist: Palmquist was recalled and played on Wednesday against the Phillies. He pitched 3.1 innings, gave up 2 hits, 1 walk, 1 run, and struck out 3 batters.
Justin Lawrence: Washington claimed Lawrence off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Lawrence has not produced good stats this year, with an 8.04 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP through 28 innings, but he has an above-average strikeout percentage (25.5%) and fastball velocity (95.5).
Paxton Schultz: Schultz was optioned to Rochester on Wednesday after underperforming in the loss against the Phillies. With one out needed to end the inning after Brad Lord gave up six runs, Schults gave up three more hits, a walk, and two more runs. In his 25 games played this year, Schultz pitched 30.2 innings, posting a 5.87 ERA, and a 1.60 WHIP.
Jhancarlos Lara: On June 12, Lara was picked up by the Nats and assigned to the Harrisburg Senators on the 16th. Lara played one game for the Senators, in which he pitched 2 innings, walked 2 batters, gave up 2 hits, and 4 runs. Lara was designated for assignment on Wednesday, and he will likely be sent to single-A or be dropped.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
When asked about the bullpen after Thursday's loss, manager Blake Butera said, “I think you gotta attack, you gotta throw strikes, and if we're afraid to do so, we’ll keep giving the next guy an opportunity until somebody steps up and shows they want the ball and they're ready to go attack.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Is there a pitching change that you want to see? Is there someone you want the Nats to sign or trade?
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Speed Reads
📌 Washington Nationals/Harrisburg Senators Minor League Transactions (The Nats Report)