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Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Thursday, May 21, 2026.
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Today vs. New York Mets 4:05 PM ET
Friday @ Atlanta Braves 7:15 PM ET - New Away Series
Saturday @ Atlanta Braves 4:10 PM ET
Sunday @ Atlanta Braves 4:10 PM ET
Nats Win Back to Back, Finding Momentum
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
After a brutal loss in 12 innings against the Mets on Monday, the Nats quickly realized what was going wrong and win back to back games against the Mets on Tuesday and Wednesday to go up 2-1 in the 4 game series and move to .500 on the year (25-25). Already winning their first series this season against the Mets, the Nats move to 4-2 on the season against them, meaning a win today for 3 straight would just be the cherry on top.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Nats have had a rollercoaster of a season, hanging around 5-6 games below .500 for the majority of April. With their current standing against the Mets in this series, the Nats have won/tied 6 of their last 8 series, going from 11-16 on the year on April 24th, now standing at 25-25 on the season, consistently stringing together wins with sights on winning their 3rd straight today.
Notably now tied for 2nd in the NL East with the Phillies, the Nats have a huge weekend coming up, traveling to face the hottest team in the league, and current first place NL East team Atlanta Braves Friday-Sunday. Going 1-4 against them earlier in the season when the Nats were struggling, this is their chance to show that they can compete with the best of the best. Now standing at .500, the Nats have found their footing in games offensively and defensively, and it will be put to the test this weekend in Atlanta.
Pitching-wise barring some outlier performances, the Nats bullpen, a key struggle for them in their losses is finally heating up. Recently Richard Lovelady has been getting the call to close games, and the 30 year-old lefty has done a solid job. In the month of May he has tallied 3 saves, a 2.57 ERA and 8 strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched. Hopefully he can continue putting games away when it matters, tallying up saves and giving the Nats coaching an arm to rely on.
CJ Abrams has not slowed down throughout the Nats season, and it doesn’t look like he plans on it anytime soon. Now tied for first place in the MLB for RBIs on the season, CJ Abrams is up to 42 RBIs, putting up 3 in yesterday’s game. On a crazy pace for 136 this season, let’s hope he can continue putting up this consistency for the Nats, being a focal reason the Nats are winning some of these games during their hot streak.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Rather than just going off randomly for insane performances, manager Blake Butera stress how consistent CJ Abrams is, putting up amazing averages and stats night in and night out.
“To be one of the best players in baseball, which I think CJ has the potential to do – and he’s shown it offensively this year with the names that he's right up there with in terms of offensive success this year – it takes a concerted effort daily to be the best version of yourself,” manager Blake Butera said.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
How do you see the series against the Braves going this weekend? Do you think the Nats can continue their streak and show they can stand with one of the best teams in baseball?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
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Nats Beat Mets, Move to 2-1 on the Series
🔥 HEADLINE
Abrams powers 3 run shot in the first inning to get the Nats off to the start they needed to push through the game.
Final Score: Nationals 8, Mets 4
Date: May 20, 2026
Location: National’s Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nationals win their 2nd straight game, pulling off a 8-4 victory against the Mets in a series that they could easily be up 3-0 in. Seemingly having New York’s number this season, the Nats offense has dominated the Mets pitching, putting up 8 runs per game in this series. Absolutely insane numbers to be keeping up with, the offense looks unstoppable and we can only hope it continues on like this.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Zack Littell ([3–4], 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)
Losing Pitcher: Zach Thornton ([0–1], 4.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K)
Key Hitters:
Keibert Ruiz: 2-for-3, RBI, Double
CJ Abrams: 2-for-4, 2 Runs, 3 RBI Homer
Jacob Young: 2-for-4, Double, 2 RBI Homer
Team RISP: [4-for-7]
Errors: Nats 0, Mets 1
Attendance: 18,642
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nationals are 4-2 agains the Mets this season, meaning regardless of a win today they will be up on them on the season. [Keibert Ruiz Stays Red-Hot: Nationals Catcher Powers Surge with Extra-Base Hit Streak]
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Mets, Today, 4:05 PM ET, Nationals Park
Probables: Nats — Cade Cavalli, Opponent — Undecided
Key Storyline: Can the Nats win 3 in a row as they look to close out series with Mets?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats get the job done today, taking a 3 game winning streak into their action packed weekend.
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theFuture
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Get those brooms out! Nationals minor league affiliates go 4-0 on Wednesday, a feat that seems to happen every other day for the powerhouses the Nats currently have in the farm leagues. Fredericksburg Nationals continue to lead the pack Red Wings win 5 in a row, and the others continue to press on, with every minor league affiliate above .500 on the year.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Fred Nats, National’s Single-A affiliate continue to be seemingly unstoppable, posting the best record in Single-A, 29-12 on the season. In their 3-2 win Wednesday, Fred Nats Juan Cruz had a fantastic outing, tallying 3 hits, and all 3 RBIs for the team with a double and a homer. Now batting .271 on the season, Cruz continues to give valuable play to the Nats Single-A affiliate.
The Nats Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings win 7-2 Wednesday, winning their 5th straight game and moving their record to 27-22 on the season. Nats number 9 prospect Seaver King was called up from the Senators to the Red Wings and has continued to play at an unreal pace. Tallying 2 hits and a walk in Wednesday’s win, King is now batting .571 in 3 games. He could easily see a call up to the majors in the near future.
The Harrisburg Senators, Nats Double-A affiliate won 3-1 Wednesday, moving to 22-19 on the season. Consistently battling out gritty games, the Senators saw help from 26 year old righty pitcher Connor Van Scoyoc. Connor has posted a 1.97 ERA through 11 games and 32 IP, tallying 33 strikeouts. The Senators ace is now 5-1 on the season and could see a call up in his future.
The Nats High-A affiliate Wilmington Blue Rocks won 3-2 on Wednesday, moving them to 21-19 on the season. Winning back to back, the Blue Rocks have been greatly helped by Elijah Greene. Greene the 22 year-old, who has worked his way up from the Fred Nats continues to play solid baseball, tallying 3 hits in 4 at bats in their last 2 wins. Hopefully he keeps up the work as he continues to grind through the majors.
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nats minor league teams are now a combined 99-72 record on the year, an absolutely insane mark as they all continue to stand above .500 on the year.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Which minor league team has impressed you the most this season?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 Abrams has a talent for ruining pitchers' debuts (MLB)
📌Our Nationals writer answers your questions about Dylan Crews and Brady House (Athletic)