James Wood is currently ranked ninth among all outfielders in this year’s All-Star voting, with 678,358 votes so far. Let’s help him climb higher in the race to make the All-Star Game! Nationals fans, now’s the time to rally and cast your votes to boost Wood’s standing and secure his spot in phase two of the voting.

You can vote up to five times every 24 hours at MLB.com and on the official MLB app. Let’s get James Wood the recognition he deserves!

Yesterday afternoon, I published an article examining whether the Washington Nationals’ current approach to handling prospects might actually be undermining the very rebuild they have invested so heavily in, a process they hope will eventually bring another championship to D.C. The piece sparked a wide range of responses, from readers who called it a “very fair critique” to a lively exchange with 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen, where we discussed the team’s past, present, and future direction.

Although it will take years to fully judge the impact of this strategy, one thing remains clear: even as the Nationals struggle to field their best team right now, the fan base is still active, engaged, and genuinely passionate about baseball. That kind of authentic enthusiasm can’t be manufactured or replaced—it’s just real and good for the team and baseball in Washington D.C. Who’s to say Washington, D.C. isn’t, in fact, a baseball town?

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The Washington Nationals had an offensive surge with a 10-6 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, powered by standout performances from young stars CJ Abrams and James Wood, both acquired from San Diego three years ago. Abrams went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, while Wood also went 3-for-5, driving in four runs, including a three-run homer that marked his 22nd of the season.

The Nationals’ bats came alive after a slow start, erupting for four runs in the fourth inning and extending their lead with a string of singles in the fifth. Luis García Jr. contributed to the rally and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. The offense provided crucial support for starter Mitchell Parker, who pitched effectively through six innings, allowing minimal damage against a tough Padres lineup.

A scary moment occurred when catcher Keibert Ruiz was struck on the head by a foul ball in the dugout. He left the game conscious and coherent for further evaluation at a hospital, leaving backup Riley Adams as the only catcher for the rest of the night.

Despite a late Padres rally, Wood’s eighth-inning homer and Josh Bell’s right-handed blast helped secure the win. Manager Davey Martinez credited the team’s improved plate discipline and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities for their recent success, as the Nationals have now hit 11 home runs in their last four games.

Up next…

The Nationals are scheduled to send right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams to the mound with a 3-8 record and a 5.54 ERA tonight with a scheduled first pitch at 9:40 p.m. EDT. Williams has 58 strikeouts on the season. Williams has a career 4.91 ERA over five games, 22.0 innings pitched against the Padres and 20 strikeouts, and a 1-1 record.

Today, the Rochester Red Wings will host their “arch-rival,” the Syracuse Mets, on Opening Day 2.0. Rochester finished in 20th place out of 20 teams in the International League’s first half of the season, but on Tuesday, the Red Wings get a “mulligan” or a “do-over.” Every team now has a record of 0-0.

Last year, the Omaha Storm Chasers came in 19th place in the first half. They won the second half by improving their fundamentals and simply playing good, sound baseball. I think coming up with the idea of a split season was an excellent idea. A team that had no hope of contending for a title or simply enjoying a good season now has hope.

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📌 Washington Nationals Suddenly Hot Bats Head to San Diego (Federal Baseball)

📌 MLB Power Rankings: Phillies flexing, Twins struggling and we look on the bright side (The Athletic)

📌 Inside the unusual experience of covering Major League Baseball in a minor league setting (Cleveland.com)