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Game Details
Washington Nationals (61-68) vs. Miami Marlins (64-64)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Brad Lord (5-2; 4.04 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Gusto (0-3; 4.70 ERA)
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026. | 7:10 p.m. EDT | Game: #130 | Road Game: #67
Location: loanDepot Park| Miami FL.
Washington Nationals game storylines and quick notes on why this game matters.
Tonight, the Washington Nationals will continue their three city road trip and kick off the end of the trip with a weekend series against the Miami Marlins.
The Nationals are scheduled to send right handed pitcher Brad Lord to the mound who has a 5-2 record an an ERA of 4.04, while the Miami Marlins are scheduled to send right handed pitcher Ryan Gusto who has a 0-3 with an ERA of 4.70.
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Game Recap
LAST GAME RECAP
Last night the Washington Nationals were shut out by the Texas Rangers to end their series. The Washington Nationals were only able to muster one hit all game, leaving four base runners on base in the shout out loss.
Left handed pitcher Andrew Alvarez was tagged with the loss after going 5.0 innings, and giving up only one earned run on four hits and struck out five and faced 22 batters, throwing 75 pitches and 41 of them being strikes.
Washington Nationals Schedule
Up Next…
On Deck…
Tomorrow, the Washington Nationals will play game two of three against the Miami Marlins with the first pitch at 4:10 p.m. EDT. The Nationals are scheduled to send RHP Jake Irvin (2-7, 5.80 ERA) to the mound and are scheduled to face right handed pitcher Eury Perez (6-9, 3.23 ERA).
Right handed pitcher Jake Irvin is set to start against the Marlins for the first time this season. Irvin is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA with 10 strikeouts and three walks in three career starts at IoanDepot Park.
In the hole…
On Sunday, the Washington Nationals will conclude their three-city road trip and will face the Miami Marlins with the first pitch scheduled to be at 1:40 p.m. EDT. [Here are the probable pitching matchups]
Ending Strong
The Washington Nationals bullpen has been one of the club’s most reliable strengths recently. Under bullpen coach Dustin Glant, Washington relievers have combined for a 2.75 ERA, allowing 17 earned runs over 55.2 innings across the last 14 games.
Several arms have fueled that run. Since joining the Nationals on Aug. 5, Will Dion has thrown 9.0 scoreless innings while striking out nine and walking two. Opponents have managed only one hit in 27 at-bats against him, good for a .037 average.
Orlando Ribalta has also continued to give Washington quality relief work, posting a 1.74 ERA over his last 10 appearances. He has allowed two earned runs in 10.1 innings, held opponents to a .189 average (7-for-37), and stranded all five inherited runners he has been asked to protect.
Since returning from the injured list on July 29, Trevor Williams has recorded 19 strikeouts against just three walks in 14.2 innings. He has posted a 1.84 ERA during that stretch, allowing three earned runs while earning one hold.
Clayton Beeter has been equally effective, going 2–0 without allowing an earned run in 6.0 innings across six appearances. He has limited opponents to a .118 average (2-for-17) and recorded six strikeouts.
Why it matters:
A dependable bullpen changes the way the Nationals can manage close games. When relievers consistently protect leads, limit damage, and strand inherited runners, the club is better positioned to turn competitive starts into wins rather than asking its offense to repeatedly overcome late deficits.
The recent performance also gives Washington manager and coaching staff more flexibility. Dion, Ribalta, Williams, and Beeter are each providing meaningful outs in different situations, helping reduce the workload on the rest of the relief corps while giving the Nationals multiple trusted options in high-leverage moments.
Washington Nationals Player Spotlight: CJ Abrams
CJ Abrams, the National League Player of the Month for July, has positioned himself among baseball’s most productive offensive players in 2026. The Nationals shortstop ranks near the top of both the National League and Major League leaderboards while continuing to build an historic season for the franchise.
Abrams enters play with 91 RBI, tied with Ian Desmond’s 2014 season for the most RBI by a shortstop in Nationals history (since 2005). With nine more RBI, he would become the 12th player in Nationals history to record 100 RBI in a season—and the first since Anthony Rendon (126) and Juan Soto (110) did so in 2019.
He is also closing in on rare power-speed territory. Abrams needs six more stolen bases to become just the second player in Nationals history to record a 30-home run, 30-stolen-base season, joining Alfonso Soriano, who hit 40 home runs and stole 41 bases in 2006.
Abrams ranks fourth in Major League Baseball with 91 RBI and fourth in the National League with 249 total bases. His 57 extra-base hits are tied for fourth in the NL, while his 140 wRC+ and .378 wOBA both rank fifth. He also sits sixth in the National League in slugging percentage (.530) and OPS (.884), while his 29 home runs rank seventh.
Why it matters:
Abrams is not simply putting together a strong season as he is delivering MVP-caliber offensive production across the league. His run production, power, ability to reach base, and speed make him one of the National League’s most complete offensive players.
A potential 30-homer, 30-steal season would be a significant franchise milestone, putting Abrams alongside Soriano as the only Nationals players to accomplish the feat. More broadly, his production gives Washington a true centerpiece at a premium position and reinforces the value of the young core around which the organization is building.
From the Washington Nationals Dugout
“Notes from the Washington Nationals Dugout” compiles key game notes, recent performances and notable milestones from across the roster.
Below is a quick snapshot of standout trends and individual highlights during the current stretch.
SEE YOU LATER!: The Washington Nationals have emerged as one of baseball’s most powerful offenses, leading Major League Baseball with 182 home runs which is seven more than the New York Yankees’ 175.
Washington’s power surge has been especially dramatic since May 6. After entering that day ranked 12th in MLB with 41 home runs, the Nationals have hit 145 homers, the most in the majors over that span and 18 more than the next-closest club, the New York Mets (127).
The production has been spread throughout the lineup. Seven Nationals players CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, Luis García Jr., Daylen Lile, Jake Mead, James Wood, and Jacob Young have hit at least 10 home runs. That is Washington’s highest total of players with double-digit homers in a season since the 2019 World Series championship club had 10.
Why it Matters: This is not a power surge driven by one or two players; it reflects lineup-wide development and depth. With multiple hitters capable of leaving the yard, opponents have fewer places to hide in the lineup and must navigate dangerous at-bats throughout the game.
The Nationals’ ability to pair league-leading home-run production with an aggressive base running identity gives them more ways to score. Rather than relying solely on extended rallies or perfect sequencing, Washington can change a game with one swing, manufacture runs with its speed, and put sustained pressure on opposing pitching staffs.
Baby We’re Born to Run: The Washington Nationals have been one of baseball’s most aggressive and effective teams on the bases this season, leading Major League Baseball with 136 stolen bases. According to FanGraphs, Washington also ranks first in MLB with 9.7 base running runs above average.
Nasim Nuñez has been at the center of that success, leading the majors with 40 stolen bases. He is seven steals away from matching CJ Abrams’ Nationals-era single-season record of 47, set in 2023.
With 40 steals, Nuñez has joined a select group in Nationals history (since 2005) to reach the mark. The only other players to do so are Alfonso Soriano, who stole 41 bases in 2006; Trea Turner, who recorded 43 steals in 2016 and 46 in 2017; and Abrams, who stole 47 in 2023.
Why it Matters: Washington’s base running creates offense without needing an extra-base hit. A stolen base can move a runner into scoring position, put additional pressure on opposing pitchers and catchers, create more opportunities for productive outs, and force defenses to adjust. That is particularly valuable for a young Nationals lineup that can manufacture runs even when it is not consistently hitting for power.
Nuñez’s chase of the franchise-era stolen-base record also highlights his development into a meaningful offensive weapon. His speed gives Washington a disruptive presence at the top or bottom of the lineup, and it reflects the larger identity the Nationals have built this season: an athletic, aggressive club capable of creating advantages through defense, pitching, and pressure on the bases.
On the mound for the Washington Nationals
Brad Lord
Right-handed pitcher Brad Lord will look to rebound after a difficult relief outing against the New York Mets on Aug. 15 at Citi Field. Lord allowed two earned runs on one hit and four walks while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning, receiving a no-decision in Washington’s 5–4 loss.
Lord is scheduled to make his first career start—and fifth career appearance—against the Miami Marlins. In four previous outings against Miami, he has allowed just one earned run over 6.0 innings for a 1.50 ERA, recording six strikeouts.
While Lord is transitioning into a starting role for this matchup, he has been a valuable option out of the Nationals’ bullpen this season. Across 27 relief appearances, he is 5–2 with a 3.97 ERA, four holds, one save, and 51 strikeouts in 56.2 innings.
His strongest stretch came from May 8 through June 13, when he posted a 3–0 record and surrendered only one earned run across 21.1 innings in 10 appearances. During that span, opponents hit just .137 against him (10-for-73), while Lord struck out 21 batters.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS BY THE NUMBERS
The Washington Nationals have the following records.
Day: 27-28 | Night: 34-40 | Home Record: 27-36 | Road Record: 34-32
Month Record: 6-12 | Current Streak: L1 | Previous Month Record: 11-13
A.L. Teams: 23-19 | N.L. Teams: 38-49 | A.L. West: 7-5 | N.L. East: 11:27
vs. LHSP: 23-19 | vs. RHSP: 38-49 | Series Opener: 17-24 | Series Opener on Road: 10-11 | By Road Series: 13-7-1 | When the Nationals Score first: 46-29 | Opponent Scored First: 15-39
White Script Nationals: 11-20 | Red Curly W: 6-4 | City Connect: 5-4 | Blue Jersey: 13-17 | Road Gray: 25-21
Important information about the Nats Report Game Notes:
Unless otherwise noted, all times listed are in the Eastern USA Time Zone.
Please note that Game Notes will not be updated in the event of lineup changes, postponements, or cancellations by the Washington Nationals.
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Baseball-Reference, the Washington Nationals, and MLB.com provide the stats and content unless otherwise noted. The Nats Report isn’t responsible for the accuracy of the stats provided.