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Washington Nationals Game Details at a glance
Washington Nationals (61-70) at Miami Marlins (66-64)
Pitching Matchup: LHP Jackson Kent (0-1, 9.39 ERA) vs. RHP Janson Junk (6-8, 4.37 ERA)
Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 1:40 p.m. EDT | Game: #132 | Road Game: #69
Location: loanDepot Park| Miami FL.
Washington Nationals game storylines and quick notes on why this game matters.
This afternoon, the Washington Nationals will wrap up their weekend series against the Miami Marlins and also a grueling three-city road trip. The Nationals hope to end the road trip and series with a win against the Marlins to avoid a sweep.
The Nationals will send left-handed pitcher Jackson Kent to the mound who will be making his third career start and first start against the Miami Marlins.
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Washington Nationals Schedule
Up Next…
On Deck…
WELCOME HOME!
After a grueling three-city road trip, the Washington Nationals will return back to Nationals Park tomorrow to kick off a 10 game homestand which will feature matchups between the Colorado Rockies and then the Miami Marlins at the end of the week to close out the month of August and then the Nationals will welcome the Atlanta Braves after a much needed and deserved day off.
Tomorrow, the Nationals will kick off a four game series against the Rockies with the scheduled pitcher to be right handed pitcher Cade Cavalli who has a 11-5 record and an ERA of 3.22 .
The Nationals are scheduled to face right handed pitcher Ryan Feltner who has a 5-7 record and an ERA of 5.97 .
Right handed pitcher Cade Cavalli ranks sixth in the National League in strikeouts (162) and eighth in ERA (3.22). Since June 30, he ranks in the NL in strikeouts (2nd, 73), ERA (4th, 2.12) and opp. AVG (.197), among others
First pitch is at 6:45 p.m. EDT.
In the hole…
On Tuesday, the Nationals will play game two of four against the Rockies with the scheduled pitcher to be LHP Andrew Alvarez who has a 2-5 record and an ERA of 3.60.
The Nationals are scheduled to faceLHP Kyle Freeland who has a 4-10 record and an ERA of 6.37.
The A-Team
Andrés Chaparro and Abimelec Ortiz have provided Washington with a powerful one-two punch at first base in recent weeks, giving the Nationals meaningful production from a position that has often been difficult to stabilize.
Chaparro has been one of baseball’s hottest hitters since the All-Star break. In 27 games, he is batting .304 with a .392 on-base percentage and a .710 slugging percentage, totaling seven doubles, seven home runs, 25 RBI, and 17 runs scored. His 1.103 OPS and .710 slugging percentage lead Major League Baseball during that span.
Ortiz has added a productive complementary stretch of his own. Over his last 13 games, he has posted a .548 slugging percentage with two doubles, four home runs, eight RBI, and seven runs scored. He has recorded a hit in eight of those 13 games.
Why it matters:
The Nationals’ broader power surge becomes more sustainable when it is distributed throughout the lineup rather than dependent on just one or two hitters. Chaparro’s production from the right side and Ortiz’s left-handed power give Washington a potential platoon advantage at first base, allowing the club to tailor matchups against opposing starters.
More importantly, both players are making a case for larger roles. Chaparro’s ability to combine extra-base impact with on-base skills has provided middle-of-the-order production, while Ortiz’s recent pop offers another young left-handed threat. Their performance can help Washington evaluate whether first base is a long-term in-house solution as the organization continues shaping its next competitive core
Washington Nationals Player Spotlight: Brady House
Brady House is a tall, powerful right-handed-hitting third baseman who made his Major League debut with the Nationals in 2025. Still early in his big league career, House has shown growing power, improved plate discipline, and a notable ability to handle left-handed pitching.
House went 0-for-3 with a walk on Aug. 22 at Miami. On the current road trip, he is batting .227 with a home run, four RBI, three walks, and a run scored. His recent body of work has been more encouraging: over his last 11 games, House is 10-for-35 (.286) with a homer, four RBI, four walks, two hit-by-pitches, a stolen base, and four runs scored.
Strength Against Lefties
One of House’s clearest strengths has been his production against left-handed pitching. He ranks third in Major League Baseball with a .355 average against lefties and sixth in the National League with a .592 slugging percentage, among players with at least 80 plate appearances versus southpaws.
Against left-handed pitchers, House is 27-for-76 with six doubles, four home runs, 14 RBI, and seven walks. That works out to a .355 batting average and .410 on-base percentage, making him a valuable matchup option in the middle or lower portion of Washington’s lineup when an opposing lefty takes the mound.
Growth at the Plate
House has also made progress with his approach. His walk rate has climbed from 2.9 percent in 2025 to 6.9 percent in 2026, an important development for a young power hitter. More walks can help House get into better counts, avoid chasing pitcher’s pitches, and maximize the value of his extra-base ability.
He has also shown a flair for timely power. House became the fifth player in Nationals history to record two extra-base hits off the bench when he doubled and homered against Baltimore on May 16. He hit his first career grand slam on April 29 against the Mets’ Sean Manaea, then recorded his first pinch-hit homer on Aug. 5 at Philadelphia against Brooks Raley.
House’s most recent home run came on August 16, 2026 against the New York Mets at Citi Field. He enters today’s game with 13 career Major League homers.
Why it matters:
Brady House could remain an important piece of Washington’s long-term infield picture. His ability to punish left-handed pitching already gives the Nationals a useful present-day skill, while his improved walk rate suggests a more mature offensive profile may be developing.
The next step is consistency, particularly with runners in scoring position. House is hitting .203 in those situations, though five of his 14 hits have gone for home runs and he has driven in 23 runs. If he can pair his developing on-base skills with more reliable overall contact, House has the tools to become a middle-of-the-order run producer at third base for the Nationals.
Washington Nationals Notes from the 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: Washington’s power surge has become one of the defining strengths of its season. The Nationals lead Major League Baseball with 183 home runs, six more than the second-place New York Yankees (177).
The club’s turnaround at the plate has been especially pronounced since May 6. Washington has hit an MLB-best 146 homers in that span, 13 more than the New York Mets, who rank second with 133. The Nationals entered play on May 6 with 41 home runs, which ranked 12th in the Majors. The Washington Nationals also have seven players with at least 10 home runs: C.J. Abrams, Dylan Crews, Luis García Jr., Daylen Lile, Curtis Mead, James Wood, and Jacob Young. That is the franchise’s highest total since the 2019 Nationals had 10 players reach double digits in homers.
Come to the end of the road. Still I can't let go: Dustin Glant’s bullpen has been one of Washington’s biggest strengths lately. Over the club’s past 16 games, Nationals relievers have combined for a 2.86 ERA, allowing 20 earned runs in 63 innings. The Nationals bullpen has been even better over the last six games, posting a 1.83 ERA while holding opponents to a .211 batting average. Washington’s bullpen has allowed just four earned runs in 19 2/3 innings during that stretch.
Several relievers have fueled the recent success:
Will Dion has thrown 12 scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts and four walks since joining the Nationals on Aug. 5. Opponents are 2-for-37 against him, a .054 average. He also leads all rookie relievers this season with a 5.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio, recording 38 strikeouts against seven walks.
Orlando Ribalta has posted a 1.54 ERA over his past 11 appearances, allowing two earned runs in 11 2/3 innings. Opponents are batting .171 against him during that span, and he has stranded all seven inherited runners he has faced.
Trevor Williams has been effective since returning from the injured list on July 29. In 14 2/3 innings, he has struck out 19 while walking only three and owns a 1.84 ERA with one hold.
They headed down south and they're still running today. Singin'. Go on, take the money and run: The Washington The Nationals have turned speed into a major competitive advantage this season. Washington leads Major League Baseball with 139 stolen bases and has generated 10.0 base running runs above average, according to FanGraphs.
That metric captures more than stolen bases, also crediting teams for taking extra bases, avoiding outs, and creating value through aggressive but efficient movement on the bases.
Nasim Nuñez has been at the center of that attack. His 42 stolen bases lead the Majors, and he is just five steals away from matching C.J. Abrams’ Nationals single-season record of 47, set in 2023
Why it matters: Washington’s speed gives it another way to manufacture offense, particularly in close games or when the lineup is not relying on extra-base hits. Nuñez’s ability to reach scoring position can pressure opposing pitchers and catchers, create more favorable situations for hitters behind him, and change how opponents defend the Nationals.
For this young Nationals club, leading the league in both steals and overall base running value also reflects an identity: aggressive, athletic, and capable of creating runs without waiting for the long ball.
On the mound for the Washington Nationals
LHP Jackson Kent
Left-hander Jackson Kent is coming off a difficult outing against the Texas Rangers on Aug. 18, when he allowed five earned runs on eight hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings during Washington’s 5-0 loss. He struck out three.
Kent earned his promotion after going 9-4 with a 3.72 ERA and 105 strikeouts across 20 starts between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. Over 94 1/3 minor league innings, he held opponents to a .216 batting average and .277 on-base percentage while posting a 1.12 WHIP.
At the time of his call-up, Kent led Washington’s minor league system in opponent on-base percentage and ranked second in both winning percentage (.692) and WHIP. His .277 opponent OBP ranked ninth among all Minor League pitchers, while his opponent batting average and WHIP both ranked 11th.
Kent made his Major League debut as a starter on Aug. 12 against the Chicago Cubs, becoming the 31st pitcher originally signed or drafted and developed by the Nationals to start a game for the club since 2005.
Why it matters:
Kent is one of the Nationals’ more notable homegrown pitching developments. Before his promotion, he went 9-4 with a 3.72 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 20 starts between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester, covering 94 1/3 innings. He limited opponents to a .216 batting average, .277 on-base percentage, and a 1.12 WHIP.
Those numbers were among the strongest in the organization at the time of his call-up. Kent led Nationals minor leaguers in opponent OBP, ranked second in winning percentage and WHIP, and placed among the top 11 pitchers across Minor League Baseball in opponent OBP, opponent batting average, and WHIP.
His Aug. 12 debut against the Cubs also carried organizational significance: Kent became the 31st pitcher signed or drafted and developed by Washington to start a game for the Nationals since 2005. His development is important because he represents another potential long-term, cost-controlled rotation option as the club continues building around its young core.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS BY THE NUMBERS
The Washington Nationals have the following records.
Day: 27-29 | Night: 34-41 | Home Record: 27-36 | Road Record: 34-34
Month Record: 6-14 | Current Streak: L3 | Previous Month Record: 11-13
A.L. Teams: 23-19 | N.L. Teams: 38-51 | A.L. West: 7-5 | N.L. East: 11-29
vs. LHSP: 23-19 | vs. RHSP: 38-51 | Last 5 Games: 1-4 | Last 10 Games: 2-8 | Rubber Games: 13-7 | Sweeps/Were Swept: 2-5 | Comeback Wins: 23-40 | Hit 0 HR: 9-25 | Hit 2+ HR: 31-25
White Script Nationals: 11-20 | Red Curly W: 6-4 | City Connect: 5-4 | Blue Jersey: 13-17 | Road Gray: 25-23
OPPOSITION RESEARCH
MIAMI MARLINS
The Miami Marlins are 40–25 at loanDepot park this season and became the fourth MLB club to reach 40 home victories on Saturday, joining Tampa Bay (45), Milwaukee (43), and Atlanta (42). It marks Miami’s first 40-win home season since 2023, when the club established a loanDepot park record with 46 victories.
A win today would guarantee the Marlins finish with a winning home record for the sixth time in ballpark history, following 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2023.
Since May 22, Miami has won 10 of its past 12 home series, compiling a 25–10 record and recording five sweeps. Over that stretch, the Marlins own MLB’s only sub-3.00 home ERA at 2.91 (102 earned runs in 316 innings), while their starters have posted a 2.42 ERA (47 earned runs in 174 2/3 innings).
Right handed pitcher Janson Junk
Right-hander Janson Junk is scheduled to make his 19th start of the season today in the series finale against Washington. It will be his third career start and fourth overall appearance against the Nationals.
Junk took the loss in his most recent outing on Aug. 17 at Philadelphia, allowing two earned runs on eight hits over five innings in Miami’s 6-5 loss. He walked two and struck out two.
Since July 26, Junk has posted a 2.28 ERA over five starts, allowing six earned runs in 23 2/3 innings. During that stretch, he has surrendered 27 hits, one home run, and six walks while striking out 15.
Junk returned from a rehab assignment and was activated from the 15-day injured list on July 9 after missing about six weeks with right shin bone inflammation. He was placed on the injured list May 28 before his scheduled May 31 start against the Mets.
Since returning, Junk has allowed two runs or fewer in six of seven starts. He has recorded three quality starts this season, including April 6 against Cincinnati and April 28 at the Dodgers.
vs. Washington Nationals
In three career appearances against the Nationals, including two starts, Junk is 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA. He has allowed 10 earned runs on 17 hits in 16 innings, with four walks and 13 strikeouts.
His most recent outing against Washington came May 9 at loanDepot park. Junk received a no-decision after pitching six innings and matching his season high with six strikeouts. He allowed four runs on seven hits, including one home run, and two walks in Miami’s 8-7 win.
Day: 31-23 | Night: 35-41 | Home Record: 40-25 | Roof Open at first pitch: 2-2 | Roof Closed at first pitch: 38-23
Current Streak: W2 | Last 5 Games: 2-3 | Last 10 Games: 5-5 | ABS Challenges (W-L): 315 (176-139) | Replay Challenges (W-L): 21-14 | Overturned/Stands/Confirmed: 21/10/4
Thread Count: Miami Home White: 27-13 | Retrowave City Connect: 5-7 | Miami Black: 8-15 | Marlins Teal: 7-3
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.