In partnership with
In honor of Military Appreciation Month, The Nats Report is proud to give back to those who serve. Throughout May, we’re offering one free month of full access to all active-duty military members and veterans—our way of saying thank you for your service and sacrifice. From exclusive Nationals coverage to in-depth analysis and insider content, we’re excited to keep you connected to the team all season long. If you or someone you know has served, be sure to take advantage of this special offer!
Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up!
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Tonight vs. Minnesota Twins, 6:45 PM ET
Wednesday vs. Minnesota Twins, 6:45 PM ET
Thursday vs. Minnesota Twins, 1:05 PM ET
Friday @ Miami Marlins, 7:10 PM ET - New Away Series
Start of a Big Week for the Nats
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
After winning a crucial third game to avoid a sweep against the Brewers over the weekend, the Nats are rested up at home, ready to keep their momentum going into this week. With some good outcomes this week, the Nats could be sitting at solo 2nd place in the NL East come the weekend, a big goal for them to chase over the next 6 days.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Nats currently sit at 16-19 on the season so far, 3rd in the NL East. After winning their game Sunday, the Nats head into a week full of promise and outcomes. Kicking it off today with their series against the struggling Twins, there is no reason the Nats couldn’t win 2 or all 3. Following that heading into the weekend they play the Marlins, currently half a game ahead of the Nats in the NL East. One good week with some momentum and the Nats could be up to 2nd place and .500 on the year.
Over the weekend the Nats offense was unable to find their rhythm, scoring 5 runs through 3 games. However, Nats fans should remain optimistic that they can easily bounce back offensively this week, as the offense has put up record numbers throughout the season, and one bad weekend shouldn’t shake them, still scoring 5.14 runs per game on average.
If the Nats offense is able to get back on track this week, the team could be dangerous. In a season of nonstop pitching struggles, the Nats have finally turned a page. It seems Blake Butera has found his rotation he likes, with his aces dealing the usual, and Blake starting to take the pressure off his struggling starters. In a season of struggle for Zack Littell and Miles Mikolas, Butera has taken to using bullpen arms for openers, setting the tone and greatly helping them lower their ERA and numbers recently.
As the rotation continues to shift and Butera uses openers for his starters to find their rhythm, keep an eye on PJ Poulin. When opening the game for Miles Mikolas, Poulin has greatly taken the pressure off, pitching only 0.2 and 1.2 innings before Miles goes in, where he has only allowed 2 earned runs through 7.2 innings, a great comparison to his season 8.23 ERA. Butera’s managing gives Nats fans a sigh of relief on days the Nats just need solid pitching for the offense, something that hasn’t happened until late.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
After a rough start to the season, Zack Litell’s win on Sunday proved that the team and front office still have full faith in his pitching ability. He has been great in the past, and is slowly getting closer to getting back to his old self.
“I thought he was tremendous,” said Richard Lovelady, who earned the save. “... I’ve seen him when he was with the Rays – the guy’s a great pitcher. Just because you have a couple struggling starts to start the year, it’s not going to define who you are for the season.”
Zack Littell is on the same page as his peers, knowing that in his struggling open to the season, he has been too much in his own head. He is a great pitcher and just needs to go out there and pitch his game.
“To be honest with you, I haven't not felt settled in any of the games,” Littell said. “I think that there's maybe a little bit more of an ‘eff it’ attitude, an ‘it can't get any worse’ type of thing. That sounds terrible, but I think there's something to be said for that as well, just going out there and not feeling like there’s anything to lose.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats can make the climb up to 2nd in the NL East this week and possibly even .500? How close do you think they get this week?t
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
Drive engagement and growth. Hear about the new NatsReport live blog? Check out the live updates right on our website here!
Want exclusive breakdowns before anyone else? 🔔 Subscribe to The Nats Report+ Morning Briefing — exclusive access, deep dives, and so much more!
Turn Predictions Into Profit—Get $10 Free
Sports aren’t just for watching anymore—you can trade them.
With Kalshi, you can take a position on real outcomes: who wins, season milestones, and major matchups. If you know sports, you already have an edge. Buy “Yes” or “No” shares based on what you think will happen—and earn returns if you’re right.
There’s no house—you’re trading peer-to-peer against other users, with transparent market pricing. And you can cash out anytime before the final whistle.
To get you started, we’re giving you a free $10. No deposit, no catch. Use it to test your instincts on upcoming games and see how it works.
From the playoffs to the finals, every moment is a market.
Claim your $10 and start trading sports now.
Trade responsibly.
Nats Rested at Home for Series Versus Twins
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Today’s Game: vs. Minnesota Twins, May 5, 6:45 PM ET, Nationals Park
Probables: Nats — Cade Cavalli (1-1), Twins — Taj Bradley (3-1)
Key Storyline: Can Nats start the pivotal week on the right foot, carrying their home momentum from the win Sunday?
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
As the Nats start their 3 game home series against the Twins, fans hope to see a strong display from their hit and miss team so far this year. The Nats, seemingly finally figuring out their pitching struggles, look to put together 3 games where they get at minimum some solid pitching paired with some solid offense. A great offensive showing like usual would be nice, but more consistency seems like a more important goal, as the Nats continue to battle towards being an above .500 team.
No better time to find your footing and take over a home series than one like this, where the Nats face the Twins, a team having a very similar season. Sitting at 15-20 on the year, the Twins have had a lot of the same struggles, and this is a chance for the Nats to show they are past their struggles, and distance themselves from being grouped with teams like the Twins.
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Rather than worrying about where they will fall at the end of the 162 game season, Butera is more focused on taking the season day-by-day, ensuring that the team is learning from their mistakes each game, and not looking too far ahead.
“I think we're making progress,” Butera said. “I think the biggest thing we're going to need to see is consistency still, and that goes into our preparation every day. Like we all know, this is a young team; there's going to be mistakes. But are we learning from our mistakes? Are we continuing to get better and continuing to grow?
📈 MORNING STAT
In their struggling season last year, the 3 games the Nats played against the Twins were a bright spot, going 2-1 agains them on the season. No better time for history to repeat itself as the Nats look for another series win and possibly even a sweep this week.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What is your series prediction for these next 3 home games agains the Twins?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
Like this recap? Been missing out on big Nats games? Here’s how to watch them as the season goes on.
👉 Forward to a friend and Subscribe to Nats Report+ for insider quotes, and extra analytics and so much more.
theFUTURE
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Nothing changes too much, Nats minor league affiliates remain unstoppable as the season continues to push forward. Fred Nats remain seemingly better than every team they face, Blue Rocks win 7 of their last 9 games, Senators move to 16-10 and the Red Wings win back to back over the weekend.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Fredericksburg Nationals, the Nats Single-A affiliate, still continue to be the Nats brightest point in the minors, moving to 19-8 on the season. In their win on Sunday, Nats number 20 prospect Yeremy Cabrera continued his amazing year, mashing a home run along with 7 total bases, 3 hits and 3 RBIs, moving him to .297 on the year with 5 homers.
The Nats High-A affiliate Wilmington Blue Rocks seem to be the hottest team in the minors for the Nats right now, winning 7 of their last 9 games. Nats number 25 prospect Ronny Cruz has been fantastic offensively for the Blue Rocks this year, tallying 6 homers, a .343 average and a 1.065 OPS. Keep your eye out for him as he continues to make waves.
The Rochester Red Wings, the Nats Triple-A affiliate win back-to-back games over the weekend, moving them to 16-17 on the year and getting them back on track. In an amazing month, to no-one’s surprise, the Red Wings awarded Red Wings April player of the month to Nats 28 overall prospect Yohandy Morales, who in the month of April tallied 4 homers, 10 RBIs, a .341 average and .924 OPS. Keep your eye out for him to be called up one day in the future.
Nats Double-A affiliate Harrisburg Senators won their game on Sunday, moving them to 16-10 on the year. A name talked about all year, Nats number 7 prospect Seaver King continues to live up to the hype, moving his batting average to .306 with a 3-5, 3 run performance in their win.
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nats minor league affiliate are now up to a combined 66-46 record, an absolutely insane and promising number as the Nats continue to boast their insanely bright future.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Which minor league player are you most excited to see get called up to a higher minor league affiliate or even up into the majors?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
Drive engagement and growth. Miss the Harrisburg Senators week? Check out the weekly Senators recap by Nash Henry!
Want the full breakdown before anyone else? 🔔 Subscribe to The Nats Report Morning Briefing — exclusive access, deep dives, and insider audio drops every weekday morning.
👉 [Subscribe now] | [Share with a fellow Nats fan]
WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 Littell bounces back for solid outing as Nats win finale (MLB)
📌Nationals fan survey results, Pt. 1: Grading the new brass and the Gore trade (Athletic)