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Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Thursday, July 9, 2026
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Today - Rest Day
Friday vs. New York Yankees 6:45 PM ET - Last First Half Home Series
Saturday vs. New York Yankees 4:05 PM ET
Sunday vs. New York Yankees 1:35 PM ET
Monday - Start of All-Star Break
Nats Get Day Off Before Last Series of 1st Half
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
With the series win yesterday, the Nats now sit at 48-46 on the year headed into a rest day where they can relax at home and prepare for their last home series of the first half. The Nats seemingly have found their place sitting just a few games above the .500 threshold, but fans can not be disappointed, as it is levels above how critics believed they would be sitting going into the All-Star break. The Nats preseason win total was set at 65.5 wins. They are on pace currently for 84 wins. Next step in this amazing season turn around: 2nd half playoff push.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
James Wood the leadoff hero. Nats now All-Star outfielder James Wood has put himself on pace for history with his leadoff homer on Tuesday night. With that homer, James Wood put himself at 8 leadoff home runs this year! Going into the All-Star break with at least 8 leadoff homers means that James Wood is slowly pacing for something incredible. At his current pace he is on track for 14 leadoff homers this season, which is one short of the MLB record (Kyle Schwarber with 15 in 2024). With second place having 13, regardless of if he breaks the record or not, keep an eye on Wood as he has a high chance of becoming top 3 in leadoff homer seasons ever.
The NL East should be wide open for a winner following the All-Star break. As there is 3 games remaining before the break, the farthest behind the Nats can be from first place is a mere 9 games backs. With the Braves, Phillies, Marlins and Nats all spaced out by 6 games between the 4 of them and all above .500, the division is wide open for someone to take the title, and also could easily see a 3 NL East team playoff. If the Nats decide to buy at the deadline they have a chance to make history, coming into the season as +10000 to win the NL East. Regardless of winning the division or not, the Nats will be coming out of the break right on the cusp of a Wild Card spot, and should only have one thing in mind. Ending the 7 year playoff drought.
Jake Irvin, there’s a name you haven’t heard in a little bit! Irvin was placed on the 15-day IL back in late May, and has been working on rehabbing his way back since. However, his slow progress is getting him closer to a return, with him facing live batters in practice yesterday. Irvin had a mediocre start to the year, but was seemingly gettin his stuff back together prior to the injury. On a team that needs al the arms they can get, his soon return should be a great deal of help to this second half Nats team.
If you haven’t heard by now, The Dynamic Duo of CJ Abrams and James Wood have both been selected for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game! Nats star shortstop CJ Abrams will be making his second All-Star appearance of his career next week, chosen to start for the NL at shortstop by our fans. James Wood, was seemingly robbed of a starting role in the All-Star fan-selection process, but was done right by the MLB being selected for his second ever All-Star Game outing.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
With the Nats bullpen struggles being extremely apparent lately, manager Blake Butera addressed how some of these new guys that are coming up and struggling, are not just being written off, and they are rather working to make them better.
“At the end of the day, if our pitcher goes out there and struggles, I don't want to say, ‘Oh, he's just not a good pitcher,’” said Butera. “Let's figure out what happened, and let's figure out what we can do to make sure that next time that doesn't happen again.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats can top their first half of the season with a stronger second half? Do you think they buy at the deadline to get them to that level?
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Nats Win Series With Commanding 8-2 Win
🔥 HEADLINE
No one can stop Luis Garcia Jr. as his homer opens up the blowout for the 8-2 series clinching victory
Final Score: Nationals [score], Astros [score]
Date: July 8, 2026
Location: Nationals Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
With a few runs in the first couple of inning and then Luis Garcia Jr. continuing to play at a fantastic pace with his 3 run homer to make it 5-0 in the 4th, the Nats were able to easily close out the series against the Astros yesterday. Foster Griffin continued his dominant season, becoming one of 9 pitchers in the entire MLB with double digit wins. With the bullpen hanging onto a commanding lead, the Nats scored some easy insurance runs and closed out the series with a win going into their rest day.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Foster Griffin ([10–2], 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)
Losing Pitcher: Spencer Arrighetti ([7–5], 4.0 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 6 BB, 2 K)
Key Hitters:
Luis Garcia Jr: 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs, BB
CJ Abrams: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs, BB
Daylen Lile: 2-for-5, Double, RBI
Team RISP: [2-for-15]
Errors: Nats 1, Astros 0
Attendance: 17,760
📈 MORNING STAT
With the win yesterday, Foster Griffin is with some elite company, amongst only 8 other pitchers to have double digit wins on the year.
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. New York Yankees, Friday, July 9, 6:45 PM ET, Nationals Park
Probables: Nats — Zack Littell, Yankees — Ryan Weathers
Key Storyline: Can the Nationals go up early in their 3 game series against the AL powerhouse Yankees?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
How do you see the Nats last 3 games before All-Star break going?
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theFUTURE
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nats four minor league affiliates all kicked off their last series before All-Star break on Tuesday, and look to keep the momentum rolling as they approach their last weekend. With all four teams above .500 on the year, the Nats minor league affiliates do not need to see much change in the second half, and rather would be content with continued consistency. If the four affiliate can keep playing at their current place, there should be a chance for a playoff run in each one of their futures.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Rochester Red Wings, the Nats Triple-A affiliate continue to lead the International League, despite losing both their games in their double header yesterday, sitting at 49-33 on the year. Nats Nats number 28 prospect, Yohandy Morales has continued his great performance in Triple A, tallying 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBIs in the 2 games yesterday. Let’s hope he can continue playing strong baseball for the Red Wings as he looks to work back up to make his major league debut.
The Fredericksburg Nationals, the Nats Single-A affiliate also continue to lead the Carolina North, despite also dropping yesterday and sitting at 54-29 on the year. Nats number 8 ranked prospect Gavin Fien has continued to play strong ball for the Fred Nats, in 2 RBIs and a hit in the loss yesterday.
The Harrisburg Senators, the Nats Double-A affiliate were able to get a 5-2 victory yesterday, moving their season record to 42-39 on the year, as they continue to push above the .500 threshold. Yesterday, Nats number 23 prospect Sam Petersen had a solid performance, tallying 2 hits with an RBI in the win. Petersen continues to bat .273 with 2 homers in 7 games in July so far, putting himself on great pace for a call up in the near future.
The Wilmington Blue Rocks, Nats High-A affiliate were able to get the 4-1 win yesterday, now sitting at 42-40 on the year as they continue against Brooklyn for the week to attempt to surge further above the .500 mark. In win, Nats first overall pick and first overall prospect Eli Willits played a solid game, tallying 2 hits and an RBI in the win yesterday. Let’s hope he can continue playing great ball as he chases a chance at playing in the majors as a teenager.
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nats 4 minor league affiliates are now a combined 187-141 this year, with all 4 teams above .500.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats minor league teams can have as good a second half as they did first half to keep them all above .500?
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 Full All-Star rosters unveiled, including 26 first-timers (MLB)
📌 New leadership brings experience with fresh eyes on Nats' draft plans (MLB)
📌How the Nationals might approach the trade deadline: Mailbag (Athletic)