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Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Friday, May 1, 2026
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GAME RECAP
🔥 HEADLINE
Nats Come Back To Take Series
Final Score: Nationals 5, New York Mets 4
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Location: Citi Field
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nationals come back to beat the New York Mets 5-4 behind a CJ Abrams two-run home run in the eighth inning. The bullpen, across their combined four innings pitched after Miles Mikolas left the game, allowed just one earned run and four hits while allowing no walks.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Mitchell Parker ([2–0], 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)
Losing Pitcher: Luke Weaver ([2–1], 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)
Key Hitters:
CJ Abrams: 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Luis García Jr.: 2-for-4, R, 2B
Team RISP: [2-for-8]
Errors: Nats 0, Mets 1
Attendance: 34,621
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
“He had an unbelievable game defensively. That first inning, that ball from Soto, when you watch the replay, man [Wood] got up there. The timing was perfect. But, overall, all the plays that he made, it is one of the reasons they ended up winning the game,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza on James Wood’s defensive game yesterday.
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Milwaukee Brewers, May 1, 6:45 PM ET, Nationals Park
Probables: Nats — Jake Irvin, Brewers — Jacob Misiorowski
Key Storyline: Can the Nats continue their momentum as they come back home to play the Brewers?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ Abrams
✅ García Jr.
✅ The Bullpen
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The Subtle Rise of Cade Cavalli
Via Washington Nationals
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
After having a tough start to the season, Cade Cavalli has become quite the reliable starter for the Nationals so far. Particularly in the second half of the month, and in his last performance, his game has become stronger and stronger with each game.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli had a rough start to the season, striking out just eight batters over the first three games of the month while walking nine and allowing six earned runs, earning him a 4.60 ERA by the middle of April
Cavalli’s worst performance so far came in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 13th, in which he pitched just one and one-third innings and allowed four earned runs
In the three games he’s started since giving up those four earned runs, his game has improved with 15 innings pitched, allowing 22 hits with just five earned runs and two walks, with a grand total of 25 strikeouts
This all culminated in this past Wednesday’s performance against the New York Mets in his second consecutive 10-strikeout performance, which included the right-hander’s last 24 pitches all being strikes, becoming the first Nationals pitcher to strike out at least 10 in consecutive starts in just over half a decade, joining just four other Nats pitchers in accomplishing that feat
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
“It’s a mentality thing, a timing thing, where sometimes I just kind of slow down and get right back into the zone. And (catcher Keibert Ruiz) does a great job. If I’m struggling with a pitch, I’ll go to a different pitch, and he’ll get me right back into it,” said Cade Cavalli on his process.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What have you thought of Cade Cavalli so far this season? What do you expect from him going forward at this point in the season?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more on potential Nats players, check out this interview with FredNats shortstop Eli Willits.
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theFUTURE
Via Washington Nationals
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
As the Nats’ minor league teams ended the month, some ended on a higher note than others, whether that be winning a game, winning a series, or winning both. A major high note for the Rochester Red Wings this month has been the progression and development of right fielder Dylan Crews.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Rochester lost both games of their doubleheader yesterday to the Worcester Red Sox, the first game 4-3 and the second game 7-3, losing the series two games to one
The Senators beat the Akron RubberDucks 4-2 yesterday, powered by Cayden Wallace and Leandro Pineda solo home runs, sealing their series win two games to one
Wilmington lost to the Asheville Tourists 9-3 at home yesterday, with all three Blue Rocks runs coming in the bottom of the ninth inning on small ball plays, wrapping up the series after having won the first two games
Fredericksburg beat the Hickory Crawdads 7-6 yesterday in extra innings, winning on a Jordan Williams single that scored Jacob Walsh in the 10th inning, successfully sweeping the Crawdads
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
“Dylan is progressing well. He's walking at a higher clip, and I think the improvements in pitch selection have been largely a good thing. I think the next step for Dylan is that when he is letting it fly in the zone, that he's squaring pitches up and driving them for damage. So he's been great in terms of just how disciplined he's stayed to the process. Then also from a defense and baserunning standpoint, he's been awesome, which I don't think will surprise anyone. So really excited about the strides he's made, the strides he's going to continue to make going forward,” said president of baseball operations Paul Toboni on Dylan Crews’ progression with the Red Wings.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
What do you think of the minor league teams’ performances from yesterday? What do you think of Dylan Crews’ development so far?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
For more on the Nats farm system, make sure to check out this stock report on the prospects.
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 Digging trenches, hanging drywall and shooting coyotes: How MLB’s most anonymous team made ends meet (The Athletic)
📌 The hottest hitting prospects right now -- one for each team (MLB)