Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Friday, August 13, 2026
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Today @ New York Mets 7:10 PM ET - New Weekend Away Series
Saturday @ New York Mets 4:10 PM ET
Sunday @ New York Mets 1:40 PM ET
Monday - Rest Day
Tuesday @ Texas Rangers 8:05 PM ET - Next Away Series
Nats Back in Win Column, Easy Weekend Ahead
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Despite the series loss, with the Nats win yesterday, they get some momentum heading into their weekend series. Struggling to get any streaks going and sitting below .500, the Nats get an easy weekend ahead of them against the struggling New York Mets, the only team currently sitting below the Nats in the NL East. Already coming off a win, the Nats now have a great chance to keep the offense flowing and get the bullpen moving against a poor team in an easy 3 game series in New York. This is their chance to get the August they desperately need going, as they chase ending their 7 year playoff drought.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
With the win yesterday, the Nats are back on their climb to .500, now at 60-63 on the year, and back in the win column. With the cold streaks and rough defensive outings behind them, the Nats are must get hot, with the NL Wild Card race continuing to distance itself from the Nats. If the Nats are going to be in contention to end their 7 year playoff streak, they must get at least a few games back over the .500 line by the time August is over, as they currently sit 4.5 games out of the last playoff spot, with none of the other teams will be slowing down for them. There is also added pressure on the Nats to catch fire in August, as their remaining schedule for the month is very doable, before having to start September with back-to-back series against 2 division leaders in the Braves and Dodgers.
In yesterday’s game, one thing was made certain. If the Nats are able to make the playoffs and end their drought, they have an ace in Cade Cavalli to lead the starting rotation for them. Desptie losing their number one guy Foster Griffin at the trade deadline, Cade has not missed a step, now up to double digit wins on the year following another amazing performance yesterday. In that game, Cade pitched 5 perfect innings before giving up a walk, however he did not let him slow him down, pitching 8 innings with only 1 hit allowed and 10 strikeouts. Bringing his ERA to 3.36 on the season, Cavalli is off to another great month, now 2-1 in his 3 starts of July so far. Let’s hope he gets a chance to show off his amazing season once the postseason comes around.
Despite the 1-2 series loss to the Cubs, the Nats offense refused to skip a beat, continuing to tear up the MLB, no matter how good the team they play is. They currently still lead the MLB in HRs, RBIs, Runs Per Game, stolen bases and OPS. If you can lead the MLB in 5 of the most important offensive stats, there is no reason for the team not to be above .500. If they can continue this offensive efficiency into the weekend, they should have no problem getting some easy runs against the offensively struggling Mets, as hopefully the bullpen can have another strong weekend and finally work out all their problems finally.
Although cheering for a sweep is always ambitious, it is definitely possible for the Nats this weekend, as they currently hold the series lead over the Mets 4-3, and could have a much better record if it weren’t for some very questionable endings from earlier in the season. Be sure to cheer extra hard this weekend, as if the Nats are able to get the win tonight, there is no counting them out for a series sweep in their weekend day games to get back to .500 heading into their rest day Monday.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
In yesterday’s near no-hit performance by Cavalli, he had a perfect game through 5 innings and was able to get in the zone early.
“Coming out of the gates,” manager Blake Butera said, “I thought how efficient he was in the first three innings. I was like, ‘Man if he keeps this up, we’re going to have a decision to make later in the game. This is complete-game type of pitching.’”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats have a chance to get above .500 by the end of August?
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Nats Win in Shutout to Close out Series
🔥 HEADLINE
Cade Cavalli almost gets a complete no-hit game in dominant shutout win by Nats
Final Score: Nationals 7, Cubs 0
Date: August 12, 2026
Location: Nats Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Down in a 2-0 hole against the Cubs in the series, the Nats were able to put up a dominant shutout with their back against the wall. Led by ace Cade Cavalli who threw 5 perfect innings and 8 innings with only 1 hit, the Nats offense had an equally exciting game, with the top 7 guys of the lineup all tallying hits, including another Abimelec Ortiz homer, continuing his tear he has been on since being called up from Rochester at the deadline. Now heading into a much easier series, let’s hope the Nats can build off this dominant win and get their way back to .500 for next week.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Cade Cavalli ([10-5], 8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K)
Losing Pitcher: Kevin Gausman ([6–11], 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)
Key Hitters:
Abimelec Ortiz: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
CJ Abrams: 1-for-4, Run
Daylen Lile: 2-for-4, 2 Singles, Run
Team RISP: [3-for-8]
Errors: Nats 0, Cubs 0
Attendance: 21,463
📈 MORNING STAT
With yesterday’s shutout, that is now the Nats 2nd since the All-Star break, an impressive statistic considering the bullpen struggles throughout this year.
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. New York Mets, Tonight, 7:10 PM ET, Citi Field
Probables: Nats — Andrew Alvarez, Mets — Robert Stock
Key Storyline: Can the Nats get their 2nd straight win as they look to take on a lackluster Mets team in New York?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
How do you see the Nats series in New York going over the weekend?
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Like this recap? Check out yesterday’s game notes by Richard!
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theFUTURE
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nats 4 minor league affiliates wrapped up another night of baseball Thursday with Wilmington picking up the organization's lone victory, while Rochester, Harrisburg and Fredericksburg each suffered losses. Rochester and Fredericksburg remain atop their respective divisions, with the Red Wings continuing to separate themselves in the International League East and the Fred Nats maintaining their lead in the Carolina League North. As the second half of August continues, another important stretch of baseball is underway across the Nationals' farm system.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Rochester Red Wings, the Nats Triple-A affiliate, fell 7-2 to Charlotte to drop to 68-47 on the season. Rochester was held to just five hits, while Riley Adams provided the club's only extra-base hit with a solo home run in the ninth inning. Despite the loss, the Red Wings remain firmly in first place in the International League East as they continue their strong season.
The Harrisburg Senators, the Nats Double-A affiliate, lost 7-2 to Richmond to fall to 56-55 on the year. Branden Boissiere and Caleb Lomavita each collected a hit, while Elijah Green scored twice, but Harrisburg was held to seven hits and just two runs. The Senators remain third in the Eastern League Southwest with another important stretch of August baseball ahead.
The Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Nats High-A affiliate, defeated Hudson Valley 6-5 to improve to 55-54 on the season. Ronny Cruz powered the offense with a two-run homer and finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Eli Willits continued his impressive work on the basepaths with another stolen base. Wilmington rallied late to hold off the Renegades and remains third in the South Atlantic League North.
The Fredericksburg Nationals, the Nats Single-A affiliate, fell 7-4 to Fayetteville to drop to 67-43 on the season. Hunter Hines continued his strong season with his 11th home run, while Gavin Fien and Rafael Ramirez Jr. each contributed hits. Despite the loss, the FredNats remain in first place in the Carolina League North and continue to pace the division.
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nats four minor league affiliates enter the new day with a combined 246-199 record on the season. Rochester and Fredericksburg continue to lead their respective divisions, while Wilmington moved back above .500 with Thursday's win and Harrisburg remains within striking distance of the Eastern League playoff picture.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats minor league affiliates can get their series wins locked up over the weekend?
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Drive engagement and growth. Check out this article on the Red Wings’ bullpen by Bill Wade!
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 Cavalli flirts with no-hit bid in latest dominant outing -- proving his growth (MLB)
📌 How Cade Cavalli’s curiosity helped him pitch the best game of his young career (Athletic)