Despite dropping two of three in Philadelphia over the weekend, the Nats were in every game, and that is thanks largely to their bullpen, which covered eleven and two-thirds innings across three games while allowing just one run on four hits and five walks while striking out fifteen Phillies for a composite 0.77 ERA and 0.77 WHIP. That is impressive given the state of the Nats’ pen all season long, and to do this with a bunch of anonymous JAGs in the dog days of summer against the division leaders and their dangerous lineup is phenomenal. Then consider that only Jose A. Ferrer and Orlando Ribalta - who spent roughly half the season on the injured list - were in the Opening Day bullpen for the Nats, and two of them (Clayton Beeter and P.J. Poulin) weren’t even in the Nats’ system. Good stuff - let’s see if they can keep it up against Mystique and Aura in Yankee Stadium beginning this evening.

Read more about the improved Nationals Bullpen

I already made my case two starts ago for why I think Jake Irvin needs a reset in Rochester, and yesterday afternoon only provided more evidence, as everybody’s favorite Minnesotan labored through seven outs on 69 pitches while giving up three runs on six hits with a pair of walks and a pair of strikeouts. Irvin’s 2025 continues to spiral downhill, and it is worth wondering if he indeed will have a secure hold on a spot in the rotation in 2026 - his first arbitration season - given these struggles. Irvin’s ERA is now 5.40, and he is leading the majors in home runs allowed. Probably the only reason that he hasn’t been demoted or given a break is that there just aren’t many plausible options to replace him from within the system.

On the other side, the Phillies were pitching Ranger Suárez, the kind of soft-tossing command-over-stuff lefty who gives the Nationals fits. Predictably, Suárez went seven scoreless innings while allowing only three hits and striking out eleven Nats, all on a tidy 90 pitches. The Nats made a comeback attempt against the combustible Philly bullpen, getting a run off of José Alvarado and another off of Orion Kerkering (the latter on a Luis García Jr. bolt), but it was not quite enough in a 3-2 defeat.

If the Nationals truly wanted to do something different about the Parker/Irvin conundrum that they currently have, they could at least consider skipping Jarlin Susana all the way from AA Harrisburg to the majors. Yes, Susana had a grade one UCL sprain earlier this year, and as a consequence, has only pitched 54.2 innings in the minors. But it’s pretty clear that minor league hitters have next to no chance if he throws the ball near the strike zone. In those 54.2 IP, Susana has registered 31 walks (not great) and allowed a mere 39 hits (pretty great)…while striking out 92 hitters (amazing). He has registered 23 strikeouts over his past two starts, and I would at least let him finish the season in AAA to see if he could potentially be ready for the call to the Show in 2026.

📌 Cal Raleigh hits 48th, 49th HRs to set MLB record for catchers (ESPN)

📌 A Night to Remember: Eli Willits Brings No. 1 Pick Energy to Fredericksburg (The Nats Report)

📌 MLB will play Field of Dreams Game in 2026, featuring Phillies and Twins in August showcase event (Yahoo Sports)