Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Friday, July 3, 2026.
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Tonight vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:45 PM ET - How will Foster pitch after having a spectacular June?
Saturday vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 11:05 AM ET - Can the Nats win the 4th of July game?
Sunday vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:00 PM ET - Will Mikolas be effective as the starter?
KYLE NICOLAS TRADE
Photo from Kyle Nicolas’ Instagram
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
On Wednesday, Washington traded High-A infielder Randal Diaz to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas. After the trade, Nicolas was assigned to the Rochester Red Wings.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Stats: This year in the MLB, Nicolas has an 8.59 ERA, a 2.86 WHIP, and 7 strikeouts through 7.1 innings. In the minor leagues this year, Nicolas has a 5.40 ERA, a 2.30 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts over 20 innings.
History: Nicolas was drafted by the Miami Marlins and played for their minor league teams. Nicolas was later traded to the Pirates, where he spent over four years. Nicolas started this year with the Pirates and has now been traded three times.
Speed: Nicolas has a high average fastball velocity, reaching 97.6 mph last year.
Randal Diaz: So far this year in the minor leagues, Diaz is batting .253 and slugging .406.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Earlier this year, Kyle Nicolas said, “I really believe in my stuff. I know that I can help any bullpen or staff that I’m on.”
📈 MORNING STAT
This was the first trade the Orioles have made with the Nats since the Montreal Expos moved to Washington, D.C., in 2005.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats made the right trade? Do you think Nicolas should be moved up to the MLB?
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SERIES PREVIEW
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Tonight, the Nats start the series against the Pirates, and there are multiple things Washington needs to watch out for. Pittsburgh is also in the running for an NL wild card spot, and collectively, they have some impressive stats. Pittsburgh is first in total hits (794), third in total runs (452), and third in total strikeouts thrown (812).
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Nationals Pitchers: Game 1- Foster Griffin (8-2, 2.93 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 32.6 chase %) Game 2- Zack Littell (7-6, 5.29 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 92.5 average exit velocity) Game 3- Miles Mikolas (2-7, 5.44 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4.8 BB%)
Pirates Pitchers: Game 1- Mitch Keller (6-5, 4.87 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, .283 xBA) Game 2- Braxton Ashcraft (8-3, 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 37.4 chase%, 27.6 K%) Game 3- Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.62 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 98.4 mph fastball velocity)
Second Base: Nasim Nunez is one of the best baserunners in the MLB with a 6 baserunning value and leads the MLB with 32 stolen bases. Brandon Lowe leads the Pirates in home runs (20) and RBIs (57).
Recent Injuries & Suspensions: Nationals’ reliever Richard Lovelady, Pirates’ center fielder Oniel Cruz, and Pirates’ first baseman Spencer Horwitz were all recently assigned to the 10-day and 15-day IL. Cade Cavalli has been suspended for seven games, and Miles Mikolas for five, for their roles in the benches-clearing incident in Boston on Tuesday.
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
After beating the Red Sox, Cade Cavalli said, “Hopefully we can carry the momentum.”
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Pirates, 7/3/2026, 6:45 PM ET, Nationals Park
Probables: Nats — Foster Griffin, Pirates — Mitch Keller
Key Storyline: How will Foster pitch after having a spectacular June?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Will the Nats win the series?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
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FOURTH OF JULY PROMOTIONS
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
With this weekend being the Fourth of July weekend, the Nationals organization is doing special things to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary. The Nationals typically host a game on Independence Day, and they are starting the game on the Fourth at 11:05 AM so that fans can enjoy the game, and afterward enjoy other events and festivities.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Uniforms: The Nats and every other MLB team will be wearing special American flag-themed jerseys and hats.
Fireworks: After tonight's game, Nats Park will host a special freedom fireworks show.
Flags: On July 4, miniature American flags will be given out to the first 30,000 fans.
Shirt: On July 5, the first 20,000 fans will receive a free patriotic t-shirt.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Nationals’ president of business operations, Jason Sinnarajah, said, “It's going to be an even bigger celebration than normal.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Are you going to any of the games this weekend? If so, then what are you most looking forward to?
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Speed Reads
📌 June Recap: The Morning Briefing (The Nats Report)