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Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Friday, May 22, 2026.
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How Has Butera done 51 games into the season
Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
We are 51 games into the season, and manager Blake Butera has done a good job coaching the team. The Nats have been making better contact, are making some electric plays, and have shown promising signs that their rebuild is heading in the right direction.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Runs: The Nationals are currently leading the MLB in runs scored this season with 280.
Catchers: While Keibert Ruiz plays most games, having Drew Millas as an extra option helps give Ruiz more time to recover, so that when he plays, he is well-rested and ready. So far this season, Ruiz has played in 31 of the team's 51 games, posting a .260 batting average for the first time since 2023 and his best slugging percentage since leaving the Dodgers in 2021.
Fielding Rotation: The Nats have used many different rotations this season, and Butera and the coaching staff are still experimenting to determine the best lineup.
📈 MORNING STAT
Before May 16, the Nats hadn't had a .500 record since 2024. The Nationals haven't finished a season above .500 since 2019, and they have been hovering around .500 for basically the past month.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think Blake Butera has done a good job coaching the Nats? What do you want to see from him that you believe would improve the team?
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GAME RECAP
Nationals Lose to Mets, ending the series in a tie 2-2
Final Score: Nationals 1, Mets 2
Date: May 21, 2026
Location: Nationals Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Despite a solid day pitching from Cade Cavalli, the Nationals fell short to the Mets.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: David Peterson ([3–4], 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K)
Losing Pitcher: Cade Cavalli ([2–3], 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K)
Key Hitters:
Daylen Lile: 2-for-4, 2B
Keibert Ruiz: 2-for-4
James Wood: 1-for-4, 2B
Team RISP: [0-for-8]
Errors: Nats 2, Mets 1
Attendance:17,291
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Cade Cavalli had one of his best games all season. He pitched through seven innings and only allowed two runs, which is below his season ERA of 3.86. “Couldn't be happier with the way Cade threw the ball,” said manager Blake Butera.
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Braves, May 22, 7:15 PM ET, Truist Park
Probables: Nats — Miles Mikolas, Braves — Bryce Elder
Key Storyline: How will Washington compare to the Braves who currently have the best record in the MLB?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ Cavalli
✅ Ruiz
✅ Coaching
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Dylan Crews’ first 3 games back
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Dylan Crews has returned to the MLB, and despite a slow start, Blake Butera thinks Crews is ready to return to the MLB.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Batting average: Since returning, Crews has posted a batting average of .182.
Fielding: In his 19 innings played so far, he has one error from seven total chances, giving him a .857 fielding percentage.
Teammates: Currently, the Nationals have very solid outfielders on the roster, including James Wood, Daylen Lile, and Jacob Young, so Crews has to make a statement and prove why he deserves a starting spot.
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Manager Blake Butera said, "One thing that we made sure Dylan was aware of is, we absolutely believe in Dylan."
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
How do you think Dylan will perform against the Braves? Will this move work out in the long run?
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
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