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Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Thursday, August 13, 2026!
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Today vs. Chicago Cubs 4:05 PM ET
Friday @ 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
Kent Makes MLB Debut, Nats Fall Again
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Yesterday’s game didn’t go quite as planned, but was still a solid MLB debut for the Nats Jackson Kent. Throwing 6 strikeouts through 4 innings without allowing a run, he eventually lost his step and gave up 3 in his debut, but nonetheless should be an arm to develop into the starting rotation to replace recently DFA’d Miles Mikolas. The offense is still playing amazing, to no one’s surprise, and the new bullpen is still struggling, as the team tries to figure out what arms can be relied on down the stretch, to finally take some pressure off the high soaring offense.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
With yesterday’s loss, the Nats now make it 59-63 on the season and 4-3 in their last 7, as they continue to look at trying to catch fire in August to stay in the NL Wild Card race. Still in 4th in the NL East, the Nats have clawed their way into 6 games outside of the Wild Card picture, seemingly just needing to get some games above .500 by the end of the month, before they are thrown straight into series against the Dodgers and Braves to really test how serious they will be in late season baseball. With a 7 year postseason drought on the line, the Nats lineup has to get something going off this series for a chance at breaking it.
In case you missed it, Nats starting pitcher Miles Mikolas was officially DFA’d yesterday, leading to Nats prospect Jackson Kent getting called up for his MLB Debut yesterday. Prior to the call up, Kent had been on a breakout year in the minors, going from Double-A to Triple-A to his debut, going 9-4 with a 3.72 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 94.1 innings pitched in the minors. Then yesterday, Kent made the transition to the big leagues pretty solidly, obviously struggling with nerves and allowing some runs as any pitcher making their debut would, but settling into his spot to give the bullpen and offense a great chance to get back even in the series late in the game. After a solid start and plenty to build off, it is expected that Kent will take Mikolas position in the rotation for now, as they continue to work out their new pitching room.
We also got to see the new bullpen rotation displayed again yesterday. Following extremely great performances over the weekend from the 2 additions Jake Bird, and Yovanny Cruz as well as Trevor Williams back from injury, they all pitched again in yesterday’s game, and we saw a much more lackluster outing. Cruz allowed 2 runs on 0.1 innings pitched, Bird allowed 1 run through 1.1 innings pitched and Williams allowed 3 through 3. Ultimately the reason the Nats offense’s 6 runs wasn’t enough, something has to get figured out in the bullpen sooner or later, or this whole season will end up going to waste.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
In his debut, Kent got a standing ovation from the crowd, pitching 4 amazing innings before finally losing his stuff. Nats fans and their team hope that he can settle into a pivotal starting role and become a key part of the Nats organization.
“I was impressed by Jackson,” said manager Blake Butera. “... I think as he settles in here, he’ll probably get some better command. I know he had five walks, that’s the one thing that stood out. But it was good to see the swing-and-miss he was able to get and the ability to limit damage.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats can get into an NL Wild Card spot by the end of the year and break their drought?
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6 Runs Are No Help as Nats Squander Kent Debut
🔥 HEADLINE
Final Score: Nationals 6, Cubs 12
Date: August 11, 2026
Location: Nats Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Now dropping the first 2 games of the series against the Cubs, the Nats now see themselves in a must-win game today to find some kind of momentum as they carry on the month of August. Yesterday’s game was a lot of the same, with a solid starting pitching performance, a fantastic offense, and of course, a weak bullpen performance that ended up costing them the game. Continuously scoring more than 5 runs a game, the Nats pitching rotation has to limit the runs they give up, or this historic offensive season will be for nothing. Let’s hope Cavalli and the bullpen can get that done today, to get the Nats back on track and into the win column.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: David Petersen ([7–7], 5.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K)
Losing Pitcher: Tom Cosgrove ([0–2], 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)
Key Hitters:
Daylen Lile: 2-for-4, 3 RBI
Abimelec Ortiz: 1-for-2, HR
Jacob Young: 2-for-5, 2 Singles
Team RISP: [4-for-10]
Errors: Nats 1, Cubs 2
Attendance: 21,116
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Chicago Cubs, Today, 4:05 PM ET, Nats Park
Probables: Nats — Cade Cavalli, Cubs — Kevin Gausman
Key Storyline: Can the Nats get a win in their last game of their long home stand?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats can win this home game today before traveling to New York for the weekend?
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theFUTURE
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nats 4 minor league affiliates continued their week Wednesday with one dominant win, one additional victory, and two tough losses, as Rochester exploded for 13 runs while Harrisburg also picked up a win. Fredericksburg and Wilmington each suffered defeats, with the Blue Rocks falling in another late-inning battle and the FredNats dropping a one-run decision. Despite the mixed results, Rochester and Fredericksburg remain atop their respective divisions, while the organization's top prospects continue to make an impact throughout the farm system.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Rochester Red Wings, the Nats Triple-A affiliate, crushed Charlotte 13-1 to improve to 68-46 on the season. Rochester broke the game open with a 10-run eighth inning, highlighted by Riley Adams' grand slam and a home run from Trey Lipscomb, while Adams finished with six RBIs and four hits as the Red Wings continued their strong season and remained in first place in the International League East.
The Harrisburg Senators, the Nats Double-A affiliate, defeated Richmond 6-2 to improve to 56-54 on the year. Ethan Petry went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Green, scored twice as Harrisburg built an early lead and never looked back. The Senators' pitching staff limited Richmond to seven hits and two runs, giving Harrisburg another important victory as the club continues its push through August.
The Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Nats High-A affiliate, fell 9-6 to Hudson Valley despite rallying for four runs in the eighth inning. Ronny Cruz hit a two-run homer in the first inning and finished with two hits, three RBIs and a stolen base, while Eli Willits collected a hit, scored twice and stole three bases to bring his season total to 23. Wilmington dropped to 54-54 on the year and still remains third in the South Atlantic League North.
The Fredericksburg Nationals, the Nats Single-A affiliate, lost 5-4 to Fayetteville in walk-off fashion after the Woodpeckers scored the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Hunter Hines provided nearly all of Fredericksburg's offense with a two-run homer and four RBIs, while Gavin Fien collected two hits. Despite the loss, the FredNats remain 67-42 on the season and firmly atop the Carolina League North.
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nats four minor league affiliates enter today with a combined 245-196 record on the year. Rochester and Fredericksburg continue to lead their respective divisions, while Harrisburg remains in the Eastern League playoff hunt and Wilmington sits at .500 heading into another important day of August baseball.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think all the affiliates can finish strong, and complete the season all above .500 on the season?
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 Unfazed in facing PCA, hometown Cubs, Kent earns ovation after MLB debut (MLB)
📌 Mikolas DFA'd by Nationals; Kent called up for start vs. Cubs (MLB)
📌The Nationals threw their debuting rookie into the fire. Should they keep doing that? (Athletic)