Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Thursday, June 18, 2026
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up!
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Today - Rest Day
Friday @ Tampa Bay Rays 7:10 PM ET - New Away Series
Saturday @ Tampa Bay Rays 4:10 PM ET
Sunday @ Tampa Bay Rays 1:40 PM ET
Monday vs. Philadelphia Phillies 6:45 PM ET - New Home Stand
Nats in Playoff Picture, Fans Hopeful
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Despite the loss yesterday, the Nats go into their rest day today tied for a wildcard spot in the NL. Currently 4-1 in their last 5 and on absolute fire recently, the Nats stand in a position where the fans are extremely hopeful, and seeking that same feeling from the front office. As the trade deadline approaches nearer, the Nats are in a position to buy at the deadline for the first time in 7 years. A couple more good weeks like this week and they should be left with no choice but to acquire some extra help and push for October baseball.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Currently sitting at 39-36, 3 games above .500 and tied for a playoff spot, the Nats are coming off one of their best weeks of the season. Despite missing out on the sweep yesterday, the Nats were finally able to get the home field advantage going this week, after struggling earlier in the season. Winning 4 of their last 6 home games, and finally having a comfortable winning record, the crowd has started to get into it recently. Don’t believe me? Check out the Nats tarps off movement recently!
As discussed above, the Nats might finally be buyers at the deadline for the first time in 7 years. This comes as good news for Nats fans in a multitude of ways starting off with some security around CJ Abrams. Prior to the season start, when no one believed the Nats would do anything positive, there was heavy discussion that CJ Abrams would be traded away at the deadline, with conversations surrounding him coming up more and more. As the heart and soul of this Nats team, if the Nats keep winning and buy rather than deal at the deadline, he should be safe with them, which is what every Nats fans want. Crazy to think they are a couple of good weeks from building a squad around James Wood and Abrams, and a couple of bad weeks from losing the Nats team All-Star and favorite.
All-Star voting is currently going on and while CJ Abrams is looking comfortable as a lock for NL Shortstop, James Wood still needs our help. Leading the NL OF in HRs, OPS, Runs, XBH, Walks and WRC+, there is no reason that he isn’t higher in the voting for NL outfielders. Be sure to get your 5 votes in and we will see if the Nats fandom is able to get Wood to a position he deserves.
Dylan Crews, the Nats 2023 2nd overall pick has continued his little run with yesterday’s game. After struggling following his original call up to the majors, Crews was called back up in mid May last month, right when the Nats started trending in the right direction. He has recorded hits in 6 of his last 7 games, along with 9 Rbis in those 7. Only 24 years old and having a ceiling higher than ever, let’s hope Crews can continue this run, and become a solid starter for the team.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
Despite the tough loss yesterday to lose the chance at the sweep, the Nats spirits are not too diminished, coming off of a 4 game win streak prior, and playing their best baseball so far this season, they are ready to keep it up.
“Obviously, you want to finish out and close out the series on a win,” said Wood. “But I feel like we played two really good games, and I feel like we’ll carry that into Tampa.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think James Wood will get his All-Star bid he deserves?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
Drive engagement and growth. Vote Vote Vote Vote Vote! You get 5 votes! Vote here to make sure Abrams and Wood are All-Stars!
Want exclusive breakdowns before anyone else? 🔔 Subscribe to The Nats Report+ Morning Briefing — exclusive access, deep dives, and so much more!
Nats Lose Chance to Sweep in Day Loss
fa
🔥 HEADLINE
Nats fail to get the sweep in Wednesday’s game, unable to get the bats going
Final Score: Nationals 2, Royals 2
Date: June 17, 2026
Location: Nationals Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
A couple errant pitches from Zack Littell, and the offense struggling to get going was all it took for the Nats to drop the sweep opportunity on Wednesday. Losing their first game after winning 4 in a row hurts, but with a rest day today to put the loss behind them, they must get the bats ready to go as they work to win their 5th straight series in Tampa over the weekend.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Luinder Avila ([2–3], 5.2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 5 K)
Losing Pitcher: Zack Littell ([6–6], 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K)
Key Hitters:
Nasim Nunez: 2-for-3, 2 Singles
CJ Abrams: 1-for-4, RBI Double, Run
Dylan Crews: 1-for-4, RBI Single
Team RISP: [1-for-6]
Errors: Nats 0, Royals 0
Attendance: 17,643
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nats have now won 4 straight series, with their best series streak this year being 5-0-1, they have a good chance of catching that and doing even better.
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Tampa Bay Rays, June 19, 2026, 7:10 PM ET, Tropicana Field
Probables: Nats — Cade Cavalli, Rays — Griffin Jax
Key Storyline: Can the Nats keep their series win streak going as they push to buy at the deadline and keep their season hot?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
How do you think the Nats weekend series against the Rays goes in Tampa?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
Like this recap? Check out yesterday’s Harrisburg senators preview by Bobby Beaver!
👉 Forward to a friend and Subscribe to Nats Report+ for insider quotes, and extra analytics and so much more.
theFUTURE
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
With all 4 Nats Minor League affiliates playing at home this week, they look to keep trending in a positive direction sweeping the Wednesday slate last night and all currently having a high chance of competing in the playoffs later in the season. With the Fred Nats and Rochester Red Wings being the best parts of the farm system, the Blue Rocks and Senators look to get heating up again in the upcoming weekend.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Rochester Red Wings, Nats Triple-A affiliate won their game in a close one, 6-5 yesterday, moving them to 43-26 on the year. In the win, Nats number 6 prospect Seaver King had another big game. Since being called up to Triple-A last month King has been playing some great baseball, notching 2 hits and an RBI in the win yesterday. Nats fans should be excited to see him in the league in the upcoming year.
The Nats Single-A affiliate Fred Nats have now won back-to-back games, winning yesterday 3-0 moving them to 46-19 on the year. Nats number 8 prospect Gavin Fien tallied a hit in the win. Currently getting reps in the lead-off spot since Eli Willits reassignment, Fien should be able to continue growing, eventually finding his rhythm and inevitable call up.
The Harrisburg Senators, Nats Double-A affiliate won 11-6 in a big way yesterday, moving them to 33-32 on the season. In their win on Wednesday, Nats 24 year-old Cayden Wallace had an amazing performance, tallying 3 hits, 2 runs and 4 RBIs in the win. Currently batting .298 on the year, Cayden Wallace has been playing some extremely consistent baseball and awaits his call up soon enough.
Nats High-A affiliate, the Wilmington Blue Rocks have also won 2 in a row, winning 6-0 yesterday to move them to 30-34 on the year. In the win, Nats number 24 prospect Angel Feliz had a solid outing, tallying 3 hits, an RBI and a run. Moving his season average up to .244 on the year, Feliz is trending in the right direction and we can hope he keeps it up.
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nats 4 minor league teams are now a combined 152-111 on the season, 41 games above .500, an insane mark halfway through the year.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Have you gone and seen any of the Nats minor league affiliates play yet this season? How was it?
📬 SUBSCRIBER CTA
Drive engagement and growth. Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Game Recap by Leo West!
Want the full breakdown before anyone else? 🔔 Subscribe to The Nats Report Morning Briefing — exclusive access, deep dives, and insider audio drops every weekday morning.
👉 [Subscribe now] | [Share with a fellow Nats fan]
WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 KONAMI eBaseball MLB All-Star Ballot (MLB)
📌Four pitches cost Nats a chance to seize a golden opportunity (MLB)