Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Wednesday, July 29, 2026
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Today vs. Toronto Blue Jays 1:05 PM ET
Thursday @ Atlanta Braves 7:00 PM ET - Start of New 4 Game Away Series
Friday @Atlanta Braves 7:15 PM ET
Saturday @ Atlanta Braves 7:15 PM ET
Nats In Position for 4th Straight Series Win and Wild Card Spot
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
With the win yesterday to even the series up against the Toronto Blue Jays, today the Nats are in prime position to win their 4th straight series and enter the 3rd NL Wild Card spot. Since losing 3 straight going into the All-Star break, the Nats have since won 3 straight series, going 7-4 since the festivities ended. With last night’s win, the Nats should still be leaning towards buying at the MLB trade deadline, which is now officially one week away. As fewer and fewer opportunities appear for the Nats to make their case as all-in buyers, winning their 4th straight series would look pretty good to the front office towards their potential in reaching a playoff spot for the first time in 7 years.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
With last nights win, the Nats moved to 55-53 on the year, continuing to bobble above .500 since the break. With the Marlins recently going on an 12 game losing streak, the Nats have currently solidified their spot as 3rd in the NL East, arguably the best division in baseball this year. Currently only now sitting 3 games out of 2nd place in the NL East behind the Phillies, the real race to watch is the one for the NL Wild Card Spots. With the win yesterday the Nats continued their push to be finally sitting in a playoff position, now just 1 game out of the 3rd and final spot. Only one game out of current playoff contention, and already making a positive move towards the future of the season, all signs seem to currently point towards the Nats making their first playoff push since 2019. Winning today’s day game to wrap up the series could be the final reassurance the front office needs.
In case you somehow missed it until now, the Nats made their “first trade deadline move”, acquiring 24 year old LHP Connelly Early from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Curtis Mead. Early has had a great season so far, and is one of the most promising young arms in the league. And now, sespite currently sitting on 15 day-IL, Early made his first Nats bullpen session Monday, and is looking like a full recovery in the next week or so is imminent and likely. Likewise in pitching news for the Nats, Jake Irvin, who has been on IL since late May, is officially slated to be reactivated this week. In a long winded recovery, Irivin made his first rehab start in the minors over the weekend and looks ready to be back!
Pertaining to the trade deadline, talks surrounding Nats All-Star ace Foster Griffin continue to gain traction, with many analysts believing that the Nats see him go by the time of the deadline. Griffin came out of nowhere this year, as the 30 year old “rookie” currently is top 3 in the MLB in wins, and has sat at a sub 3.00 ERA for the majority of the season. However, in a random breakout year, the Nats would be able to get the most return value on him that they ever will be able to. It was reported that at the game the other night where he pitched, the Phillies and Rays sent scouts to watch him play. While it would be a blow to see the best pitcher go from the team, it could very well become a reality over the next couple days as we wait to see what direction the front office goes at this deadline.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
In yesterday’s win, the Nats always amazing offense took a different approach than just mashing the ball, taking 6 walks in the first inning. Rookie manager Blake Butera noted how impressive it is that despite the immense hitting power on the team, they can still be patient when needed.
“They were really patient and waited for a really good pitch to hit, and they weren’t trying to do too much – especially when we got bases loaded,” said manager Blake Butera. “They stayed stubborn and did a really good job of seeing pitches and seeing strikes and working the at-bats. Obviously getting the pitch count up to where we got it to and getting him out of the game in the first was big.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think we see Foster Griffin go at the article?
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Six Walk First Inning Gets Nats Back Into Win Column
🔥 HEADLINE
Nats take 6 walks in first inning, to get them 4 runs and make the Blue Jays pull their pitcher before even seeing a second
Final Score: Nationals 8, Blue Jays 6
Date: July 29, 2026
Location: Nats Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The game got off to a great start despite the rain delay at Nats park. Facing pitcher Shane Bieber, he was unable to get anything going, walking 6 of the first 9 batters in the Nats order, allowing 4 straight runs on 42 pitches and only 0.2 innings pitched. That was just about all the Nats needed to get the night going for them, as Luis Garcia Jr. and Dylan Crews would provide later insurance with home run knocks, and Cade Cavalli would go 6 innings only allowing 2 total runs. In a must win game for the Nats, they easily did their job to put them in position today in what feels like a chance to close out a must win series.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Cade Cavalli ([8–4], 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K)
Losing Pitcher: Shane Bieber ([2–2], 0.2 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 0 K)
Key Hitters:
Luis Garcia Jr.: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Dylan Crews: 1-for-4, HR, 2 Runs
Brady House: 2-for-3, 2 Singles
Team RISP: 2-for-7
Errors: Nats 2, Blue Jays 2
Attendance: 20,775
📈 MORNING STAT
In yesterday’s win, the Nats set a team record (2005-present) for the most walks drawn in a single inning in team history. They had drawn five free bases three times, but not in seven years: June 10, 2005 vs. Mariners (eighth inning); May 5, 2009 vs. Astros (sixth inning); April 7, 2019 vs. Mets (fifth inning).
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Toronto Blue Jays, Today, 1:05 PM ET, Nats Park
Probables: Nats — Zack Littell, Blue Jays — Trey Yesavage
Key Storyline: In another series clinching game at home before their road trip, can the Nats get the win early in the day to move to 4 straight series wins?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Nats get the job done in today’s early afternoon game?
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theFUTURE
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nats 4 affiliates had another successful night as they saw saw Rochester and Harrisburg both pick up impressive victories, while Fredericksburg came up short and Wilmington's game was postponed due to inclement weather, giving the four affiliates a 2-1 record on the day. The Red Wings continued strengthening their grip atop the International League standings, while the Senators stayed firmly in the Eastern League playoff race with one of their most complete offensive performances in recent weeks. With the MLB Trade Deadline now just days away, expect even more movement throughout the organizations, as several of Washington's top prospects continue pushing for promotions and opportunities at the next level.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
The Rochester Red Wings, the Nats Triple-A affiliate, improved to 60-41 on the season after defeating Syracuse 6-5 to help them continue leading the International League. Rochester broke the game open with a five-run second inning before holding off a late comeback. Christian Franklin led the offense with a two-hit, two-RBI performance, while Trey Lipscomb reached base three times and scored twice. And also importantly, on the mound, Jackson Kent earned his seventh win of the season after allowing three runs over 5.1 innings.
The Harrisburg Senators, the Nats Double-A affiliate, improved to 49-46 on the season with an 8-3 victory over Portland. Despite recording just five hits, the Senators capitalized on nine walks (like the Nats game) and timely hitting, highlighted by Ethan Petry's three-RBI night and Sam Petersen's triple, RBI, and two walks. Harrisburg's bullpen was outstanding, allowing just one hit over the final 4.2 innings to secure the win and keep the team firmly in the Eastern League playoff picture.
The Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Nats High-A affiliate, had their game postponed Tuesday night due to inclement weather. The game against Hudson Valley is scheduled to be made up as part of today’s action in a doubleheader.
The Fredericksburg Nationals, the Nats' Single-A affiliate, fell 6-1 to Delmarva, moving to 60-37 on the season but remaining comfortably atop the Carolina League. The FredNats managed just three hits offensively, with Cristhian Vaquero, Dashyll Tejeda, and Sir Jamison Jones accounting for all three. Despite the loss, Fredericksburg continues to own one of the best records in all of Single-A baseball.
📈 MORNING STAT
The Nationals' four full-season minor league affiliates now own a combined record of 217-174 on the season, with Rochester and Fredericksburg continuing to lead their respective divisions as the organization inches closer to the MLB Trade Deadline.
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think we see any other stars called up at the trade deadline?
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WHAT WE THINK THE NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE IS READING
Speed Reads
📌 The MLB trade deadline picture is as muddy as ever. What does history say teams should do? (Athletic)
📌Nationals walk their way to a team record, then use power to put away Blue Jays (MLB)