We’ll get to the Game Recap soon, but the pressure is mounting on South Capitol Street right now. Every loss feels catastrophic, and after dropping nine straight, it’s hard to imagine things getting much worse for the Nationals—or could they? There was a glimmer of hope last night with Brady House making his Major League debut, and for a moment, it looked like the team might finally steady itself. But then the Nationals let a lead slip away in the ninth, suffering yet another painful defeat. Beating the worst team in baseball should have been a chance to change the narrative, but the frustration only deepened. Martinez desperately needs some good news and a “Curly W” or two to shift the mood, but that didn’t happen last night, and fans have every right to be upset.

At this point, it’s obvious Martinez’s job is hanging by a thread. Still, it’s hard to see Mike Rizzo and Mark Lerner firing the only manager who brought a World Series title to D.C. The more likely scenario is that, in a couple of weeks, the Nationals won’t renew Martinez’s contract, letting him finish the season with his head held high. That raises a tough question: if Martinez is essentially a “lame duck” manager in two weeks, what’s the point of keeping him around for the rest of the year? As the losses pile up and frustration grows, the Nationals are facing a pivotal decision about the future of their dugout and their franchise.

Adding to the tension is the uncertainty surrounding the team’s direction. The Nationals have invested heavily in their farm system, and fans are eager to see prospects like Brady House, CJ Abrams, and James Wood take on larger roles. With so much focus on player development and the future, the organization must decide if Martinez is the right person to guide the next wave of talent. Is it better to maintain continuity for the sake of the younger players, or would a fresh voice help reset the culture and expectations in the clubhouse?

Meanwhile, the front office faces mounting pressure from a restless fan base that’s grown frustrated by the lack of progress since the 2019 championship run. Each loss not only chips away at morale but also intensifies calls for change. The next few weeks could define the Nationals’ trajectory for years to come—whether that means sticking with a familiar face or turning the page to a new chapter.

One thing is clear: the Nationals can’t afford to stay stagnant. With the trade deadline approaching and the season slipping away, every decision from here on out will be scrutinized, both for its immediate impact and for what it signals about the franchise’s long-term vision.

What should the Washington Nationals do right now?

The Nationals dropped their ninth straight game, falling 3-1 to the Marlins despite some standout individual performances. James Wood continued his impressive rookie campaign, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a two-run homer. Wood now sits tied for fifth in the National League with 18 home runs and has been red-hot over his last seven games, batting .407 (11-for-27) with two homers, six RBIs, and six extra-base hits.

Daylen Lile provided a bright spot with his first career home run, a 412-foot blast, finishing 1-for-3 on the night. Alex Call contributed with a hit and a run scored, and he’s now batting .286 over his last 16 games.

On the mound, Jake Irvin delivered his seventh quality start of the season, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five. Notably, Irvin has posted a 2.70 ERA after the first inning this year, the second-best mark on the team. In relief, Brad Lord was sharp again, tossing two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Over his last 12 appearances, Lord owns a 0.56 ERA and a .167 opponents’ batting average.

Despite these individual efforts, the Nationals couldn’t hold a late lead, and the Marlins completed a sweep, leaving Washington searching for answers as their losing streak continues.

The Nationals hope to break their nine-game losing streak by sending Right-hander Michael Soroka (3-4, 5.14 ERA) to get the start for the Nationals. The Nationals will face Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela (1-10, 7.23 ERA). Soroka’s only prior appearance against Colorado came in relief on June 30, 2024, when he tossed 4.0 innings, allowing one hit, two runs, two walks, and striking out six

In what was expected to be a celebratory night for the Nationals, the team instead endured another tough loss. However, the evening featured a significant silver lining: the major league debut of Brady House, who many believe could be the Nationals’ future third baseman.

House learned of his promotion in a last-minute meeting with Rochester Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy. LeCroy informed the young infielder he was being called up to make his MLB debut that night. House’s girlfriend would join him on the drive to Washington, while the rest of his family scrambled to arrange flights to witness the moment they’d long anticipated.

“I was, honestly, getting ready to go get some dinner and do laundry and all that stuff,” House said. “And then that was the best surprise."

House started at third base and batted sixth against Rockies left-hander Carson Palmquist. Nationals manager Davey Martinez made it clear House would be given every opportunity: “He’s going to get an opportunity to play every day,” Martinez said. “I kept it really short with him, because he’s been playing so well. I just told him: ‘Keep doing what you were doing down there. Play good defense and don’t worry about the hitting. The hitting will come’."

House arrived at Nationals Park after an early morning drive from Rochester. In his very first play at third base—and the first play of the game—he cleanly fielded a grounder from Jordan Beck and made an easy throw to first baseman Andrés Chaparro.

At the plate, House went 0-for-3 with a walk. He swung at the first pitch he saw—a 90.7 mph fastball from Palmquist—and flied out to right. In his next at-bat, he showed the plate discipline that had become his hallmark in Rochester, working a full count from 0-2 before drawing a six-pitch walk. He was called out on strikes in the sixth against righty Juan Mejia and grounded into a double play in the ninth after a six-pitch battle with Seth Halvorsen.

Reflecting on his debut, House said in his post-game comments “[You] try to treat it like any other game. I know it’s the first one, but you’ve got to control those emotions and just go out there and play. That’s what got me here, is just going out there and playing."

With the Nationals in need of a spark and third base a long-standing question mark since Anthony Rendon’s departure, House’s arrival signals hope for the future. As Martinez put it, “He’s playing really good defense, he’s hitting the ball really well. We figured now was the time to bring him up here and get him used to playing up here in the Major Leagues, so we’re really excited about that”.

For now, all eyes are on House as he begins what the Nationals hope will be a long and impactful major league career.