The Washington Nationals won a game that on paper defied all logic. That is baseball. Before today’s game, the Orioles fired their manager, Brandon Hyde. They didn’t even give him a chance to get to 19-31 from their current 15-28. As you know, the 19-31 record was the spot the Nats were in during this week in 2019 en route to their World Series win. Speaking of 19-31, the Nats are at the exact record as they were in 2019 at 19-27. You hope Washington can capitalize on the momentum from last night and find a way to go 20-27 so we don’t have to worry about 19-31.
For manager Dave Martinez, he has kept his employment. The difference between Hyde and Martinez is that the Nationals were not supposed to be a playoff contender this year after the team won 71-games the past two years. But that does not mean there weren’t higher expectations for this 2025 Nats’ team. Right row, the Nationals are only on a 67-win pace. That should not cut it. Martinez is reportedly in his final year under his current contract, and the team holds an additional year in an option.
“When your margin for error is smaller, you have to play a cleaner brand of baseball.”
— Rizzo said on Wednesday on 106.7 The Fan radio
You can see the recent bullpen usage here:
Here are your Nats’ WAR leaders with James Wood at +1.6 followed by MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, and Mitchell Parker. On the negative side, Josh Bell has fallen to a -0.8 at this point and the worst on the team.
On defense, the stats are starting to give you an idea of what this defense is all about. Paul DeJong is your OAA leader and he hasn’t played in almost a month dating back to April 15. Luis Garcia Jr. has slumped this season defensively to a -4.0 already — and with CJ Abrams, they combine for -8.0 OAA. Another issue that we have discussed is the positioning of Nathaniel Lowe at first base as he is too often out of position to make a play — and OAA has his chance at success at only 61 percent which must improve. With as little as Amed Rosario has played, he is at -5.0 OAA this season and the worst on the team. Per Statcast, his defense has cost the Nationals four runs. Is his offense good enough to make up that deficit? Keibert Ruiz, per Statcast, has a -5.0 OAA also. The Nationals were supposed to be better on defense. What has happened?
These are your stats leaders on BBRef. There are certainly some surprises on there — good and not so good — but the gap is widening.
“These guys had heart [yesterday]. … They had a lot of energy. They wanted it.”
— Dave Martinez said
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.53 and 6th worst in MLB. The reliever’s ERA sits at a 6.52 and no longer the worst in baseball in ERA.
Here is how the starters rank by ERA:
No. 5 Starter: Trevor Williams 5.91
No. 4 Starter: Michael Soroka 6.43
No. 3 Starter: Mitchell Parker 4.32
No. 2 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.00
No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 3.67
Washington Nationals vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium: Orioles Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
1st Pitch: 4:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app; In Spanish on DC 87.7 FM and La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM. On Sirius/XM, tune to Channel 178 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
