After dropping game 1 of the series to the Mets 8-1, the Nats showed a level of resilience that they’ve been missing for some time, winning the next 2 games to take the series, including the third one in comeback fashion. The return to the lineup of Dylan Crews has seemingly provided a spark to the club, as they’ve split a series with the first-place Phillies and won a series against the 2nd place Mets since his return. While he’s been just solid in the batter’s box since his return, posting a .724 OPS, it’s what Crews brings to the table as a defender and clubhouse leader that makes him such a valuable asset.
The Nationals now head to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies once again, this time for a 3-game set. After splitting the series in DC, the Phillies went home and swept a strong Seattle Mariners ballclub, pushing their record to 74-53 and their division lead to 7 games over the Mets. They hold a 1-game lead over the Dodgers for the 2nd NL bye, which, if they can hold on, would let them avoid the Wild Card round, a huge advantage that allows them to line up their division however they’d like in the Divisional Round. Thus, every game matters for them down the stretch, and they will be looking to perform better this time around against a young Nats club. On the Nationals’ side of things, while there are no draft pick or playoff implications in any of their games down the stretch, they are playing to prove to fans and themselves that they are a better team than their record implies and that next year could be the year they finally turn the corner.
Team OPS: .751 (3rd in NL, 6th in MLB)
Team OPS Leader: Kyle Schwarber (.957)
Team HR Leader: Kyle Schwarber (45)
Team ERA: 3.76 (4th in NL, 7th in MLB)
Team ERA Leader: Christopher Sanchez (2.46)
The Phillies’ offense is a well-oiled machine, led by 3 former Nationals at the top in Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, and Kyle Schwarber. Turner is quietly having one of the best seasons of his career, playing some of the best defense of his career and putting up a very respectable 124 wRC+, all resulting in a 5.8 fWAR in 125 games so far. Kyle Schwarber is loudly having one of his best seasons, having already smoked 45 home runs and putting up a 160 wRC+, placing him firmly in NL MVP discussions. Harper missed a handful of games earlier in the year but is putting up numbers right in line with his career norms, posting a 137 wRC+ over 99 games this season. Outside of their big 3, however, the Phillies have struggled to find consistent offense, with 3 other hitters hovering right above league average offensively and everyone else below.
The Phillies’ rotation is an absolute gauntlet for opposing lineups, as there are no breaks when it comes to their starters. From Cy Young candidates in Christopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler (who unfortunately went on the 15-day IL with a blood clot), to reliable lefties in Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo, to polished veterans in Aaron Nola and Taijuan Walker, it’s no surprise they’ve been as good as they are this year. In the bullpen, the midseason additions of Jhoan Duran and David Robertson have improved one of the weaker spots on their roster and turned it into a strength now, as they now have multiple elite late-inning weapons in Duran, Strahm, and Kerkering.
Game One – Friday 6:45 PM EST
WSH: RHP Cade Cavalli (1-0) – 16.1 IP, 2.20 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Everything was clicking for Cavalli in his last start against the Phillies, as he went 7 shutout innings and earned his first big league win. In 3 starts since making his long-awaited return, he’s been even better than advertised, posting a 2.20 ERA and showing more length every outing. Don’t expect a repeat of his last start as he heads into a rowdy Citizens Bank Park to face the strong Phillies lineup again, but hopefully, he can contain them once more.
PHI: RHP Taijuan Walker (4-6) – 91.2 IP, 3.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Walker has been a pleasant surprise for the Phillies this season, as he’s posted a 2.89 ERA over his last 7 starts, including a 6 2/3 innings, 2-run performance against the Nats last time out that resulted in a loss due to the brilliance of Cade Cavalli that day.
Game Two – Saturday 6:05 PM EST
WSH: LHP Mitchell Parker (7-13) – 129.2 IP, 5.83 ERA, 1.50
Just about nothing has gone right for Parker in the 2nd half of the season, as he’s posted a 6.90 ERA over his last 15 starts, including an ERA over 9(!!) in his last 7 starts. He needs to show serious progress if he wants a shot at the Nationals’ 2026 rotation, and it needs to happen soon.
PHI: RHP Aaron Nola (1-7) – 52 IP, 6.92 ERA, 1.60
The Nats roughed up Nola in his first start in over 3 months last time out, scoring 6 runs over 2 1/3 innings of work. Nearly all of Nola’s career has been a mixture of great performance in even years and regression in the odd years, and that trend has continued so far in 2025, as he’s posted a 6.92 ERA over 10 starts.
Game Three – Sunday 1:35 PM EST
WSH: RHP Jake Irvin (8-8) – 146 IP, 5.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP
Like Parker, Irvin has been getting smoked in the 2nd half of the year, posting a 6.95 ERA over his last 15 starts. I have more faith that he can turn it around due to his ability to go out there and dominate at times, but also like Parker, he needs to show he can do it without getting shelled the same amount if he wants to be in the Nats rotation in 2026.
PHI: LHP Ranger Suarez (9-6) – 119 IP, 3.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
Suarez has always been underrated as a backend member of a strong Phillies rotation, and with his free agency looming, he’s setting himself up for a nice payday by posting career-best numbers. He has had some struggles over his past 7 starts, however, posting a 5.57 ERA, something the Nats will need to take advantage of.
The past 2 series have gone just about as well as Nats fans could’ve hoped for, but they’ve had short stints of success like this in 2025 before, all before things go south again. Can they build on the success this time, or will they fall back into old habits? Whatever does happen, the important thing is continued success and growth by the young guns on the roster, especially Dylan Crews, as he gets back to 100% from his oblique injury.
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