The Washington Nationals ended their season in encouraging fashion, taking two of three at home against Philadelphia. The first-place Phillies had a lot to play for in the series, with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs at stake, but the Nats took the first two games to ruin that possibility for their division rival.
Trevor Williams blanked the Phils on three hits for five innings in the series opener, and the Nats’ bullpen allowed only one run over the final four innings. Meanwhile, Nats’ hitters battered Ranger Suarez for seven hits and six earned runs in his two innings on their way to a 9-1 victory. Juan Yepez, Stone Garrett, Luis Garcia and Jacob Young collected three hits each.
In Saturday’s game, MacKenzie Gore did Williams one inning better, blanking the Phillies on three hits in six innings. Joey Gallo’s three-run homer in the eighth was the key blow in Washington’s 6-3 win.
On Sunday, Jake Irvin had an unusually bad start, giving up six runs while failing to complete five innings. Washington took a 6-3 loss in the last game of the season despite Dylan Crews’ three hits.
Bright future
While the Nats’ 2024 record equaled their 2023 mark of 71-91, there’s far more reason for Washington fans to be optimistic now than there was a year ago.
“They fought hard all year long,” said manager Dave Martinez. “I’m proud of them. These young guys learned a lot. They’re going to continue to learn and be ready to go next year.”
Young veterans like Garcia, Keibert Ruiz and CJ Abrams flashed their considerable potential. Garcia established himself as a top-notch second baseman, leading the team in batting average (.282), RBI (70), hits (141) and OBP (.318). Despite his late-season demotion, Abrams led the team with 20 homers and made the All Star team. Ruiz had a disappointing start to his season, but after the All Star break, he led the team in doubles and was second in homers and RBI.
Nats fans got a good long look at young players who could be cornerstones of the team next year and beyond – particularly outfielders Young, Crews and James Wood, but also mid-season call-ups Yepez (.283) and Alex Call (.343 in 99 at-bats), and trade acquisition Jose Tena (.274).
The Nats’ pitching staff looks like it could be a strength in future years as well. Irvin, Gore and Mitchell Parker all started at least 29 games and pitched 150 or more innings with 11 or more quality starts. Irvin and Gore shared the team lead with 10 wins. DJ Herz didn’t see as much time at the major league level, but led the starting staff with 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings. And Kyle Finnegan proved himself an elite closer with 38 saves – the most for a Nats reliever since 2013.
Off-season objectives
The Nats lack power and will surely be looking for corner infielders with 25-30 homer potential during the winter months, whether by trade, the draft or free agency. But the team has few glaring weaknesses otherwise, and with further development by the young talent already on the roster, playoff contention in 2025 is a reasonable expectation.
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