Mark Zuckerman

Pitchers and catchers report for spring training tomorrow. And so do I. Welcome to Nats Journal. Hope you'll join me on this new endeavor, and hope you'll help spread the word! natsjournal.com/p/welcome-to...

First @natschatpodcast.bsky.social of the offseason! * Rizzo as Astros GM? * Nats retain coaches, part with trainers * Lile’s Gold Glove candidacy * Will Toboni be aggressive before Dec. 1? www.natschatpodcast.com/episode-post...

The Nationals have more viable rotation options than they’ve had in a long time, but few sure things. Here’s a look at some of their back-end candidates heading into 2027. natsjournal.com/p/nats-back-...

Confirming some news: * The Nats' full coaching staff will return next year, but most of the training staff will not. (First reported by @spencernusbaum.bsky.social) * Riley Adams has signed a minor-league deal with Boston (first reported by @aria1exander.bsky.social) natsjournal.com/p/coaching-s...

Game times for 2027 home games are now listed on the Nationals' website. One slight change from recent seasons: Friday night games in June/July/August will start at 7:05. All other night games remain at 6:45. www.mlb.com/nationals/sc...

From AAA to a bulk relief role to eventually the rotation, Andrew Alvarez wound up delivering the kind of season only a handful of Nationals pitchers have achieved in the year two decades, putting the lefty in a strong position entering 2027. natsjournal.com/p/how-alvare...

After another season with an ERA over 5.00, Jake Irvin is at a crossroads with a Nationals organization he knows will be demanding more. natsjournal.com/p/irvin-at-a...

I don’t care about the ratings, I’m excited for Brewers-Rays. Best team in each league all season. Each seeking the franchise’s first World Series title. Sign me up!

Nobody knows local college basketball like Patrick, and nobody’s better at predicting the bracket. If you’re a fan/alum of any D1 program in the DMV, check out his new venture!

After delivering the best season by a Nationals pitcher since 2019 and becoming their first pitcher to sign an extension since Stephen Strasburg, the expectations for Cade Cavalli will be sky high next year. natsjournal.com/p/expectatio...

Foster Griffin so far this postseason: 3.48 ERA, 15 K, 0 BB

The Brewers are the 19th MLB franchise to reach the World Series in the last 15 years. (Teams to reach the finals in other leagues: NHL-18, NBA-14, NFL-13) Whoever wins now will be the 11th different champion in 15 years. (Other leagues: NBA-12, NHL-10, NFL-9)

Daylen Lile, who showed massive defensive improvement this season, is a Gold Glove Award finalist in left field with Jackson Chourio and Ian Happ. Jacob Young (center field) and Nasim Nuñez (second base) were not finalists at their respective positions.

Nasim Nuñez played elite defense, set a club record for stolen bases … and had MLB’s lowest OPS by a hitter with 450 PAs since Alfredo Griffin in 1990. Does that work for the Nationals, or do they need more? natsjournal.com/p/has-nunez-...

Is CJ Abrams an MVP-candidate shortstop or second baseman on a winning Nationals team in 2027? Or is he destined to be wearing a different uniform next March (or next August)? Any one of those scenarios feels wholly plausible at this point. natsjournal.com/p/whats-the-...

Brady House returned from a two-month stint at AAA “like a totally different person” and showed the Nationals he could improve both at the plate and in the field. On the young third baseman’s season and what lies ahead: natsjournal.com/p/in-season-...

With major improvements both at and behind the plate, Keibert Ruiz enjoyed a desperately needed bounce-back season and re-established himself as the Nationals’ No. 1 catcher. natsjournal.com/p/how-ruiz-r...

Would it surprise you to know that Jacob Young had an .810 OPS after the All-Star break despite hitting only 2 homers? On the Nationals center fielder’s step-forward season at the plate: natsjournal.com/p/with-major...

Daylen Lile’s sophomore season didn’t include any real sustained hot streaks, but it did include solid all-around numbers and dramatically improved defense. natsjournal.com/p/despite-la...

Dylan Crews’ focus this season was on process. It’s time for that process to finally produce more positive results. natsjournal.com/p/better-pro...

CJ Abrams is one of 10 finalists for the Hank Aaron Award, given to the best offensive player in each league.

Kicking off our player review series with James Wood, who performed at an elite level this season but also acknowledged “there’s a whole lot of meat left on the bone.” natsjournal.com/p/is-wood-re...

MLB announces catcher Francisco Rivero, currently on the roster of the rookie-level Florida Complex League Nationals, has received a 56-game suspension after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance. First Nats player suspended in a long time.

So … how did we all do with our Opening Day predictions about the 2026 Nationals? natsjournal.com/p/revisiting...

We will see you tomorrow night from 7-9pm at our annual Podcast Party!

“Erick Fedde closing out a playoff series for the Chicago White Sox in 2026” was not on my bingo card.

On the state of the Nationals’ farm system, which has seen its overall stock rise after a year of both individual and team success. natsjournal.com/p/revamped-f...

1. Excellent start to this postseason 2. The Phillies are such a roller coaster of emotions

The Nationals say the goal is to reach the postseason in 2027. Now, how do they get there? natsjournal.com/p/what-it-wi...

We covered a lot of ground in our Game 162 episode of @natschatpodcast.bsky.social , including (yes) ownership’s task this winter in helping get this team over the hump in 2027. Listen here: www.natschatpodcast.com/episode-post...

This was unquestionably a successful season for the Nationals, who went from 66 wins and a -212 run differential to 77 wins and a +6 run differential. But it also could’ve been more, and they know it, which now fuels them heading into 2027. natsjournal.com/p/a-successf...

Plenty to check out in our final 2026 regular season episode following a #Nats 6-4 win over the #Mets w/ @MarkZuckerman & @AlGaldi: open.spotify.com/episode/22Tl...

That’s a wrap on season 22 covering the Nationals, a season that was thoroughly enjoyable for me on a personal level. Thank you to everyone who helped make that possible, and keep subscribing to natsjournal.com for full coverage throughout the offseason and lockout!

Final: Nats 6, Mets 4. Andres Chaparro homered twice. And four relievers from the bullpen that set MLB's all-time blown saves record combined for six scoreless innings to give the Nationals a 77-win season (up from 66 last year).

Nats' total attendance: 1,839,116, a slight decrease from 1,916,768 last year. They've drawn between 1.83-1.97 million each of last 4 years, but this year’s total officially is their lowest since 2010, when they drew 1,828,066. (Excluding the COVID-restricted 2020-21 seasons.)

2:05 p.m. first pitch, say the Nationals.

The start of Game 162 will be delayed by rain.

Nats LHP Herz vs Mets LHP Manaea (1:05/Nationals TV/106.7 FM)

Connelly Early tossed 3 scoreless innings on Saturday afternoon in his #Nats debut. Hear our recap of the 7-1 loss to the visiting #Mets: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

Connelly Early finally made his Nationals debut Saturday and cruised through 3 scoreless innings, a nice opening act for what’s to come in 2027 and beyond. “He’s going to be a huge, huge part of this.” natsjournal.com/p/better-ear...

The Nationals have moved up the start time of Sunday's season finale from 3:05 p.m. to 1:05 p.m., again trying to avoid the worst of the rain (which they did pull off today!).

Final: Mets 7, Nats 1. Connelly Early was sharp in his 3-inning team debut. Jake Irvin and Richard Lovelady combined to give up 7 runs from the 7th-9th innings. One more to go Sunday at 3:05 p.m. (weather permitting).

From 2005-20, the Nationals had only 1 pitcher with 100 IP and an ERA over 5.50 (Ramon Ortiz in 2006). Since 2021, they've had 9: Patrick Corbin (2021-22, 2024) Erick Fedde (2022) Trevor Williams (2023) Mitchell Parker (2025) Miles Mikolas (2026) Jake Irvin (2025-26)

Three scoreless for Connelly Early on a mere 34 pitches (21 strikes). Fastball was 93-94 mph, right in line with his average pre-injury. Breaking balls were sharp. All in all, that worked out as well as everyone could've hoped.

Max Scherzer just met with media here in Toronto. He’s going to make a decision on his future in the offseason, but wanted to pitch with his kids in attendance at Rogers Centre one more time Sunday, just in case. #BlueJays

Nats LHP Early vs Mets RHP Tong (12:35/Nationals TV/106.7 FM)

2026 Nationals Award Winners (as voted by media): Player of the Year: James Wood Pitcher of the Year: Cade Cavalli Good Guy(s) Award: Nasim Nuñez and Jacob Young

Connelly Early is officially activated off the 60-day IL, with Luis Perales optioned to AAA and Chase Hampton DFA'd to clear roster space for him.

The Nats' Friday night 7-6 victory over the #Mets guaranteed that New York will finish in last place in the NL East: Hear our episode after a very busy day at #Nationals Park: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...

The bullpen door swung open, Josiah Gray emerged and a crowd of 28,639 roared as he notched his first career save in his first home game in nearly 3 seasons. "I can't thank the fans enough, because I really think that kept me going out there." natsjournal.com/p/not-quite-...

Final: Nats 7, Mets 6. Josiah Gray becomes the 16th different member of the bullpen to record a save this season (the first of his career). And the Nationals have clinched 4th place in the NL East, with the Mets clinching last place.