The Washington Nationals needed a win last night — and they got it. One of the best comeback wins of the season by this Nats team. Today, the Nats will go for a series win.

In today’s afternoon game, the Nats will have LHP Andrew Alvarez on the mound. He has been one of the most pleasant surprises of this season with his +2.1 WAR in just about a half-season of production.

The Nationals made some more roster moves in a surprise they sent Clayton Beeter to Triple-A. He had one of his best relief appearances of his season last night with a 1-2-3 eighth inning that was highlighted by a strikeout of Mike Trout. Sending Beeter to the minors now will save the Nats from using a minor league option as he will be there less than 20 days. Up in Beeter’s place is LHP Richard Lovelady who returns from the 60-day IL.

There was an injury concern with Harry Ford who hurt his wrist/hand on a swing. He was not put on the IL today. We will see where this goes.

The Nationals claimed right-handed pitcher Chase Hampton off outright waivers from the New York Yankees and optioned him to Double-A Harrisburg. To make room for Hampton on the 40-man roster, the Nats transferred right-handed pitcher Matt Waldron to the 60-day Injured List.

Since the World Series season of 2019, the Nationals have not won more than 71 games in a season. Can these Nats surpass that number? That would take 4-wins to reach that mark. There are 13 games remaining in this 2026 season. To avoid a 90 loss season, the Nats need to get 5-games in the win column to get to 73 wins. It won’t be easy, but can the Nats go 5-8 to finish this season?

❝You’ve got to be able to win games in different ways, and I think we did a good job of that [in this game by] playing really good baseball.❞

— said manager Blake Butera

On offense, the Nats have the third most runs scored in MLB this season at 760 runs, and that is an impressive 5.10 runs per game. With the Nats pitching giving up 4.74 earned runs per game, the difference is really those pesky unearned runs due to the errors. Overall, the Nats have a +1 run differential on the season.

Here is manager Blake Butera‘s bullpen chart:

The FanGraphs WAR chart is now large in its sample size. You can certainly start to extrapolate the numbers for the full-season. The OAA defense stat is now giving us a picture of what the Nats have — and don’t have.

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Los Angeles Angels vs. Washington Nationals

Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 4:05 PM EDT
TV: Nationals.TV
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app. On Sirius/XM, tune to Channel 205 for the home broadcast and the road team is online only.

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y'all ever seen a lineup line up like this

→ https://t.co/HyMhWpLQbB pic.twitter.com/1RfDLnY7mk

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 12, 2026

Photo by Marlene Koenig /Nats.Talk