Nats Seek to Continue Momentum in Philadelphia Series Against Phillies

Following a tough 10-2 defeat on Saturday, the 2026 Nationals showcased a remarkable resilience not often seen in the previous season. They bounced back emphatically, led by Joey Wiemer, whose three-run homer helped secure a 6-3 victory over the Cubs, marking the Nats’ first opening series win since 2018. Wiemer, who has yet to record an out, astonishingly ranks tied for the major league lead in fWAR at 0.6, despite participating in just two games compared to others who have played four.

The Nationals now set their sights on Philadelphia, where they will face the struggling Phillies, currently sitting at the bottom of the division. The Phillies started the season strong with a win on opening day but faltered in their next two games. In their recent outing, MacKenzie Gore delivered a solid performance in his Rangers debut, throwing 5 1/3 innings and allowing only two runs. Meanwhile, the trio of former Nationals—Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper—struggled in their first series, with Turner and Schwarber both batting .154 and Harper managing just .091.

Game One Preview

Game one of the series is set for Saturday at 6:40 PM EST, featuring Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin making his debut against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker. Griffin’s return to the big leagues comes after a hiatus since 2022, but he showed promise during Spring Training, posting a 2.53 FIP over three appearances. Walker, who rebounded from a challenging 2024 season, aims to continue his solid performance from 2025, where he finished with a 4.08 ERA over 123.2 innings, and has a career ERA of 3.56 against the Nationals.

Game Two Preview

Monday’s matchup, also at 6:40 PM EST, remains uncertain for the Nationals as they have yet to announce a starter. While Littell is scheduled for the rotation, alternative options include a spot start from Brad Lord, a bullpen game, or a potential call-up from Triple A. The Phillies will counter with Andrew Painter, who is making his big league debut after recovering from Tommy John Surgery that sidelined him for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Painter had mixed results in 22 Triple A starts in 2025 but is expected to step into the fifth starter role for the Phillies.

Game Three Preview

On Tuesday at 1:05 PM EST, Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli will take the mound against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. Cavalli had a brief outing on Opening Day, lasting only 3 2/3 innings due to command issues, though he impressed with five strikeouts. This will be a crucial test for him against a formidable Phillies lineup—one he previously silenced with seven scoreless innings for his first major league win last season. Sanchez, who dominated the Rangers with six shutout innings and ten strikeouts in his season debut, will face a lefty-heavy Nationals lineup that has excelled against left-handed pitching, scoring 16 runs in their two games against such starters in 2026.

With a strong start to the season against a playoff team, manager Butera and his squad have a chance to send a clear message to the NL East. A series victory in Philadelphia, against their former players, could firmly establish that this Nationals team is no longer an easy target.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.