The 2026 MLB season has gotten off to a surprising start, as the Washington Nationals are tied with the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets at 3-1.
Entering the 2026 season, the Nationals were not expected to compete for the division. However, after taking two out of three from the Chicago Cubs to open the season and then defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 13-2 on Monday, they are early on looking like a Cinderella team.
Now, yes, it’s way too early to predict that the Nationals will have a very good season, but their early games against top teams, and the output of runs and wins, has been shocking, to say the least.
On Opening Day, the Nationals banged out 10 runs on 11 hits to pound the Cubs 10-4. It was a full team effort, as Joey Weimer, Jacob Young, and Brady House all homered to lead the charge. As for pitching, Cade Cavalli lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits, with three walks and five strikeouts. But the bullpen did their job, limiting the Cubs to one run on five hits over the next 5.1 innings to help seal the shocking Opening Day win.
After an off day, the Cubs returned the favor and took care of business with a 10-2 lopsided victory over the Nationals. But just when it looked like the Nationals were put back into place, they came out swinging in the final game of the series, scoring three runs in the top of the 1st, en route to a 6-3 series-clinching victory. Weimer was once again in the middle of the firepower, finishing 3-for-3 with a single, triple, and home run, just a double shy of hitting for the cycle. He also tied the MLB record for most consecutive plate appearances reaching base to start a season at 10, matching what Carlos Delgado accomplished with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002.
Jake Irvin earned the victory by tossing five innings, allowing two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Clayton Beeter, who has saved all but one game in 30 appearances since 2024, shut down the Cubs lineup in order in the bottom of the ninth for the save.
The Nationals then strolled into Philadelphia and once again stormed out of the gates, scoring four runs in the top of the 1st inning and never looking back as they pounded the Phillies pitching for 13 runs on 17 hits. This time, the game was led by nearly the entire lineup, as all but two batters recorded two hits (those two had one each), led by Jose Tena’s three-hit performance. On the mound, Foster Griffin shut down a dangerous Phillies lineup, tossing five innings, while allowing two runs on five hits, with no walks and five strikeouts. The bullpen followed by shutting the door, as the Nationals improved to 3-1 and the Phillies dropped to 1-3.
The Nationals and Phillies will square off again on Tuesday, with PJ Poulin getting the nod for Washington and rookie Andrew Painter making his MLB debut for Philadephia.
