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Veteran Pop Paves the Way for a Nationals Victory by Noah Kravitz

    The Nats were able to salvage the finale of the opening series of the 2025 season against the Philadelphia Phillies and avoid a sweep. 

Not necessarily reflected from the previous two losses, the team’s offense had been performing decently well. During this three-game series, the Nats hit 6 home runs. An encouraging stat knowing the team lacked a significant amount of power within their lineup in 2024. 


Keibert Ruiz, among the players who hit not just one out of the park, but a second back on Saturday. He is 5-10 in his 10 plate appearances so far this season. We’ve made it known throughout the entirety of this Nationals rebuild that it would be crucial for Keibert Ruiz to break out at some point. Signed to an 8-year contract extension in the 2023 offseason, locking him up in D.C. for the foreseeable future. As previously mentioned, a breakout year for Ruiz would be very encouraging to see, as Mike Rizzo is certainly hoping to get as much talent and production out of his young backstop.

The Nationals are hoping for C Keibert Ruiz to breakout this year

     One notable bright spot in Sunday’s outcome was the offensive production from the team’s veterans Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Bell, and Paul DeJong, with Lowe and Bell each going deep. DeJong had three hits in each of his 3 plate appearances. Before, he struck out in 5 of 6 at-bats in a two-game span versus Philadelphia, but he was able to find his stride and give his team a chance on Sunday to propel them to victory. 

INF Paul DeJong got a flyer-type contract this offseason and led the charge on offense along with other vets.



The team was also propelled to victory from incredible starting pitching. Props to Mitchell Parker, but the mix of starters manager Davey Martinez handed the ball to throughout this opening series. MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, as well as Parker combined for an ERA of 1.08 which was among the top in the league. The production from these three players was over the top, and subtracting the bullpen miscues, this team could’ve found themselves having more victories in their pocket than what they have currently.

LHP Mitchell Parker gives the Nationals their first win of 2025.

 


Parker went 6 ⅓ innings against Philly, was able to find his way to the 7th inning but was pulled after allowing a few baserunners. He received a nice standing-ovation from Nats Park as he made his way towards the dugout. A delight to see as Nationals starting pitchers in this three-game-span pitched exceptionally well. 


Sitting with a record of 1-2, Washington will travel for their first road series in 2025 against the Toronto Blue Jays.


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