Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Game Thread
Follow along as the Nationals kick off their first series against a divisional foe. They face the hated Phillies
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 29: CJ Abrams #5 high-fives Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after the final out of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on March 29, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images After a great series win in Chicago to open the season, the Nats face another tough challenge. The Philadelphia Phillies have had their number for the last few years.
However, these new look Nats have already shown they will not back down. This is also the first divisional matchup and the last series before the Nats home opener. Blake Butera tried to balance analytics and feel in this lineup.
He put the red hot Joey Wiemer in the lineup, but is hitting him 9th against a righty. Wiemer has not been productive against right handed pitching in his career, but he is too hot to sit. He will also be in center field today.
James Wood will remain in the leadoff spot, while Luis Garcia Jr. will be in the two hole. Even against a righty, CJ Abrams will be down hitting fifth, which is a bit surprising.