Washington hosts Pittsburgh in an early rubber match at Nationals Park, with Washington reshuffling the lineup as Dylan Crews sits. Robert Hassell moves to right, Jacob Young to center, Daylen Lile in left, and James Wood shifts to DH while Riley Adams handles catching and Nasim Nunez stays at second. Cade Cavalli starts for the Nats. Pittsburgh counters with a lefty-friendly lineup featuring Oneil Cruz, Ji Hwan Bae, Spencer Horwitz, Joey Bart catching, and Mike Burrows on the mound. The Nats seek a September spark against aPirates club facing similar odds, hoping to prove they can beat teams in this tier.

The tactical shifts create fantasy intrigue: expect Hassell and Young to climb the batting order, Lile and Wood to contribute from spots that boost run potential, and Cavalli to deliver mixed results against a left-handed heavy Pirates lineup. For Pittsburgh, left-handed combinations against Cavalli will test Washington’s defense and opportunistic baserunning. This game is a chance for both teams to showcase resilience in a tight early-season schedule.

Christian Franklin deserves a real MLB look for the Nationals as outfield production remains spotty. Since arriving in the Michael Soroka trade, the 25-year-old has posted a .296 average and an .840 OPS, showing a well-rounded hit tool and plate discipline that could translate quickly at the big league level. Moving Dylan Crews to center right now would unlock Franklin’s natural corner fit, while Hassell III and Jacob Young have not provided the needed impact. The end-of-season phase should be used to evaluate Leiter-like upside, and Franklin offers a credible test to determine if he belongs in the MLB long term.

With Franklin in the lineup, Crews could slide to his natural center field position, which the article argues is a better long-term alignment for the club. Hassell and Young have carried the lineup but haven’t produced, making a Franklin call-up a low-risk, high-reward move that could reshape the outfield root-up for 2026 and beyond.

Will Benson experienced a dramatic moment on Wednesday when his potential ninth home run of the season was robbed by Jacob Young of the Washington Nationals. As the Cincinnati Reds led 3-0 in the eighth inning, Young scaled the wall at Nationals Park to deny Benson a two-run blast. Despite this impressive feat, the Reds secured a 5-0 victory, ensuring they remain the only MLB team not to have been swept this season.

Young's athleticism has made him an invaluable asset for the Nationals this season. With a stellar outs above average rank in the 97th percentile, he has successfully robbed multiple home runs, including ones from notable players like Riley Greene and Ryan Mountcastle earlier this year. His defensive prowess continues to contribute significantly to the team's overall performance.

Jacob Young showcased an incredible defensive play on Wednesday night, scaling the outfield wall at Nationals Park to rob Riley Greene of a home run, marking a highlight in the Nationals' 9-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers. His backhanded catch added flair to an already impressive grab, although it didn't change the game's outcome significantly.

The Nationals surged towards their win with a six-run eighth inning fueled by Nathaniel Love's three-RBI triple, contributing to their overall offensive performance. Despite going hitless in four at-bats, Young's groundout helped bring a teammate home, underscoring his contributions beyond just a highlight reel moment. The Nationals now sit at 36-50 in the NL East, while the Tigers maintain their position with a 54-32 record, leading the American League.

Critical moments define games, and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Yosver Zulueta faced one such pivotal moment during Saturday evening's matchup against the Washington Nationals. In a crucial seventh inning scenario, with one out and a runner on third, Zulueta opted to throw to first base on a sacrifice bunt instead of attempting to nail the runner at home plate. This decision drew sharp criticism from commentators John Sadak and Barry Larkin.

Sadak noted that Zulueta had a clear chance to throw to home and catch the runner, Dylan Crews, who attempted to score. Larkin echoed these sentiments, suggesting Zulueta seemed unsure and lacked intent, which contributed to the decision. The missed opportunity resulted in the Nationals extending their lead to 8-4, highlighting the consequences of a split-second decision.