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.

The matchup between the New York Mets (19-9) and Washington Nationals (13-15) features Griffin Canning taking the mound for New York against Trevor Williams for Washington. The Mets recently suffered a shocking loss, squandering a seven-run lead, allowing the Nationals to rally in the last three innings for an 8-7 victory, with Riley Adams hitting a pivotal three-run home run in the seventh.

Tonight's game is crucial as the Nationals have taken two of the first three in this four-game series. Betting trends show the Mets have won 6 of their last 7 road games following a defeat. The latest odds favor the Mets with a -158 moneyline while the Nationals sit at +133. Predictions suggest a strong possibility of an OVER on the game total of 9.0 runs.

The Washington Nationals are actively finalizing agreements with arbitration-eligible players to avoid hearings scheduled for February. Catcher Riley Adams and relief pitcher Derek Law have successfully reached contracts, leaving four players still in negotiations. One notable player, starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, secured a one-year deal with the team, although contract details have not been disclosed.

Gore, who earned $749,600 last season, is expected to receive a significant raise following a strong performance in 2024. The young pitcher notched career highs with ten wins, a 3.90 ERA, and 181 strikeouts over 166.1 innings, showcasing the potential that made him a top prospect.

Despite leading the league with 14 wild pitches, many of Gore's advanced metrics point to an upward trajectory in his performance. In the last month of the season, he emerged as one of baseball's top pitchers, achieving a remarkable 1.26 ERA across five starts with 35 strikeouts, making it clear he is a key asset for the Nationals moving forward.

Several Major League Baseball players are poised for salary arbitration, with 29 players eligible after two to three years of service time. Notable names include Boston's Jarren Duran and Kutter Crawford, along with Seattle's George Kirby and Tampa Bay's Shane Baz.

The eligibility cutoff has been adjusted to 2 years and 132 days of service, impacting players like Washington's Michael Rucker and Atlanta's Angel Perdomo. The arbitration process will see proposed salaries exchanged on January 9, with hearings scheduled for late January to mid-February.

The Washington Nationals are looking to bolster their roster this offseason, with a clear focus on acquiring a middle-of-the-order bat, particularly at first or third base. Free agency presents several options, including Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suarez for third base, while Pete Alonso and Christian Walker are potential fits at first base.

Additionally, the team is eyeing improvements at the catcher position, as Keibert Ruiz's performance has not met expectations. General Manager Mike Rizzo emphasized the need for better defensive skills, particularly in pitch framing and managing base runners. Despite having a trio of catchers, Rizzo acknowledged the potential for upgrades, possibly through free agency or trades, with Willson Contreras being a notable target.