Washington Nationals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will return to the leadoff spot for the team in Game 1 of their doubleheader on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Luis L. Ortiz at PNC Park. Abrams got the day off in the series opener at PNC Park on Thursday before Friday's contest was postponed due to inclement weather. Fantasy managers in all formats may want to keep the 23-year-old on the bench on Saturday given the way he's struggled lately. Abrams has one hit in 10 at-bats in three games to begin the month and has gone 2-for-26 (.077) with a walk and six strikeouts in his last seven games since Aug. 26. He's still had a dynamic year in 2024 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI and 28 stolen bases, but there's no secret Abrams is scuffling right now. He has never faced Ortiz in his career as he looks to get out of his funk during a doubleheader on Saturday.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore tossed six innings of one-hit ball in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Marlins, allowing just one run and one walk while striking out nine batters, but did not factor into the decision. It marked the third consecutive quality start for the 25-year-old after collecting just five quality starts over his first 25 games. The southpaw lowered his ERA on the season to 4.32, although his FIP (3.56) and xFIP (3.90) suggest he's been better than that. The former third-overall draft pick also has a 1.50 WHIP and 15.4% K-BB% for the year. His next start will come at home against Atlanta next Tuesday. He's faced the Braves three times this year, dominating them for a 1.65 ERA over three starts, allowing three earned runs on 19 hits and one walk while striking out 21 in 16 1/3 innings pitched.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin took advantage of a favorable matchup in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Marlins. Corbin pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. The 35-year-old veteran has put together a modest three-game win streak in which he has allowed three total runs in 17 2/3 IP with 22 strikeouts. However, he still owns a poor 5-12 record on the season with a 5.41 ERA, a 1.52 WHIP, and a 7.12 K/9 rate in 28 starts and 153 IP. His next start will be another favorable one at the Pirates, but fantasy managers may want to avoid starting him given his low floor.

Washington Nationals outfield prospect Dylan Crews is once again in the leadoff spot as the Nationals continue a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs. The Nationals have slotted their former second-overall pick to the top of the lineup in each of the past three games. In his first two games at the big league level, he batted in the two and the seven-hole. The LSU product has tallied a hit in all but one of his first four big league games and sits with an overall .313/.353/.813 line. He has gone deep twice and swiped one bag. Fantasy managers should check their waiver wire to make sure Crews is not available, as he is shaping up to be a league-winner down the stretch. DFS players should consider putting the 22-year-old into their lineup as he will face Chicago right-hander Javier Assad, who allowed six hits and three earned runs in his previous start.

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Yankees, but his most impressive feat was that he stole three bases in the contest. The 21-year-old now has 11 steals on the season through 51 games played, and while he's been streaky with the bat, overall he's been solid, slashing .280/.377/.430 with a .355 wOBA and a 130 wRC+. He could be a difference-maker in the fantasy playoffs and is still available in more than 25% of Yahoo leagues. Either way, the Nationals' outlook is bright in the outfield with Wood and Dylan Crews looking like future fantasy superstars.