The Nationals host Opening Day on Thursday at 4:05 p.m. ET against the Phillies. After that, there are 161 regular-season games to be played as they look to improve on consecutive 71-91 finishes. Let¡¯s look ahead at key topics that could impact the Nats in their 20th anniversary season.
What needs to go right? Young talents produce
This is a key moment the Nationals have been building toward in their new chapter. Outfielders Dylan Crews, 23, and James Wood, 22, are playing in their first Major League seasons, joining All-Star CJ Abrams, 24; Silver Slugger Award finalist Luis Garc¨ªa Jr., 24; and Gold Glove Award finalist Jacob Young, 25. On the mound, MacKenzie Gore, 26, gets his first Opening Day nod and Jose A. Ferrer, 25, is likely to see save opportunities. The Nats added veterans such as Josh Bell, Nathaniel Lowe, Amed Rosario and Paul DeJong to provide experienced leadership to the young core in the clubhouse and on the field.
Great unknown: RHP Michael Soroka
Soroka returns to the starting rotation after spending time in the White Sox bullpen last season re-establishing his production. Soroka, 27, comes to Washington with a career 17-18 record and a 3.67 ERA. Last season, he posted a 2.75 ERA and recorded 15.0 strikeouts per nine innings in the bullpen. Soroka battled his walk rate toward the end of Spring Training, but he emphasized a refusal to be complacent in his opportunity back in the rotation.
Team MVP will be: James Wood
Wood offered a 79-game glimpse into his Major League potential after he reached the bigs last season. In that sample size, he slugged nine home runs and 41 RBIs, and he paired his speed to record 13 doubles, four triples and 14 stolen bases. Wood also ranked fourth in the NL with 54 batted balls that recorded an exit velocity over 105 mph from his July 1 debut to the end of the season. Wood demonstrated his opposite-field power in Spring Training, and he belted four homers in 16 games.
Team Cy Young will be: LHP MacKenzie Gore
Gore is building off a 2024 season in which he ranked fifth among NL pitchers in home runs per nine innings and seventh in strikeouts per nine innings. He improved his ERA to 3.90 and led the Nats with 181 strikeouts, an increase of 30 from the previous season. Gore pitched to a 2.76 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings during four Spring Training outings. He earned his first honor as Opening Day starter.
Bold prediction: Orlando Ribalta leads bullpen in innings pitched
Last season, Derek Law accumulated a head-turning 90 innings out of the bullpen. Law ended camp sidelined by right arm soreness, and the team is likely to watch his workload. So who will be the most called upon this season? Ribalta (No. 30 prospect) impressed in Spring Training and showed a notable improvement from his rookie performance. Last year, Ribalta posted a 13.50 ERA in four appearances (3 1/3 innings). This spring, he looked ready for a full season in the Majors with a 1.88 ERA in 14 1/3 innings (nine appearances).