Nats Visit Yankees in New York as Crews Era Sparks Momentum
Washington Nationals head to the Bronx with a renewed edge after a 5-5 finish on a 10-game NL East road swing and a dramatic comeback in Philadelphia. Since Dylan Crews returned to the lineup, Washington has shown not only more wins but tighter losses, with just one blowout in 10 games against two of the division’s top teams. Now they’ll look to carry that momentum into a three-game set against the New York Yankees, who have stumbled a bit in August but still boast one of the league’s most potent offenses.
The Yankees’ offense centers around Aaron Judge, who, despite a slower run of results since returning from injury, remains the anchor of the lineup. Judge posted a .690 OPS over his last seven games and an .813 OPS over his last 30, a mark that stands in sharp contrast to the season-long pace he’s set in most years. Washington has tended to limit Judge’s damage in recent history, holding him to a .226 batting average with four homers in 16 career games against the Nats, including three blasts in a single game in August 2023. Beyond Judge, four other qualified hitters sit with OPSs above .800, providing a balanced, dangerous lineup. Trent Grisham is among them, delivering four homers and a .956 OPS over his past seven games.
Despite losing ace Gerrit Cole to a season-ending injury, the Yankees’ starting staff has still been a strength, ranking 10th in MLB with a 3.84 starters’ ERA. Max Fried, who tops the rotation at a 3.14 ERA, anchors the group along with Carlos Rodon. Young arms such as Will Warren, Clarke Schmidt, and Cam Schlittler have supplied quality innings, while the bullpen has been bolstered at the trade deadline with David Bednar and Camilo Doval, reinforcing a unit that has allowed manageable numbers despite occasional rough outings.
Nationals notes and matchups ahead of the series:
– Team profile: Washington ranks with an OPS of .782, leading the AL and MLB in neither category, but finding production through multiple contributors. Aaron Judge holds the team’s OPS lead at 1.108 and is also the HR leader with 40.
– Nats rotation highlights: Brad Lord anchors Monday’s game for Washington, carrying a 3.46 ERA over 96.1 innings this season. He’s been steadily reliable, entering his toughest test against a potent Yankees lineup. Cam Schlittler will start for New York in the opener, having impressed early in his big-league tenure with throwback stamina and a recent string of solid starts.
– Tuesday’s matchup: MacKenzie Gore returns to the mound for Washington after quality outings against the Giants and Phillies, though his last start against the Mets included a four-walk outing. Luis Gil, a former Rookie of the Year winner on the rise for New York, looks to extend his recent stretch of five-inning outings.
– Wednesday’s finale: Cade Cavalli toes the rubber for Washington, eyeing a finish similar to his strong 2025 debut against the Phillies. He’ll face Max Fried, a familiar opponent from his Atlanta days, looking to maintain his control and rhythm against a Yankees lineup that has shown big power.
Game schedule (local times):
– Game One – Monday at 7:05 PM EST
Washington: RHP Brad Lord (4-6)
New York: RHP Cam Schlittler (1-2)
– Game Two – Tuesday at 7:05 PM EST
Washington: LHP MacKenzie Gore (5-12)
New York: RHP Luis Gil (1-1)
– Game Three – Wednesday at 1:05 PM EST
Washington: RHP Cade Cavalli (1-0)
New York: LHP Max Fried (13-5)
What to watch
– Crews’ impact: Since returning, Crews has injected a new sense of urgency and competitiveness into Washington’s lineup. Expect him to be a focal point as the Nationals push to keep games close and score in bunches.
– Judge vs. Nats: Judge has been the focal point of the Yanks’ offense; how Washington pitches him, and how the rest of the lineup supports him, will influence the series’ tempo.
– Nats’ pitching depth: Washington will rely on a mix of veterans and young arms in a road-heavy stretch. If they can limit free passes and sustain bullpen depth, they can contest a lineup that can break a game open quickly.
Summary
The Nationals come to Yankee Stadium riding momentum from Crews’ return and a resilient stretch against strong NL East competition. They’ll face a Yankees club that remains dangerous atop a powerful lineup and a capable pitching staff, even without Gerrit Cole. If Washington can capitalize on the Yankees’ recent misfires and keep the game’s pace tight, they could steal a win or two on the road and continue building toward the late-season push.
Overall outlook
The preview leans toward a competitive series with a likelihood of tight, low-scoring games given pitchers on both sides and the Nationals’ recent knack for keeping outcomes close. If the Nats execute their game plan and avoid giving in to big innings, they have a legitimate chance to edge a few tight contests against a powerful, but sometimes imperfect Yankees squad.