Monday morning Q&A
Answering your questions about the Nationals at the one-quarter mark of the 2026 season
Can you believe we’re already one-quarter of the way through the 2026 season? Time flies when you’re having fun, huh?
We’ve learned a lot about these Nationals through 41 games. They’ve made real strides from an offensive standpoint. They’ve slowly but surely appeared to get their pitching together. And they continue to hurt themselves on defense and on the bases. They are simultaneously outperforming expectations at 19-22 and underperforming what they could be if they just cleaned up a few things.
With the team enjoying its third straight Monday off, but about to embark on another long stretch of 16 scheduled game days without a break, let’s take this opportunity to evaluate how things have gone to this point, and where they could be going from here.
If you’re a paid subscriber and you’ve got something you’d like to ask, here’s your chance. Just type it up in the comments section, then check back throughout the morning for my replies. I’ll do my best to answer as many as I can, but no promises if there are too many to keep up with!
The Athletic has a fan poll last week where 80% of fans want the Lerners to sell and a vast majority are upset with the gameday experience at Nationals Park.
There has been a large drop in attendance thus far so it appears people are starting to vote with their wallets.
Do you get the sense that anyone in the organization is aware of how bad fan sentiment is now? It doesn’t seem healthy long term.
They must have some idea that their game day product just isn’t where it needs to be both on and off the field.
Hi Mark!
Two quick questions. One, how much time does Joey Wiemer have on the major league roster? He’s barely in the lineup and his pinch running gaffe on Saturday didn’t help his case.
Two, what’s your sense on when/if Dylan Crews could be back?
Thanks!