The Cubs return to Washington, D.C., for a series that looks nothing like their opening day matchup. Back in March, the Nationals took two of three games at Wrigley Field. Now, both rosters have shifted dramatically. The Cubs have locked up a postseason spot and still chase a division title. The Nationals, once stuck below .500, sold off players at the deadline but found new life.
Sam Sallick from Federal Baseball notes that the Nationals are a very different team than the one that opened the season. Only two bullpen members remain from the original squad. Joey Wiemer, who dominated the Cubs early on, is gone. His rise and fall happened over just six weeks. Despite these changes, Washington remains on the edge of the playoff race.
A Bullpen Rebuilt From Scratch
The Nationals suffered a selloff at the trade deadline, losing Luis Garcia Jr., Curtis Mead, and Foster Griffin. They gave up past pieces to get help for the near future. The bullpen was a public disaster all season, but new faces have fixed it. Yovanny Cruz, Will Dion, and Jake Bird arrived in deadline trades and looked sharp against the Reds. According to Paul Toboni of Federal Baseball, this is the best the bullpen has looked all year.
Washington swept the Reds to get back into the fight. They had lost seven straight games right before that win. The turnaround is sudden but real. The Cubs will face a team that just secured its first sweep since April. That momentum matters more than the roster turnover.
Offense Shifts Without Its Top Star
James Wood sits on the injured list with a mild oblique strain. He is the most fearsome hitter in this elite Nationals offense. His absence is a huge blow, yet the lineup remains dangerous. Rookie Abimelec Ortiz has stepped into Luis Garcia’s shoes and looked very good. Andres Chaparro has also stepped up, making the first base platoon a threat.
CJ Abrams has been tremendous for the Nationals all year. Other hot bats include Daylen Lile and the resurgent Keibert Ruiz. The offense is more than just Wood. Losing the league leader in slugging usually hurts a team deeply. The Nationals have proven they can score without their biggest name.
On the mound, the Cubs will likely see Jackson Kent make his debut. He is the top left-handed pitching prospect for Washington. Kent is a funky lefty with an average heater and a great changeup. He also has solid breaking balls and good command. The Nationals are very high on his potential. This series pits a veteran Cubs team against a surprising, young squad. The Cubs must stay focused after their recent road success. They have not lost back-to-back games since July. A loss here would break that streak.
The game in Washington follows a trip to Kansas City. It is the first time the Cubs play there after stopping in Kansas City earlier this season. The team has shown it can win on the road, but the Nationals are riding high. Fans should expect a tight contest between two teams with playoff hopes.
Sources: Bleed Cubbie Blue (SBN Cubs)
