Nationals @ Cubs, Game 3

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Thanks to friends old and new who participated by viewing or posting.

With the posted, we honor the memory of our friend Old Chelsea with the traditional post that tracks the Nats wins to date, in Anglophile style.

THE RACING PRECEDENTS - Comparative dates on which the Nationals notched their second win, each season:

2026 - 29th March - (3rd match of the season)
2018 - 31st March (2nd match)
2008 - 31st March (2nd match)
2014 - 2nd April (2nd match)
2013 - 3rd April (2nd match)
2024 - 4th April (5th match)
2019 - 4th April (5th match)
2017 - 5th April (2nd match)
2025 - 5th April (8th match)
2016 - 6th April (2nd match)
2012 - 7th April (2nd match)
2005 - 7th April (3rd match)
2011 - 7th April (6th match)
2023 - 7th April (8th match)
2006 - 8th April (5th match)
2010 - 10th April (5th match)
2022 - 11th April (5th match)
2015 - 12th April (6th match)
2021 - 12th April (7th match)
2007 - 12th April (10th match)
2009 - 20th April (12th match)
2020 - 29th July (6th match)

Note: from 2012-2018, the Nats started 2-0 every year except 2015. 2026 is the second time the Nats had their 2nd win in game 3 (2005).

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Observations from Golden's game wrap:
https://www.thebanner.com/sports/nationals-mlb/nationals-cubs-game-3-joey-wiemer-ZXT36SF5ARBC3BNJJ7YSNBHV3I/

Wiemer is the first player in franchise history to reach base in his first eight career plate appearances with the club. That’s also tied for the most consecutive plate appearances reaching base to begin a tenure dating to 1961
...
This offseason, Irvin altered his delivery and attempted to regain his velocity after he couldn’t sustain it last year. On Sunday, Irvin’s average fastball velocity was 93.6 mph; last season, it was 92.4 mph.

Irvin effectively mixed six pitches, and the Cubs didn’t have many answers. He stayed ahead in counts and finished with seven strikeouts.

Sam Sallick at Federal Baseball quotes Zuck and notes this is the first opening series the Nats have won since 2018.

Irvin was a victim of the wind when he gave up back to back homers in the fourth. Outside of that, the Nats big righty was in command. His four seam fastball velocity was up over a tick from where it was last year and that paid off for him. Irvin got four whiffs on ten swings against the four seamer and hitters had trouble reacting to the pitch.

He got into a lot of deep counts, which meant he threw 93 pitches through five innings. However, the righty did his job and looked very sharp. Last season, Irvin only struck out 6.20 batters per nine innings, but today he fanned seven in five frames. The long ball will always be an issue for him, but his stuff looks more in line with how it did in 2024.

The Nats bullpen was also very good today. PJ Poulin, Gus Varland, Cionel Perez and Clayton Beeter combined to only allow one run in four innings. Varland was the best of the bunch today, showing off a dynamic fastball. The Nats may not have big names in the bullpen, but I think the unit will be better than expected.

https://www.federalbaseball.com/washington-nationals-analysis/89734/joey-wiemer-stays-perfect-washington-nationals-defeat-cubs-secure-series-win

[varoadking]

With the posted, we honor the memory of our friend Old Chelsea with the traditional post that tracks the Nats wins to date, in Anglophile style.

But the hasn't been posted... 

[Squab]

But the hasn't been posted... 

it has now!! 

[varoadking]

it has now!! 

Welcome back... 👍

[JCA-CrystalCity]

it has now!! 

well done!

[Squab]

well done!

ive still got it

[The Chief]

Had the game on in the background while hosting today, noticed a few squandered opportunities but overall nice to see they were able to establish an early lead and hold onto it.

[nats2playoffs]

Advanced computer analysis now suggests:
the Washington Nationals record will be
108 wins and 54 losses for the season.

[skippy1999]

Advanced computer analysis now suggests:
the Washington Nationals record will be
108 wins and 54 losses for the season.

Sounds about right

[Count Walewski]

I guess I should learn who this Wiemer guy is. I have thousands of posts on a Nationals fan forum and I feel I heard his name for the first time in my life when he was announced as part of the OD lineup.

[The Chief]

I guess I should learn who this Wiemer guy is. I have thousands of posts on a Nationals fan forum and I feel I heard his name for the first time in my life when he was announced as part of the OD lineup.

If it makes you feel any better most of these names are new to me and I created the site

[blue911]

If it makes you feel any better most of these names are new to me and I created the site

I doubt if their own mothers recognize half of these guys