Game of the Week: September 28: WAS @ COL

[Commissioner Erick]

Washington Nationals (85-71) @ Colorado Rockies (69-87)


WAS: Kyle Hurt (10-8, 5.09)
COL: Roland Lemon (2-2, 6.82)


Nationals 5 Key Stats:


12: Nationals wins in the last 25 games. Washington has played mediocre baseball while the Braves have surged, forcing Washington to try to rally from two back in the Wild Card hunt.

9: Hits allowed by Kyle Hurt to Colorado two starts ago. Hurt issued 7 runs in 4.1 innings, giving up three home runs. Hurt will have to be better to help the Nationals salvage a Wild Card berth.

$31.8 million: The number of Nationals Merchandise sold this year. Washington continues to be a hit in the sporting goods stores with Mike Trout and Bryce Harper jerseys a best seller. Only the Chicago Cubs have moved more merchandise.

.249: Mike Trout’s Batting Average. Trout has had wildly divergent averages the past four seasons: .220, .268, .326, and .249. Trout’s inconsistent play has led to inconsistent Washington performances.

4.8: Bryce Harper’s WAR: Unless he gets 0.3 WAR the final six games of the season, he’ll have his lowest WAR of his career. He had 5.1 WAR in 2018, but only played in 91 games and narrowly missed an MVP that went to Joey Gallo.


Rockies 5 Key Stats:

53: Ronald Lemon’s prospect rating last season: Lemon debuted this year and has a 6.62 ERA in 35.1 innings.

5.33: Zack Burdi’s ERA. Burdi has walked 23 and allowed 8 homers in 52.1 innings.

.490: David Dahl’s OPS in September. Dahl has had a strong season, but is hitting just .200 in September without a home run. Dahl’s OPS is down to .813.

13: Home Runs for Jasrado Chisholm, 22 fewer than how many he hit in 2025. Chisholm’s Batting Average is similar to what it was last year, but his power is way down, which has hurt the bottom of Colorado’s lineup.

.182: Dan Jennings’ Batting Average Against by left-handed hitters. Righties have hit .360 off Jennings, but he’s really handled lefties. He may play a big role against Bryce Harper.


Questions for the GMs:


For Jake Pennel, your team had a really good stretch entering the month, but has had a disappointing month against a reasonable schedule. What’s been the culprit for your club’s poor play?

Paul Goldschmidt has been playing with a bad back that sapped his power. Will he play today?

How has Juan Soto been playing after his extended Jury Duty absence?

For Erick Blasco, how has Roland Lemon looked this season?

Will you be taking it easy today against the Nationals?

Have you learned anything about your team this season?



TRIVIA: Chris Devenski has pitched in the second most games in PBA history (to Alex Claudio). What position player has played in the second most games?

[Commissioner Erick]

For Erick Blasco, how has Roland Lemon looked this season?

He has an ERA over 6 and turned 27 this year so not great, but there are some extenuating circumstances. I tried to limit his service time, he's been hurt, he's been tugged between the rotation and the bullpen, all of these have limited his ability to be effective. Next year he'll almost certainly be in the rotation with Michael Fulmer missing the year and he'll get a long leash to be evaluated.

Will you be taking it easy today against the Nationals?

Nope. We don't have many prospects to try out so it'll be the full squad. Jake Burger and Rogelio Mendizibal will get the day off to get Trevor Story and Tom Murphy some National TV exposure for old-time's sake.

Have you learned anything about your team this season?

Yes. Don't assume past 80 percentile performances are the norm, and if you emphasize ground ball pitchers, build an above-average ground ball defense. Our defense killed us early in the year, and have particularly ruined Jairo Pacheco. Also, Ralph Porter, Jasrado Chisholm, and Brandon Boissiere had outlier seasons last year I expected to be the norm. We'll build a better defense in 2027 and won't assume Jake Burger will hit well over .300 next season.

[Commissioner Erick]

Rockies 3 - Nationals 2


WP: B. Finnegan (4-4)
LP: O. Lara (4-3)


The Colorado Rockies picked up a win at Coors Field, knocking off the Washington Nationals, 3-2. On the mound for Colorado was right-hander Roland Lemon, who played a pivotal role in the win. Colorado reliever Brandon Finnegan picked up the win, upping his record to 4-4. Omar Lara shouldered the loss. The Nationals, now 85-72, have lost 4 straight.

Ralph Porter was the walk-off hero for Colorado. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Rockies right fielder hit a dramatic solo home run to send the teams home.

"This place sure got loud," said Erick Blasco, the Colorado manager.


Questions for the GMs:


For Jake Pennel, with only six games left, you gave Mike Trout the day off. Why?

Did you agree with your manager bot not pinch-hitting a right-hander for Chris J. Shaw and letting him bat against Brandon Finnegan.

Are you disappointed your team only put up two runs in Coors Field?

For Erick Blasco, with options abound, will Ralph Porter see time in the minors next year?

Any chance Jasrado Chisholm is resigned?

What are the plans for Tom Gunning next year. Is he blocked by Nolan Arenado?

Do you expect Jake Bauers to regress next year?

Which coaches are on the hot seat?


TRIVIA: Which pitcher has the most all-time Nationals strikeouts?

[Commissioner Erick]

Daniel correctly guessed Eric Pena

[Commissioner Erick]

For Erick Blasco, with options abound, will Ralph Porter see time in the minors next year?

Almost no chance. Porter had an awful season, but he still profiles as a major slugger with good patience, speed, and defense. I think it'll be a hard task for him to repeat such a dreadful season. I may give him more time on the bench for a right-hander to hit righties, but that at least leaves Porter on the bench.

Any chance Jasrado Chisholm is resigned?

Virtually none. I'm likely going to lose budget and I need to get better defensively. Chisholm has been a good player for us, but we will need to move on and find a better defender.

What are the plans for Tom Gunning next year. Is he blocked by Nolan Arenado?

He is, and I don't think Arenado wants to leave Colorado. With my team needed a defensive-oriented Shortstop and more pitching talent, I'll likely use Gunning in a trade.

Do you expect Jake Bauers to regress next year?

Yeah, he had such a strong year and we've noticed fluke strong seasons never continue. We still expect him to be solid against righties though and predict to have depth options to replace him

Which coaches are on the hot seat?

None because we're likely going to lose budget and I can't waste money on coaches who aren't there. I may actually resign Yari de Beeld and Joe Mcewing to two-year contracts so my staff is on a similar timeline. If I need to move on from someone, I won't have to worry about bringing in new coaches that don't mesh with the current staff.