Nats Declare A’s Home Field A Nationals Park

The Nats declared the A’s home field a Nationals Park Friday after Washington scored a franchise-record 23 runs on 21 hits and handed the lowly Athletics their tenth straight loss. With a score like 23-4, Nats seem more than ready for football season. Same Nats, same. How early is too early to draft Kyle Pitts. Asking for a friend. Back to baseball, leading the charge for Washington was good old chap, Andres Chaparro who really kicked off the slug fest with a 470 footer (!) to make the score 6-2. The fourth longest home run in Washington Expos history and the longest since Bryce Harper’s 475 footer in 2018! Two innings later AC sent another one over the fence for his third homer of the year and seventeenth Nats run of the game! If you feel bad for the A’s at this point, you shouldn’t. They chose this park. Blame John Fisher. Chaparro added two additional singles in the rout which gave him a four hit, two homer, eight RBI night. He had tallied just one home run and seven RBI in 31 games this season heading into yesterday. Way to pad the stats, bro! Have a day! But Andres was not alone, Curtis Mead chipped in four hits of his own, including three doubles for a career high in extra base hits in a game. Mead has been a Razzball favorite all year, and he’s putting together the greatest season for an Australian player in ever, slashing .257/.348/.517 with 17 home runs. Crikey! Curtis is also batting an unreal .439/.500/.829 in July with a 1.329 OPS! Sweet sassy molassy! If that’s not making his case to be an everyday player loud and clear I don’t know what it will take. Heard, Curtis! Regardless of his platoon status, he needs to be owned everywhere at this point. Other highlights from this massacre included Harry Ford’s first career home run and Daylen Lile adding his 11th jack and four RBI. It was a tough day for the homeless A’s, whose losing ways continue through the break, and it’s hard for them to look at this game as anything other than a Nationals embarrassment.

Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:

Gage Jump – 3.2 IP, 4 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. After starts like this, might as well Jump. Hmm. OK. So we can’t start you at home anymore. Noted.

Cade Cavalli – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 6th win. Well, Cade didn’t seem to have any issues with this wittle baby bawlpawk? The breakout is on, CC: Ace marker, but don’t forget the A’s were missing their flame, their muse, big thumper, big Amish, smorgasboarder Nick Kurtz, and the lineup looking pretty sorry without him. I have got to stop picking the A’s.

Gerrit Cole – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, BB, 8 K, 5th L. Gerrit looked like the old King Cole for the first six innings of this start. Mr. Manager Boone tried to push his luck, but Cole could not make it through six and a third. Fully rested bullpen, too? That’s not very good Mr. Managing IMHO. Still, almost everything else about this start was encouraging for Cole, so let’s not drag him for not keeping the Dodgers off the board for seven innings, they’re pretty good at baseball.

Roki Sasaki – 5.2 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, BB, 5 K. Roki Dokie looked dangerous in this start. His fastball was averaging triple digits, and he threw several fastballs over 102, a career best for him. And the slider? Fuhgeddaboudit. Untouchable. Just filthy stuff. Maybe the Yankees haven’t quite shaken off the stank, even if they have the 2026 ASG MVP, but when Sasaki’s got his entire arsenal working like he did Friday, he looks like one of the best arms in the game. He gets the Mets next week, and that’s A-Roki in my book.

Tanner Scott – 1.0 IP, K, SV (14). He’s looking like the best version of himself, must be all those self help TikToks. With Edwin Diaz looking nasty out on a rehab assignment, does Mr. Manager Roberts hand Edwin the keys to the ninth upon return or do they split the job? I don’t know!

Braden Montgomery – 1-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBI, SB (1). We got some post-prospect hype! How about a first career triple, but can you throw a steal in there? Sure! Now that this lineup is stacked with Munetakas and Teels and Vargas’s some of the pressure is off Braden to reach those lofty prospect heights. He could be in for a huge second half!

Sam Antonacci – 2-for-5, 2 runs, HR (7), 2 RBI. The Sammy slammy to cap a five run inning. Antonacci is slashing .289/.382/.430 leading off for the first place White Sox. That’s a better slash than JJ Wetherholt and Kevin McGonigle by the way. He’s also hit six of his seven bombs in the past two months. Can someone start the Antonacci ROY campaign already?

Chris Sale – 7.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB. 6 K, 10th win, ERA at 2.06. This certainly looks like a pitcher who needs 15 runs of support to win.

Drake Baldwin – 3-for-4, 2 runs, HR (16), 5 RBI. He has not been the same since his return from the IL, with just two homers since his return in mid-June. But the break has a way of resetting us all, and Drake added this Shebang Friday night and was responsible for the Bravos first five runs of the game. It’s all God’s Plan for Drake.

Matt Olson – 2-for-3, 2 runs, HR (26), RBI. I feel like we aren’t talking enough about how good he’s been. Are we avoiding a jinx? He’s got six homers in July already, and if he’s ever gonna get to 50 again, he’s in prime position to do so this year.

Austin Riley – 2-for-5, 2 runs, HR (10). He’s still floating, though? It seems kind of sus? What if someone sees him from the shore? Maybe if we stuff rocks in his pockets and mouth, he would sink to the bottom? Then I don’t have to look at him and his 110 strikeouts in the face an–wait a minute, Riley moved! He’s alive!

Sandy Alcantara – 6.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, 4 BB, 7 K, ERA at 3.90. The fastball has lost a tick, and he’s not whiffing like he was in his Cy Young year, but Sandy’s Not-So Cheeks is still a horse that would make Golden Tempo neigh neigh. His eighth quality start since June 1st, and he’s gone 5+ innings in 13 straight starts! Thank you sir may I have another!

Logan Henderson – 5.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, 4 K. Left the start early with a forearm cramp, and Mr. Manager said it was precautionary. Outside of the injury scares, Logan was sailing, not quite berserker mode, but Marlins could not touch him, and despite his dominance, he left in the sixth after throwing just 73 pitches. I will hold off on panicking because my therapist says it’s not productive.

Bailey Ober – 5.1 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 7th win. He fools me Ober and Ober again, but not this time! Although he is lined up to face either the Guards or A’s next week. Don’t make me add! But ooh those matchups are juicy. Maybe if I just added him for a sec…

Yoendrys Gomez – 1.0 IP, BB, K, SV (12). Ownership numbers don’t tell us much of anything this late in the season, but Yoendrys at just 10% owned seems like an issue we need to correct. He’s a closer, cuh!

Brady Singer – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 6 K, 4th win. I’m not a Singer of praises for Brady, unless he’s a Tom, but this start was at Coors so you get brownie points for that.

Elly De La Cruz – 4-for-5, 2 runs, HR (16). Elly of the Cross could be in for a monster second half and this is exactly how you come out of the break: four hits and a 430 footer. He’s slashing .347/.429/.592 with an 1.020 OPS. Last week I said I’m not ready to call the Reds a wagon, but oh boy are they close, and after a series at Coors they might force my hand, ehh, F-it! I think possibly, maybe, feasibly, potentially, conceivably, perchance, the Reds could be a wagon, y’all!?

Spencer Steer – 2-for-4, 2 HR (16), 3 RBI, slashing .250/.330/.441. Went back-to-back with Eugenio Suarez (2-for-4, HR (12)) in the fifth then added an inside- the-parker just for funsies. Speaking of little league home runs, what’d we think of the Sandlot tribute in the derby with the bikes and the fireworks? Am I the only one who got unreasonably emotional? Yes? Ok fine but remember the Field of Dreams game they did in Iowa, why not do a Sandlot game? Am I attaching nostalgia to a movie that’s not even all that good to begin with? Probably. But hey, I think it’d be fun! The ballparks are one of the most interesting parts about the sport so whenever they want to play in a funky one whether it’s in Iowa or Vegas or on the moon, I’ll be watching.

Vinnie Pasquantino – 1-for-4, 2 runs, SB (4). Hey, speaking of players that could be in for a huge second half, leave me the home runs, you can take the cannolis.

Carter Jensen – 3-for-5, 2 RBI. The Royals hit three straight dinky singles to come back, and the KC native walks it off for his first career game winner. That’s 50 RBI for the rookie catcher, and am I crazy to put him in the ROY convo as well? I just did! He’s now in the convo!

Alex Lange – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, ER, BS (1). He was an out from the save before giving up a solo shot to Ty France. The Alex Lange closer experiment may have ended Friday night, but luckily for him Lucas Erceg (1.0 IP, 2 hits, ER, 4th win) was not much more inspiring, but he did manage to notch the dub.

Mason Miller – 1.0 IP, 2 hits, BB, 3 K. Absolute cheese. But only after loading the bases to make it dramatic. Fair enough. They have a flair for the dramatic in LA. If the Dodgers go out and trade for him I will L so L.

Peter Lambert – 6.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, 3 BB, 10 K. Are we seeing a breakout from Peter Lambert? The ten strikeouts tied a career high, and he’s quietly one of the hottest little potatoes in the game. He’s 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA in July, along with a 23/5 K/BB, and opponents are hitting just .145 off him. Actually, opponents are hitting just .197 off him for the year! More like Peter Lionbert! Right!? *dodges tomato* He’s kind of the Ace of this Stros staff at the moment, and he gets the Marlins next week. I could see considering the prospect of maybe thinking about mulling over the possibility of contemplating whether or not I should review the option of potentially picking him up. I still don’t know for sure, though! Who am I kidding? This dude should be owned everywhere by now!

Tyler Wells – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, BB, K, SV (3). Andrew Kittredge got the last two saves, and now it’s Tyler’s turn. They appear to be sharing the job, but maybe Wells getting the ninth here with Kittredge in the eighth could be telling. It’s just unclear what it’s telling us at this time.

Taylor Ward – 1-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI. He hit 36 homers last year, what happened, bro!? You miss the Angels that bad? I’m sure you can go back. This team’s supposed to be better. They’ve won five in a row don’t ask me how. Still, you owe me 20 home runs, at least!

Gunnar Henderson – 0-for-4. My relationship with Gunnar is so toxic at this point I just assume he’s going 0-for-4 every night. That would actually be a good night. It’s the 0-for-5s that really cut to the core of me. He homers once a week if I’m lucky, he doesn’t steal anymore ever, and I am just waiting for him to get slightly hot enough so I can trade him for 10 cents on the dollar, but no one in their right mind would or does want him.

Troy Melton – 5.2 IP, 4 hits, ER, 4 BB, 9 K. I’ve done nothing but want to move on and drop him since I’ve added him months ago, and he’s done nothing but perform. At least a month ago the strikeouts were suspect, but now he’s got 26 Ks over his past three starts. The Big Tuna is also rocking pristine ratios 1.80 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and opps hitting just .170 off him! I’ll stop the world to Melton with you, Troy! Keep it up!

Reid Detmers – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K. This was his best start in about a month. It’s wild how good he is when he’s on, but he can just go off the rails so quick. Talk about a guy who needs a change of scenery, but you could say that for literally everybody on the Angels.

Kirby Yates – 0.1 IP, 1 hit, 2 ER, BB, 5th L. Things were going so good for Yates we knew this wasn’t going to end well. It wasn’t a Jordan Romano style implosion, but hitting the first batter with a pitch is definitely not ideal for a closer.

Tim Tawa – 2-for-4, HR (4). This is one of the most difficult posts for me to write all year–what like it’s hard? No, I mean cause I can’t report on any streaks since the break ruins everything. Don’t get me wrong, we all need the break. That All Star game was very, uh, let’s say tranquil. Low-key. No, not boring, just peaceful. Sometimes action muddles up the experience I just want to drink 10 beers and pass out while the game is on. That’s summer baseball, folks. How can you not get romantic about that, Brad Pitt? Oh, where was I, Tawa has homered in three of his past four through the break, so he might be hot, it’s hard to say.

JJ Wetherholt – 2-for-4, HR (14). The Wetherholt forecast calls for THUNDER! I think J.J.’s power makes him the ROY favorite here, he also leads all rookies with 59 runs scored. Not under the Wetherholt!

Riley O’Brien – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, BB, K, SV (25). He’s got 11 saves  (ELEVEN) since June 1st and blown just one game in that stretch. R.O.B. has literally been one of the best adds of the year, he’s tied with Mason Miller for the league lead and only Cade Smith has more saves. Highway ROBbery!

Landen Roupp – 7.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 7th win. This start was a no-brainer, kind of like his fun little Pride protest. He stumbled a bit in May and June with a seven loss stretch, but has rebounded in July with back to back wins and quality starts. He’s gone 7+ in each of his July starts and get the Royals next week. Roupp di do!

Bryce Miller – 5.2 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, BB, 6 K. B-Ryce looked great through five innings before allowing a 2-run bomb to Bryce Eldridge. Miller has been frustrating to own sure, but the 71/10 K/BB is elite and the ratios are still real nice at 2.27 ERA and a sub-1 WHIP. He’s given up more than three runs just once all year. Be patient and it will soon be Miller Time I hope.

Willy Adames – 1-for-5, HR (16) and the grand salami. Infielders like Willy are not Adames a dozen. What are the chances this guy gets traded? Or does his contract make him untradeable? I would think it’s the batting average that makes him untradeable but he’s always good for a hot stretch.

Griffin Jax – 5.0 IP, 8 hits, 7 ER, BB, 6 K, 7th L. This looks pretty rough, but he was actually very good through the majority of this start, and dare I say the Boston Red Sux are a buzz saw that no team wants any part of right now?

Anthony Seigler – 3-for-8, RBI. Eventually all the Quad-A players are probably going to catch up to Boston, but they can do no wrong right now. Siegs does not offer much in the way of power or speed, but he is leading off for the hottest team in baseball, and Boston is 11-1 with him leading off, so I don’t see that changing any time soon.

Caleb Durbin – 5-for-8, 2 runs, RBI. He has one less RBI than Bregman, and they are tied in home runs. He cooled off after a scorching June, but his bat may or may not be picking up again with 11 hits in his past seven games. He’s on his way to a respectable 18/18 season, which isn’t a Cy Young Kyle Harrison but respect to the Home Run Durbin for saving his season when things looked very bleak.

Wilyer Abreu – 3-for-8, 2 runs, 2 HR (13), 3 RBI. Wilyer or Wontyer! He Wilyer!

Junior Caminero – 3-for-8, HR (29). This is what 111 mph exit velo looks like. JuCam does not care about your winning streak as he makes his way to 50 home runs. That’s third most in the entire league, in case you care!

Willson Contreras – 1-for-4, HR (21). WC40 bombs in his return from his suspension. That was a Fenway special, too, not sure that’s a homer in any other ballpark. No wonder Willson likes it so much in Boston. How about that Derby, dawgs? Must see TV, right? Sure it was two hours too long but I can’t remember enjoying a HR Derby that much. It had everything: big stars, massive tanks, and drama till the last swing. I think Willson stepping up and playing the villain for the Philadelphia crowd from the get-go was a huge part of what made it so entertaining. Nothing like loud boos from the crowd as Contreras sends 500 foot dongs sailing into the upper deck, grinning the whole time. Also, Barry Bonds was there! And don’t get me started on Jordan Walker star-is-born moment. I loved it all! More like this @MLB!

Jake Bennett – 6.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, BB, 3 K, 5th win. Where have you Bennett all my life, Jake? Have I mentioned the Red Sox are the hottest team in baseball, winning their eleventh game in a row Friday night? I have? Well, it’s been a rough year so let me have this one week. The best pitcher in the best starting rotation in baseball hasn’t been Sonny Gray or Payton Tolle, and definitely not Garrett Crochet, it’s been Jake Bennett! Over the past month, Jake is 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 25 strikeouts to just four walks. You may be thinking that 6.37 K/9 is a tad worrisome and certainly not fantasy viable but JB allows just 82.2 mph average exit velocity. In other words, he’s consistently getting weak contact and he’s been untouchable.  Take a look at that baseball savant page. *swoons* The advanced stats back it all up, too: 2.94 xERA, .232 BABIP, and that 4.4% BB%!? Sorry doggos, but Bennett does not walk anyone. He’s got a 2.35 ERA through his first nine career starts and Jake could be a league winning add, folks. The most impressive thing about his six inning shut out of the first place Tampa Rays is he did it with just 65 pitches! Let the Cliff Lee comps commence! For goodness sake, or goodness Jake! This kid’s gonna be a star! Ha-cha-cha!

Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!