WASHINGTON – The Nationals’ final game of the 2026 season embodied a characteristic first-year manager Blake Butera has lauded.
Trailing 4-1 in the second inning, the Nationals fought back to tie the game in the third, and Andrés Chaparro hit his second homer of the day to put them on top for a 6-4 victory in the season finale on Sunday afternoon.
The Nationals finished September 11-11 and came from behind to win 33 times this season.
“I’m most proud of the resilience of this group,” Butera said pregame. “It's been pretty amazing.”
The Nationals entered the 2026 season with the uncertainty of change. A revamped front office, a new coaching staff and a young roster taking the next steps in its development. How would this all play out?
The Nationals made an 11-win improvement from 2025 and finished the season 77-85. It is their most wins since 2019.
“When [Ted Lasso] talks about being a goldfish, I feel like we have a bunch of goldfish in there,” said Butera. “And it makes it really fun for me when you don't have to wonder if they're going to come out flat the next day.”
A hungry young Nats team began the season exceeding many expectations. They beat the Cubs on Opening Day at Wrigley Field and swept the Brewers two weeks later in Milwaukee. Foster Griffin emerged as an All-Star starting pitcher and the offense clicked, initially leading the league in homers and runs scored. In late May, the Nationals rose above .500 for the first time since 2021.
But as the Trade Deadline approached, it became clear the Nationals would be sellers. The Nats dealt two of their top offensive producers, Luis García Jr. and Curtis Mead, as well as Griffin to acquire young players and prospects. And when James Wood strained his left oblique around the same time, the team faltered.
Still, amid the dip in offensive production and the mounting bullpen struggles that led to an all-time record in blown saves, the Nats fought.
“I think the amount of times you guys have asked, and I've wondered the same thing: You blow these tough leads, and the next day it's like, ‘Oh, we're up 2-0 in the second inning.’ How are these guys not like, ‘Enough's enough?’” Butera said. “The ability they've had to turn the page and come out the next day, it's almost like they just don't even know what happened.”
Looking ahead, the Nationals are encouraged by the strides they made this season.
A number of players set career highs. Wood and CJ Abrams became the first pair of Nationals players to hit 30 homers in a season since Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto in 2019. Nasim Nuñez set the team record in stolen bases.
On the pitching side, the organization extended ace Cade Cavalli (the entire team attended his press conference). On Saturday, Connelly Early returned from the IL to offer a glimpse of what he could contribute next season.
“Whenever we can exceed expectations from a player, those are the moments of the season that I'm proud of,” said Butera. “And I feel like there were a lot of those this year.”
A top priority this winter will be addressing the bullpen, which showed improvements toward the end of the season. The Nationals believe in the leadership qualities of many players on the roster, but a veteran presence remains a role they could possibly add in the offseason.
“I want to make sure they understand how important this offseason is going to be to reach each of their potentials,” said Butera. “We want all these guys to be the greatest they can possibly be, and that starts with these next four or five months. All that work, if we want to have a successful 2027 and so on, it starts as soon as these guys get back home preparing for next year.”