Rockies vs Nationals predictions
Looking at the Colorado Rockies lineup for this matchup, I think Hunter Goodman remains the big bat to watch. He’s been consistently posting solid numbers at the plate, and I see him picking up another hit, possibly launching one deep given his knack for homers this year. Ryan McMahon, too, feels due for one of those multi-hit games, especially with his tendency to work counts and draw walks—though expect him to strike out at least once, since that’s been a Rockies theme lately. It’ll be interesting to watch Brenton Doyle and Jordan Beck try to spark some life on the basepaths, but with how the team has struggled to generate offense, I’m expecting just one or two extra-base hits from the group as a whole. On the mound, Carson Palmquist might face some trouble; I wouldn’t be surprised if the Nats force him to labor through five innings, tagging him for a few runs along the way.
Switching gears to the Washington Nationals, this could be a prime opportunity for their bats to break out at home. James Wood has been smashing the ball lately, and I’d count on him adding to his home run and RBI totals in this one—his confident plate approach should put him in good run-producing spots all night. CJ Abrams is another name who could make some noise, likely getting on base a couple times and maybe even swiping a bag if he gets the chance. Keep an eye on Josh Bell as well—I like his chances for a couple of RBIs, especially if the Rockies give him a pitch to handle with runners on. And then there’s Jake Irvin, who’s been quietly steady; if he can keep his walks down and ride his usual strikeout rate, he could easily put the Nationals in the driver’s seat by the time the bullpens get involved.
Putting it all together, this just feels like a spot where the Washington Nationals can snap out of their home funk. The Rockies’ struggles on the road and lack of offensive punch are hard to ignore, and if the Nats get any kind of early lead, I expect them to protect it. Washington’s mix of power and speed gives them an edge here, and while the Rockies have a few players who could make things interesting, the overall matchup tilts in favor of the home team. I’m calling this one for the Nationals—they’ve got the lineup and the pitching to finally turn things around at Nationals Park.
