Brady House has two walks today. That's four walks in seven games. He is halfway to eight, which was his walk total in 73 games a season ago.

Kyle Tucker just launched a solo homer in the seventh inning. The Dodgers top four hitters (Ohtani, Tucker, Betts, Freeman) have all homered today. So has Andy Pages. 12-4 Dodgers.

Tough outing for Miles Mikolas, who allowed 11 hits and 10 runs. It's the fifth inning.

CJ Abrams just hit a RBI single that Dodgers second baseman Alex Freeland stopped before it got through the infield. But Daylen Lile never stopped running and scored from 2nd. 5-4 Dodgers in the third.

And now a two-run homer by Mookie Betts. It looked like Daylen Lile had a shot at it in left. He might have gotten his glove on it, but it fell out when he hit the wall.

Shohei Ohtani just launched his first home run of the season and this game is level at 3. Miles Mikolas threw a changeup that caught the heart of the plate. Tie ballgame.

CJ Abrams just launched a three-run homer for his second homer of the season. He watched it but it got out this time. Nationals lead 3-0. His two homers this season have been pitches away that he's pulled out. (Philly - left, LA - right)

Some loud cheers for Joey Wiemer during introductions.

More here on the Nationals partnering with Fox 5 DC to broadcast 10 games this season:

This is such an interesting, thoughtful read from @jessedougherty.bsky.social. Wouldn't expect anything less:

Ahead of the Nationals' home opener, I was asked to give my thoughts on the direction of the Nationals' franchise. I had a lot. On new ideas, new perspectives and an organization that is actually starting from scratch:

“We’re going to face those guys a lot throughout the year. It’s good to kind of get in those situations early … Just hope the outcome is different next time.” On the Nationals bullpen that couldn’t close out a series win:

J.T. Realmuto homered in the seventh. Bryce Harper homered to open the eighth. The Phillies are inching closer and it's 5-3.

Another hustle moment paying dividends: Daylen Lile extends the frame by beating out a grounder. Joey Wiemer singles. And then CJ Abrams launches a three-run homer. The Nationals lead 5-1. A major turn of events.

Drew Millas gets behind in the count 1-2, works it full, then drives in Jacob Young with a RBI single. The Nationals lead 2-1. Another great at-bat from Washington's hitters today.

Heck of a catch by Jacob Young with the bases loaded to keep this game tied. Cade Cavalli made sure to give him his props after the play. 1-1 through two.

A pair of really good at-bats from CJ Abrams and Jacob Young, who both worked from 0-2 counts to draw walks. Bases are loaded for Drew Millas and then back to the top.

After Trea Turner singled and stole second, Kyle Schwarber hit a sinking liner to center field. Bad news: Jacob Young dove for it but couldn't get there. Good news: Nice relay from the Nationals, starting with Joey Wiemer to get Schwarber out at 3rd. 1-0 Philly.

On PJ Poulin, the first Nationals’ opener in some time, and Washington’s 3-2 loss:

Here's what Blake Butera said tonight when @markzuckerman.bsky.social asked if the two missed ABS calls would alter the team's strategy moving forward:

FINAL: Phillies 3, Nationals 2. Washington used an opener. Zach Littell allowed a pair of homers. The Nationals offense outside of Daylen Lile struggled against Andrew Painter but showed life late.

Not sure James Wood will ever have another double like that. The ball bounced off Tanner Banks' ankle and rolled past Bryce Harper. Nasim Nuñez scored all the way from first and the Nationals trail 3-2.

The Nationals have talked a lot about being aggressive on the bases and putting pressure on the defense. CJ Abrams went 1st to 3rd on that Daylen Lile single. Adolis García tried to throw him out. The ball bounced off his helmet and into the camera well. Nats get a run back.

CJ Abrams singled and that'll end the night for Andrew Painter, who leaves to a standing ovation. The Nationals will attempt to claw back against the Phillies' bullpen.

Daylen Lile is 2 for 2 against Andrew Painter. The rest of the Nationals lineup is 1 for 16 with a walk.

Another two-out solo homer from the Phillies, this one from Adolis García. 2-0 Philadelphia through 4. Littell allowed the second most homers in the majors last season (36), behind only Jake Irvin.

Kyle Schwarber gets the Phillies on the board with a solo shot to right field. Sinker right down the middle from Littell. 1-0 Philadelphia, bottom 3.

The Nationals have no more challenges remaining and it's the middle of the 3rd inning.

PJ Poulin, the Nationals' opener, gets through the first inning unscathed. Kyle Schwarber struck out and a Bryce Harper flew out. Zack Littell is warming up in the visitors bullpen.

By the fourth inning of the Nationals 13-2 victory, the boos from the Phillies fans occurred so frequently that they sounded like a built-in stadium soundtrack. On an offensive outburst that resulted in 17 hits:

PJ Poulin will open tomorrow’s game against the Phillies.

FINAL: Nationals 13, Phillies 2. Washington finished with 17 hits. Foster Griffin was solid. The Nationals were hustling on the basepaths tonight. Good win all around.

Rafael Marchan just launched a two-run homer and the Phillies cut the Nationals lead to 7-2. Phillies fans have been booing the home team for most of the night. A different soundtrack for that homer.

Off the top of my head, the Nationals have extended the inning or scored runs three times thanks to hustle from baserunners out of the box tonight. Joey Wiemer in the first. Luis García Jr. and Brady House in the third. The Nationals are ahead 7-0.

The Nationals have eight hits and five runs through two innings. Not necessarily hard contact (one hit over 95+) but they're making Taijuan Walker work.

The Nationals are doing a great job of being patient and putting the ball in play. James Wood, who opened the game with a six-pitch walk, avoided a tag at home with a nice slide. CJ Abrams just tacked on a RBI single to score Luis García Jr. Washington leads 2-0.

Joey Wiemer, the NL MVP frontrunner, is batting ninth in today's lineup against Taijuan Walker.

Joey Wiemer had a historic series at Wrigley Field. He’s reached base in every at-bat in 2026. On Wiemer doing something that would’ve been unthinkable just a few months ago:

An interesting series of at-bats for the Nationals with the bases loaded. Nasim Nuñez challenged pitch 3 (upheld), then was rung up on pitch 6 but the Nats were out of challenges. Keibert Ruiz hit a sacrifice fly so the Nats do get a run there. 4-2 Washington.

Jake Irvin allowed back-to-back homers to Alex Bregman and Ian Happ and it's suddenly a 3-2 game. Irvin led the majors last season in home runs allowed. Bregman's would've been a homer in 5 parks. Happ's would've been a homer in 15 parks.

I wish I could do anything as casually as Jake Irvin catching a 101.6 mph liner sent right at him

Jake Irvin has been in a 0-2 or 1-2 count in every at-bat so far. The Cubs are making him work a bit but Irvin talked this spring about attacking hitters. He's showing it so far. 3-0 Nationals, top 3.

Before Joey Wiemer's at-bat, @spencernusbaum.bsky.social said he'd hit a homer with two runners on and two outs. The Nationals now lead 3-0.

Some Nationals transaction news: They’ve acquired utility player Curtis Mead from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for catcher Boston Smith. They also DFA’d left-handed pitcher Jake Eder to make room on the 40-man roster.

Some of the plays Nasim Nuñez can make are just ridiculous.

Miles Mikolas allowed 12 ER (9 HRs) in two starts against the Cubs last season, struggled vs. LHH. In those outings, Mikolas' changeup usage was around 20%. Today, he's relying on the changeup more and fastball less vs. LHH. Ten changeups (30%) vs. LHH through four.

James Wood picks up the Nationals first hit and run of the game with a 364-foot homer. Vintage Wood swing to the opposite field. The Nationals trail 4-1.

A pair of second-inning walks for Miles Mikolas turns into a pair of second inning runs. A sacrifice fly and then a Miguel Amaya pop up that landed in no man's land and Chicago leads 2-0.

Asked Blake Butera pre-game about how he’ll split up playing time between catchers Drew Millas and Keibert Ruiz:

Here’s what Blake Butera had to say about CJ Abrams getting thrown out at second base on Opening Day. Abrams came up to Butera in the dugout and owned up to the mistake: