Stephanie: Jorbit Vivas with the tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth, snapping a seven-game skid and lifting Washington to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. That is the energy we are bringing into tonight’s show.
Sean: It was a gritty win, Steph. You can feel the momentum shift when a guy like Jorbit steps up against his former team. But now, they have to do it again tomorrow night.
Stephanie: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, home of the daily sports podcast that keeps you ahead of the curve. I’m Stephanie, and this is your Washington Nationals preview for September 12th, 2026.
Sean: And I’m Sean. We’re coming off a massive win last night, but as always, there are injuries, pitching questions, and a series on the line. We’ve got three things for you today.
Stephanie: First, we break down the pitching matchup for tonight’s game two. Second, we look at the bullpen usage and who might be sitting out due to those long-term IL stints. And third, we talk about Dylan Crews and James Wood—can they keep the hot bat rolling?
Sean: Before we dive into the rotation, I want to take a quick second. If this episode has been worth your time, or if you’ve learned something new about how these young guys are developing, consider chipping in to help keep the show free and daily. Just check the link in the episode description. It makes a huge difference.
Stephanie: Thanks, Sean. Let’s get right into it. Game two. The Nationals hold a one-game lead in this three-game set against the Angels. Los Angeles is 56-91, fifth in the AL West. Washington is 68-81, fifth in the NL East. Both teams fighting for pride, but only one wants to close out the weekend strong.
Sean: The big question here is always the starter. With the rotation so thin, who is taking the mound? We know Cade Cavalli isn’t available, and Sam Bachman is on the 15-day IL. Andrew Alvarez has been a workhorse, but Clayton Beeter has also seen significant action.
Stephanie: Right, and remember from yesterday’s chat about the Padres series—we were worried about the uncertainty then. Now, with Jackson Kent and Jake Irvin on the roster, do you think the manager leans toward one of them, or does he go back to the relievers to eat innings?
Sean: I think he’s going to lean heavily on the bullpen again. Look at the list: Riley Cornelio, Yovanny Cruz, Will Dion, Brad Lord, Luis Perales, Jared Simpson, Jack Sinclair, Erik Tolman, Eddy Yean. That is nine relievers listed. They have depth, but they also have fatigue.
Stephanie: Nine relievers! That’s a lot of arms to manage in a short series. If the starter goes five innings, who are you trusting in the sixth? Yovanny Cruz has been solid, but is he ready for high-leverage spots after such heavy usage?
Sean: That’s the tactical battle. If the Angels’ lineup is featuring their top hitters, you need someone with velocity. Jared Simpson brings heat, but his command can be spotty. Erik Tolman has been steady in spot starts. I’d expect the manager to try to get through the first three batters of the inning, then make a move.
Stephanie: So, no surprise if we see a relief starter tonight. It feels like the only way to preserve the arms for the final game. What about the Angels’ side? They’re struggling offensively, but they’ve shown flashes. Do you think Washington’s bullpen can handle a six-run game like we saw earlier in the season?
Sean: Well, last night they held them to three runs. The key is early outs. If they can get ahead in the count, they can neutralize the Angels’ power. But if they fall behind, that’s when the bullpen gets tested. It’s all about pitch counts and efficiency.
Stephanie: Efficiency is everything. Okay, let’s shift gears. We talked about the pitchers. Now, what about the hitters? Last night, Jorbit Vivas hit that walk-off double. Can he keep that momentum going?
Sean: Vivas is a guy who thrives in pressure moments. His swing plane allows him to lift the ball effectively. Against the Angels, who have given up runs in the eighth before, he’s a perfect candidate to strike again. But he needs to face quality pitching.
Stephanie: And don’t forget CJ Abrams. He’s been a constant threat on the bases and in the lineup. With Brady House at third and Andres Chaparro at first, the middle of the order looks dangerous. How important is it for them to string together hits?
Sean: It’s critical. The Angels’ pitching staff has been inconsistent, but they can still strand runners. If Washington doesn’t score early, they risk falling into a trap. Platoon splits matter here too. Who is starting for LA? If it’s a lefty, James Wood might have an edge.
Stephanie: James Wood! Yes, the power hitter. He’s been a standout for this young team. But we also have Dylan Crews in right field. From our chat yesterday, we were wondering if he could bounce back after the loss to San Diego. Is he ready to contribute tonight?
Sean: Crews has elite plate discipline. When he makes contact, it’s usually hard. Against a team like the Angels, who may be relying on younger pitchers, Crews should find success. But he needs to stay aggressive early in the count. That’s where the extra base hits come from.
Stephanie: Agreed. And what about the catchers? Harry Ford is day-to-day, and Keibert Ruiz is... well, we know he’s dealing with injury concerns. Who is catching tonight? Does that impact the defense behind the pitcher?
Sean: If Ford is active, he’s likely the choice. His framing skills are crucial for keeping pitches in the zone. If he’s not, it falls to a backup. Defensive positioning becomes even more important if the catcher isn’t fully healthy. It changes how the pitcher approaches certain hitters.
Stephanie: So, defensive shifts and catcher framing are key factors. Let’s talk injuries for a moment. We have Richard Lovelady, DJ Herz, PJ Poulin, Yoan Moncada, Gustavo Campero, George Klassen, and Nolan Schanuel all on the IL. That’s a lot of bodies missing.
Sean: It’s a significant chunk of the roster. Losing Moncada hurts the lineup depth, and having Schanuel out means less competition for playing time in the infield. But it also opens doors for guys like Abimelec Ortiz and Yohandy Morales to step up. Opportunity knocks.
Stephanie: Opportunity for the kids. That’s been the theme all season. Young players stepping up when called upon. Does that excite you as an analyst, or does it worry you about the lack of veteran presence?
Sean: It’s a mix. Excitement because you see development, but worry because baseball is a grind. Without veterans to guide them, mistakes can be costly. But looking at Vivas and Crews, they seem to have the maturity to handle it.
Stephanie: Maturity beyond their years. Okay, we’ve covered the pitching, the hitting, and the injuries. Let’s wrap this up with some keys to the series. What does Washington need to do to win two of three?
Sean: Number one: control the strike zone. If the umpires are calling balls and strikes consistently, the young hitters will thrive. Number two: bullpen management. Don’t burn out your best arms in game one. Save them for the decisive game three.
Stephanie: Smart advice. And number three?
Sean: Run the bases. Jacob Young and CJ Abrams are fast. If the Angels are playing shallow, take advantage. Stealing a base or getting an extra base on a hit can change the entire dynamic of a low-scoring game.
Stephanie: Speed kills. I love it. So, bold prediction time. Where do you see this series ending?
Sean: I’m going to stick with my prediction from earlier in the week. I think the Nationals win two of three. Maybe even sweep it if the bullpen holds up. But two wins feels solid.
Stephanie: Two of three. I agree. The momentum from last night is too big to ignore. Jorbit Vivas is hot, the kids are stepping up, and the Angels are just trying to survive the season. Washington takes control here.
Sean: Exactly. It’s about seizing the moment. These late-season games are where futures are made. For these young guys, winning now sets the tone for next year.
Stephanie: We’ve broken down the pitching, the hitters, and the keys to victory. The Nationals are looking to extend their win streak against the Angels tonight. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen to podcasts!
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Stephanie: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Go Nats!