Washington

My prediction for the Washington Nationals Opening Day Lineup

Published

18 hours ago

March 13, 2025

My prediction for the Washington Nationals Opening Day Lineup

The Washington Nationals Opening Day matchup against the Phillies is just two weeks away! With that in mind, I thought it was time to make my prediction for the Opening Day lineup. One important thing to keep in mind is that the Phillies Opening Day starter, Zack Wheeler is right handed.

1: CJ Abrams, SS

This one is a slam dunk. Manager Davey Martinez has already confirmed that Abrams will be the leadoff man. Despite his tumultuous second half, the Nationals still have faith in their young shortstop. The best stretches of CJ’s career have come from the leadoff spot, and it has always felt like he has been more confident at the top of the order. He will take the first at bat of the season for the Washington Nationals.

2: Dylan Crews, RF

This might be slightly bold due to Crews’ lack of MLB production, but I think the Nats are going to stick him in the 2 hole. A big reason for this is his right handed bat. The Nationals lineup is very left handed heavy at the top as we will discuss. Davey Martinez will want a right handed bat in between those guys and Crews fits the bill. Martinez has a history of not liking too many same sided hitters in a row, so Crews is a good bet at in the 2 hole.

3: James Wood, LF

The Nationals highest upside hitter will hit in the three hole. There are high hopes for the towering slugger in 2025. Andrew Golden said he had a chance to hit 35 homers this season, while Grant Paulsen said 30 was within reach. Wood certainly has the raw power to get that done. He hits the ball hard a ton, and it goes a long way when he elevates the ball. Right now he hits the ball on the ground too much, but even with that, he had a productive half season at just 21 years old.

4: Nathaniel Lowe, 1B

The first of a few new additions, Nathaniel Lowe was the biggest move of the Nationals offseason. He has been a stalwart in a stacked Texas Rangers lineup the past few years. While he hasn’t hit for the power of your prototypical cleanup man the past couple years, he is a well above average bat. He gets on base a ton and provides some thump to go along with it. Lowe should be a leader in the young Nats lineup.

5: Josh Bell, DH

While I would consider Luis Garcia Jr here, I know Davey wouldn’t love three lefties in a row. That is why the switch hitting Bell is going into the five hole. Bell is looking to get back to hitting for more power, something the Nats need him to do. The Nats are hoping he can be a 25 home run bat. He has also a beloved member of the community in his first stint with the club, so it will be nice to get him back in town.

6: Luis Garcia Jr., 2B

Luis Garcia had a breakout year in 2024. He was arguably the Nationals best hitter last season. You can certainly argue that he should be hitting higher in the lineup, but this is what I think will happen. Having Garcia in the 6 hole shows the improved depth of the lineup. He can establish himself as one of the better second baseman in baseball if he can repeat or improve upon his 2024 campaign. Garcia has been swinging a hot bat this spring.

7: Keibert Ruiz, C

Speaking of swinging a hot bat, Keibert Ruiz has looked excellent this spring. He is tapping into his power, with three home runs and his approach looks improved. Those were the two things Ruiz needed to do to bounce back from a brutal 2024 season. The bat to ball skills have never been in doubt, he has just given away too many at bats and there has been too much weak contact. 2025 is a massive year for the 26 year old catcher.

8: Paul Dejong, 3B

I think Paul Dejong is going to be the opening day third baseman. He signed just before Spring Training on a one-year deal, but the veteran has impressed. Dejong has looked very strong defensively at third base and has showed off some of his famous power. He hit 24 homers last year and the Nationals need power bats.

9: Jacob Young, CF

Jacob Young will be like a second leadoff man for the Nats. His speed and solid contact ability make him a pesky hitter at the bottom of the order. Hopefully his new strength can translate to a bit more power. Young will never be a slugger, but even if he could hit 8 homers a season, it would go a long way. He is a phenomenal defensive center fielder, but if the bat doesn’t improve, his job will be under pressure with all of the outfielders the Nats have in the upper minors.

This is my Opening Day lineup prediction. We will see how I did in two weeks when the Nats host the Phillies on March 27th for Opening Day.

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Washington

Former Alabama prep standout staying with Washington Commanders

Published

6 hours ago

March 13, 2025

Press Room

Former Alabama prep standout staying with Washington Commanders

Trent Scott made two starts during the 2024 season for the Washington Commanders – at left offensive tackle in Game 10 and right guard in the NFC Championship Game.

The former Lee-Huntsville standout will bring that versatility back to Washington after agreeing to a contract for the 2025 season with the Commanders on Thursday. NFL Network reported the contract as a one-year deal.

Scott became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, but he’s signing with Washington, just as he did the previous time he was a free agent after the 2022 season.

In 17 regular-season games in 2024, Scott played 192 offensive snaps, with 178 coming in five games. He also had a career-high 90 special-teams snaps. Scott also played in Washington’s three playoff games as the Commanders went to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.

The 2024 season included the first touchdown of Scott’s NFL career. In a 38-33 victory over Cincinnati on Sept. 23, Scott lined up as a blocking tight end on second-and-goal at the Bengals 1-yard line, leaked into the end zone and caught the first TD pass of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ career with 9:54 left in the third quarter.

Scott played in nine games, with one start, for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018 after earning a spot on the team as a rookie free agent from Grambling State.

Scott started nine games at left tackle for the Chargers in 2019, filling in for veteran Russell Okung.

Scott joined the Carolina Panthers as a waiver claim after Los Angeles released him at the end of training camp in September 2020. Scott played in 14 games in his first season with Carolina, with four starts. Scott played in 14 games with five starts at right guard for the Panthers in 2021.

Scott went to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency and played in eight games, with one start, in 2022.

During seven NFL seasons, Scott has played in 88 regular-season games, with 23 starts, and five playoff contests, with one start.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

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Washington

6 people injured, including 4 firefighters, in apartment building fire in Washington Heights: FDNY

Published

1 day ago

March 12, 2025

Press Room

6 people injured, including 4 firefighters, in apartment building fire in Washington Heights: FDNY

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (WABC) — Several people were injured, including four firefighters, after a fast-moving fire broke out at an apartment building in Washington Heights Wednesday night.

FDNY officials say the fire began around 7 p.m. at 65 Fort Washington Ave. between West 161st and 162nd streets.

They say 33 units and 138 fire and EMS members were operating on the scene.

Officials reported fire in the walls and ceiling for floors three, four and five.

Six people were injured, including four firefighters and two civilians. All of them suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The fire was placed under control just after 8:30 p.m.

There’s no word yet on what caused the fire.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Washington

Could Commanders Make a Run at DT DeMarcus Lawrence in Free Agency?

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

Press Room

Could Commanders Make a Run at DT DeMarcus Lawrence in Free Agency?

The Washington Commanders have been making moves this offseason, aiming to build on their record-breaking season by adding key pieces to their roster. One potential target could come from a long-time NFC East rival — the Dallas Cowboys.

With the recent turnover in Dallas, veteran defensive tackle Demarcus Lawrence is the latest on the chopping block. The 11-year veteran is a free agent, and while he’s expressed a desire to remain with the only franchise he’s known since being drafted in 2014, his future in Dallas remains uncertain.

If Dallas chooses not to re-sign Lawrence, he’s expected to have no shortage of suitors. And Washington might be the most logical destination.

Sep 18, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“The ball is in their court. I’m not only going to play in Dallas,” Lawrence told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I’m going to have other options, but I’d like to stay here. It would be a glorious thing.”

With Dan Quinn now leading the Commanders, a reunion with Lawrence makes perfect sense. Lawrence thrived under Quinn’s system in Dallas, posting six seasons with a Pro Football Focus (PFF) defensive grade of 86+ over the past seven years. While a foot injury limited him to just four games in 2024, his track record speaks for itself.

Given the Commanders need to improve its pass rush, adding a proven veteran like Lawrence — especially one who already has ties to Dan Quinn — could be a game-changer. Lawrence might not command a massive contract due to his recent injury, but it would be a good move for Washington.

If the Cowboys decide to part ways, the Commanders would be wise to make a strong push. Bringing Lawrence to Washington wouldn’t just weaken a division rival — it could give the Commanders’ defense the edge to make another deep playoff run.

READ MORE: Zach Ertz says re-signing with the Commanders was a 60-second decision

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

• Washington Commanders bringing back veteran running back on one-year deal

• Promising WR leaves Commanders, agrees to $10 million deal with AFC team

• Washington Commanders make blockbuster trade with Houston Texans for Pro Bowl OT

• Commanders lose starting safety to $18 million deal with Raiders

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