The Washington Nationals are on the right track when it comes to their current rebuild. 

After the Nationals won the World Series in 2019, a big contract for their MVP, Stephen Strasburg, did not work out due to a bizarre injury that ultimately ended his career. This failed contract and the questions surrounding the organization’s future ownership forced the front office to move on from their biggest star, Juan Soto. 

The organization has had some great luck with the pieces they’ve added during the rebuild and the minor league development has also excelled. After a 71-91 season, 18 games out of the playoff picture, the team is ready to take the next step. 

One way to do that would be to dive right back in to the phones, but instead of selling off players as they have for the past few seasons, they buy.

On Monday, The St. Louis Cardinals announced that President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak would be turning over to Chain Bloom at the end of 2025. As they prepare to transition after the following season, significant changes to the roster also seem to be looming. 

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cardinals will reduce payroll in 2025 and look to move on from some of their higher-paid players. The news comes from Mozeliak, who set the tone for the upcoming offseason for St. Louis. Some names that Nightengale included third baseman Nolan Arenado, catcher Willson Contreras, and starting pitcher Sonny Gray. 

Although not all of those veterans would make sense for the current construction of the Nationals roster, adding a top starter like Sonny Gray would make a lot of sense. 

With the team building an impressive young core, including names like Mackenzie Gore, Mitchell Parker, and DJ Herz, Gray could lead the rotation as the Nationals would look to take the next step in their rebuilding plans. Add in the likely return of Nationals eighth ranked prospect Cade Cavalli, who is recovering from Tommy John Surgery, and you have a solid pitching staff to battle against the toughest division in baseball, the NL East. 

It would be a bold move by general manager Mike Rizzo and the rest of the Nationals front office if they went out and made a move for Gray, but it could have an immediate impact for the good of the club. The 34-year-old finished as the runner up in 2023 for the American League Cy Young Award with a 2.79 ERA. He also led the league with a 2.83 FIP.

Gray signed a three year, $75 million deal this past offseason with the Cardinals but only made $10 million in 2024. If the Nationals were to acquire the right hander they would be on the hook for $25M in 2025 and $35M in 2026. They also would have the choice of a $30M team option in 2027, his age 37 season. 

Gray went 13-9 with a 3.84 ERA and a 3.12 FIP, recording 203 strikeouts over 166.1 innings of work. His 11 K/9 on the year was a career high for the 12-year pro. If he is traded this offseason, he could be joining his sixth team since making his MLB debut in 2013.

Although Gray’s numbers on the year were the worst since his final season as a member of the New York Yankees in 2018, he still would have outpitched the entire Nationals starting rotation. His ERA would have been the best on the roster, with the exception of Trevor Williams (2.03) –  when healthy, of course. 

The Cardinals would be taking a major hit if they decide to move on from Gray. Since the contract they signed him to in the offseason surpassed $60 million, they were forced to forfeit their second round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft to his former team, the Minnesota Twins as compensation. 

However, if they are set on moving on from the salary concerns and looking to bolster their farm system, one that is currently ranked 19th according to MLB Pipeline, plenty of suitors should be calling for a top of the rotation type of talent. 

Washington should definitely be one of them. 

With the in-season injury to Josiah Gray, who is likely out for the majority, if not all of 2025, adding the three time All-Star to lead the rotation would send a bold message to the rest of the National League and instantly make the Nationals a contender for at least a wild card spot next season.

Maryland will have a new tool to keep drunken drivers off the roads starting Tuesday.

“It’s been a long, long journey, and it shouldn’t have been.”

 The long journey for Rich Leotta started when his son Noah died in 2015. The Montgomery County Police officer was hit and killed while on patrol by a drunk driver.

“I think about Noah all the time,” Leotta said. “I know he’s with me.”

 Noah’s Law passed in 2016, requiring ignition interlock devices — like breathalyzers — to be installed in the cars of those convicted of drunk driving in Maryland.

But there was a loophole that allowed thousands of drunk drivers to avoid the program every year. If they were given what’s called probation before judgment, as many are for a first DUI offense, then they weren’t required to participate.

The exemption applied to about 50% of cases statewide.

This past session, Maryland lawmakers closed the loophole, requiring all DUI offenders to participate.

Under the new law, experts predict another 5,700 will be required to get into the ignition interlock program.

 supporters say the program is not about punishment — it’s about changing behavior.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those who have the ignition interlock device are less likely to drive drunk again in the future.

“But we still have a lot of work to do to make sure every state requires interlock devices beginning with the first offense,” said Stacey Stewart with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 

Kathleen Riley with Smart Start demonstrated how the device works. If it detects alcohol, you can’t start your car.

“In the state of Maryland, we also have cameras, so it identifies who is trying to take the test,” she said. 

 For Leotta, the journey isn’t over. He’s working to get legislation passed by Congress to require interlock laws across the country.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, ignition interlocks prevented more than 76,000 drinking and driving attempts in Maryland last year.

All DUI offenders are required to take part in the Ignition Interlock System Program starting Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Convicted drivers will have to install the system and use it for at least 180 days.

Under a new change to the law, all drivers convicted of alcohol-related offense will have to get interlock devices installed in their vehicles.

It is a rematch of last season’s national championship game when the Washington Huskies welcome the Michigan Wolverines to Husky Stadium in Seattle this Saturday. Michigan won that game 34-13. This season, the Huskies and the Wolverines are conference foes.

The Wolverines are on the road for the first time all season after five consecutive home games. After getting blown out by the Texas Longhorns in Week 2, Michigan (4-1, 3-1 Big Ten) has rebounded nicely winning three straight (all by 10 points or less) including a win as a home underdog against the USC Trojans.

Washington is 3-2 (1-1 in the Big Ten) on the season and coming off a loss at Rutgers (21-18) after beating Northwestern (24-5) and losing to Washington State (24-19). The Huskies’ best win this season came versus Northwestern (24-5) in their debut in the Big Ten.

NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from BetMGM, player news and updates, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts.

Listen to the B1G Talk podcast with Todd Blackledge and Noah Eagle for the most compelling storylines across all of college football, with the biggest teams on the rise and the latest rankings!

Game Details and How to watch Michigan vs. Washington

• Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
• Time: 7:30 PM EST
• Site: Husky Stadium
• City: Seattle, Washington
• TV/Streaming: NBC

Want to check out the other games on the College Football schedule this week? We’ve got you covered right here on NBC Sports with all the matchup, venue, game-time and TV/streaming info so you won’t miss any of the action!

Game odds for Michigan vs. Washington – Week 6

The latest odds as of Monday afternoon:

o Moneyline: Washington -145, Michigan +120
o Spread: Washington -2.5 (-110)
o Total: 40.5 points

*odds courtesy of BetMGM

The look-ahead line for the preseason had Michigan -9.5, so there is a big overreaction to this spread. Washington is receiving early money and pushed this from Washington -2 to -2.5, but at -3, we should see Michigan money pour in. The total opened at 42 and 41.5 but is down to 40.5.

Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers. So, whether you’re targeting spreads and totals, looking for value in futures markets or circling player props, give their podcast a listen to give you that extra edge.

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) has the following best bets for Saturday’s matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies:
“The look-ahead line for this spread was Michigan -9.5 and over the first month of the season, it’s now Washington -2 to -2.5. I believe this is an overreaction to the market and Michigan is defensively, going to cause problems for Will Rogers and Washington.

The UNDER is likely the best bet, but with Michigan rarely being a road underdog and the look-ahead line almost double-digits, I will take the Wolverines +2.5 and sprinkle the ML.”

From the Trading Desk at BetMGM courtesy of John Ewing: National Championship

Highest Handle%
· Ohio State 17.9%
· Georgia 16.1%
· Miami 10.7%

Biggest Liabilities
· Tennessee
· Ohio State
· Miami

College Football talk is taking over Bet the Edge every Thursday throughout the season. Bet the EDGE is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Vaughn Dalzell, Eric Froton, and Brad Thomas’ insights Thursdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Quarterback matchup for Michigan vs. Washington

• Washington: Will Rogers has 10 TDs to 0 INTs this season for 1,354 passing yards for a 74.8 completion percentage through five games. Rogers posted over 13,000 passing yards, and 94 TDs to 28 INTs with Mississippi State from 2020-2023.
• Michigan: Alex Orji posted a career-high 86 passing yards last week and has 133 passing yards, 113 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns in his first season as a starter.

Huskies vs. Wolverines player news & recent stats

• Washington is 4-0 to the Under this season and 3-1 ATS.
• Michigan is 1-4 ATS this season and 3-2 to the Over.
• Washington is 9-7-1 ATS as a home favorite since 2022 and 9-7-1 to the Under.
• Michigan has only been a road underdog in two games since 2020 and is 2-0 to the Under and 2-0 ATS (3-1 ATS since 2018).

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• Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
• Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
• Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
• Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
• Eric Froton (@CFFroton)