Series at sliding A's could be just the boost the Nationals need

The Washington Nationals haven't been part of the postseason since winning the 2019 World Series, but they hope to kick off a run toward a berth when they resume play after the All-Star break against the struggling Athletics on Friday night at West Sacramento, Calif.

The Nationals have experienced six straight losing seasons since Stephen Strasburg's pitching highlighted the championship run.

Washington is four games behind the Miami Marlins for the third wild card in the National League with All-Stars James Wood and CJ Abrams leading a spirited charge.

"I'm proud of this group," Nationals rookie manager Blake Butera told reporters, according to mlb.com. "Coming into this season, everyone was throwing around the word ‘rebuild' and ‘a couple years away,' or whatever it might be. The fact that we're talking about whether we're going to be buyers or sellers at the (Aug. 3 trade) deadline shows a lot.

"These guys in the clubhouse have done a lot to get to this point that we are at today. We still have a lot of work that needs to be done, but overall I'm happy with the way these guys come out ready to play every single day."

Wood, a 6-foot-6 right fielder, has 28 homers and 64 RBIs and leads the majors by a wide margin with 89 runs scored. Abrams leads all NL shortstops in homers (20) and RBIs (67).

A problem area for Washington has been a bullpen which has a major league-worst 27 blown saves. In fact, the Nationals blew late leads in all three games while being swept by the New York Yankees entering the break.

Overall, Washington has dropped six of its last eight games.

The Athletics lost their last nine games before the All-Star break as their wild-card hopes took a huge hit.

The Athletics were outscored 24-2 while being swept in a three-game set by the host Chicago White Sox leading into the break.

The A's scored just six runs in their past six games. The offensive attack is struggling with All-Star first baseman Nick Kurtz (right thumb) on the 10-day injured list and two-time All-Star designated hitter Brent Rooker (left knee) done for the season.

The pitching also has been suspect, and the club designated right-hander Aaron Civale for assignment on Wednesday.

The Athletics' 5.20 ERA is second worst in the majors, ahead of the Colorado Rockies (5.44).

The A's haven't decided whether or not they will be sellers at the trade deadline. General manager David Forst said the upcoming performances will dictate that issue.

"This is a critical time," Forst told reporters, according to mlb.com. "It's not unrealistic to say, ‘If we play really well over the next three or four weeks, we could get back into the wild card or even division race.' The conversation about the deadline will evolve over the next two weeks."

Rookie left-hander Gage Jump (3-4, 3.51 ERA) will take the mound for the Athletics in the opener of the three-game set.

Jump, 23, has dropped three straight starts and has a 7.43 ERA during the stretch. He lost to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday when he gave up one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings.

In his previous two starts, he was hammered for 11 runs (10 earned) and 19 hits over just 7 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.

Right-hander Cade Cavalli (5-4, 3.83) starts for the Nationals.

Cavalli, 27, received a no-decision against the Yankees on Sunday when he gave up two runs and four hits over six innings.

Cavalli's lone appearance against the A's came in 2025. He gave up three hits in 4 1/3 scoreless innings and wasn't involved in the decision.

--Field Level Media