The Washington Nationals have secured the most road wins since the 2019 season
In a season featuring highs and lows in year one of the Paul Toboni and Blake Butera era, the Washington Nationals have set a new feat in the final road game of the 2026 regular season.
The Nationals closed out the final road series of the season with a 4-2 win against the Detroit Tigers to secure the series win. It marks the second consecutive series win on the road trip as the Nationals won four of their six games against the Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals, giving the organization some late season success despite the shift to the lottery odds as the postseason odds gradually faded. Yet the win also marked Washington's 38th win on the road this season, marking the organization's most since winning 43 during the 2019 season that ended in a World Series ring.
It's an impressive mark for Washington, who won three of the first four road games to open the first week of the regular season above .500, yet the latest win also featured another accolade.
Yovanny Cruz, who was acquired by the organization in the Luis Garcia trade, recorded the save after giving up one earned run and three hits while tossing a pair of strikeouts in 1.1 innings. He became the 15th Nationals pitcher to record a save in the win, tied with the Minnesota Twins, who accomplished the feat in 2025, for the second most by a team in MLB history. The Arizona Diamondbacks set the mark after 17 different players recorded at least one save last season, though the Nationals have had to turn to different faces through the course of the season with consistent struggles out of the bullpen. Cole Henry joined Clayton Beeter as the two pitchers in the mix to replace Jose Ferrer as the starting closer in 2026, though the Nationals requested unconditional release waivers on Henry earlier in the week after struggles then injuries proved to derail his second season with the organization. Identifying an upgraded solution, whether internal or via free agency, is among the top priorities for Toboni and the front office once the offseason officially begins next week.
Washington will enjoy its final off day of the regular season on Thursday before returning home to Nationals Park to close out year one of the Toboni and Butera era. Andrew Alvarez is set to take the mound to open the series against the New York Mets, set to begin on Friday with first pitch at 6:45 PM ET.
