Rockies face Nationals with hot-hitting Goodman
The Colorado Rockies visit the Washington Nationals on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. Jake Irvin starts for Washington against Gabriel Hughes, with Hunter Goodman on a two-game homer streak. The Nationals are favored at -125 with a 9.5 total.
Thursday’s matchup pits two struggling starters, with Washington’s Jake Irvin carrying a 5.82 ERA against Colorado’s Gabriel Hughes at 6.54. Hunter Goodman’s consecutive homers give the Rockies a rare spark, while the Nationals lean on C.J. Abrams, whose 29 homers and 92 RBIs lead the team. Both clubs sit near the bottom of their divisions, making this a low-stakes but potentially high-scoring afternoon.
The Nationals’ injury list is extensive, including James Wood and Josiah Gray, while Colorado counters with Kris Bryant and José Quintana sidelined. Washington’s slight -125 favorite status reflects home advantage, yet the 9.5 total suggests neither pitching staff inspires much confidence. With playoff hopes long gone, individual performances—like Abrams’ stolen-base threat or Jake McCarthy’s .294 average—may drive the narrative more than the final score.
This game carries limited broader significance, but it may influence late-season roster evaluations for both rebuilding clubs. Fans could see young players like Daylen Lile or TJ Rumfield gain confidence against weak pitching, potentially shaping next year’s lineups. For bettors, the close moneyline and high total reflect uncertainty, which could affect local engagement. However, with both teams far from contention, the outcome likely matters most to fantasy owners and die-hard supporters tracking individual milestones.