Nationals open homestand with three-game set vs. Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays (15–17) vs. Washington Nationals (15–16)

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (2–2, 2.94) | LHP Patrick Corbin (0–3, 6.82)

Friday, May 3, 2024 l 6:45 p.m. ET l Game #32 / Home #13

Nationals Park | Washington, D.C.

TV: Apple TV+ | Radio: 106.7 FM / DC 87.7 FM & La Pantera 100.7 FM (Spanish)

BACK IN THE DISTRICT

Following a 5–2 road trip, the Washington Nationals open a five-game homestand on Friday night against the Toronto Blue Jays…After the three-game series, the Nationals will host the Baltimore Orioles for a two-game series starting Tuesday.

• Washington is in the midst of a 14-game stretch against the American League that began on Tuesday against the Rangers.
• The Nationals are 13–10 (.565) and have won four of their last seven series since April 7.

STARTS AT THE TOP

CJ Abrams has reached safely in 17 of his last 18 games and has hit safely in 16 of the 18…He is hitting .292/.378/.625 with six doubles, three triples, four homers, nine RBI, eight walks, two hit by pitch, four stolen bases and 16 runs scored during this stretch.

• Among NL shortstops, Abrams leads in triples, is second in slugging, and homers and third in OPS.
• Abrams is second in Major League Baseball (1st among left-handed batters) with a .778 slugging percentage (2 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR) against left-handed pitching.
• According to Baseball-Reference.com, Abrams is the first player in Major League history with at least seven home runs, six stolen bases and at least four triples in 25 games to start a season.

ON THE DEFENSIVE

The Nationals have committed just nine errors this season, the second-fewest in Major League Baseball behind the Atlanta Braves (8)…Washington ranks fourth in the league with 33 double plays.

• Jacob Young (2), Alex Call (1), Eddie Rosario (1), Lane Thomas (1) and Jesse Winker (1) have combined for six double plays from the outfield, the most in Major League Baseball.
• Winker and Young have each tallied three outfield assists, tied for fourth-most in Major League Baseball…As a club, the Nationals rank second in MLB with 10 outfield assists.