MLB

Braves 6, Nationals 3

This was a September makeup game between two teams out of the postseason picture, and well, the crowd was indicative of it. The paid attendance was 15,584, but the audience on TV looked significantly smaller. During late-inning rain showers, even less people were watching. Nationals Park has never been known for its raucous atmosphere, but it was practically dead yesterday.

The Braves, now 68-83, are limping towards a potential 90-loss campaign, but at least Matt Olson hasn’t thrown in the towel. Homering in four consecutive contests, the first baseman has 27 long balls on the year. If Atlanta can build around Olson, Ronald Acuna and a few others, the Braves can get back on track in 2026.

Olson went 2-of-5 in this victory.

Jake Irvin’s regression this year likely has the Nationals’ brass feeling uneasy. The right-hander was solid in his first two MLB seasons, but the bottom has fallen out across 31 starts in 2025, as Irvin has registered a 5.76 ERA. Yesterday’s five earned runs over six innings only worsened his numbers.