CJ

Abrams

Abrams had three hits, all of them homers, in the first two games of the series, and now he has some singles to balance them out. After a down June, he’s opened July with a .356 average, six homers and 16 RBI in 15 games.

Abrams got the scoring started with a two-run blast off Michael Lorenzen in the first inning. He did it again in his next at-bat, taking Lorenzen deep for his second two-run homer. Abrams later drew a walk in the seventh to reach base for a third time. The 25-year-old shortstop is up to 24 homers, 61 runs scored, 76 RBI, and 15 steals while slashing .279/.354/.538 across 418 plate appearances.

Abrams also drew a walk. The 25-year-old budding star has homered 21 times in 2026, and the double was his 19th. He’s also driven in 70 RBI over the Nationals’ first 100 games, and there’s a real shot he’ll reach triple digits for the first time in his young career. There’s been some suggestion the Nationals could move Abrams in a blockbuster package, but it seems more likely he’ll continue to contribute in all five categories as a member of the Nats for the foreseeable future.

Abrams’ 20th homer of the year ties a career high, a mark he’ll likely blow past given we haven’t even reached the All-Star break. Washington now has three hitters with 20 homers, tied with the White Sox for the most in the majors. The star shortstop also has 67 RBI this season, tying Yordan Alvarez for the third-most in MLB.

Abrams took Houston starter Mike Burrows deep in the third inning for a game-tying homer to match his home run total from last season. He’s now one big fly shy of his previous career-high mark of 20 round-trippers set back in 2024. The 25-year-old speedster also picked up his 15th stolen base of the season in this one. He’s been arguable the most impactful fantasy shortstop this season with 19 homers, 64 RBI and 15 thefts through 88 games.

The Red Sox will throw their third left-handed starter in this series, and while Abrams has started the last two, they will give him a day off on Wednesday. Nasim Nunez will slide over to shortstop with Jorbit Vias entering the lineup at second base and batting seventh. Andres Chaparro will also make his third straight start and bat third while Luis Garcia Jr. heads to the bench.

Abrams finds himself one round-tripper shy of matching last year’s 144-game total already after taking Red Sox veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle deep in the eighth inning of this one. It was his lone hit in five at-bats. The 25-year-old is the favorite to start at shortstop for the National League in the upcoming All-Star Game after putting together a monster first-half effort.

Abrams has missed two of Washington’s last four contests due to a lingering side issue. The 25-year-old is the current front-runner to start the Midsummer Classic for the senior circuit after piling up 17 homers and 13 steals across 80 games so far.

Abrams started Wednesday, but he missed games Tuesday and Thursday because of tightness in his left side.

Abrams missed Tuesday’s game with the same issue. Nationals’ skipper Blake Butera told reporters on Thursday that Abrams should be available off the bench and isn’t expected to miss any substantial time. He’s still considered day-to-day.