CJ Abrams' leadoff homer lifts Nationals over Dodgers 2-0
CJ Abrams homered in the first at-bat of the game and the Washington Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 to take the seriesAPRIL 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
KYLE FINNEGAN #67 - PITCHER - WASHINGTON NATIONALS
3-8 W-L •
1.34 WHIP •
3.67 ERA
3-8 W-L
1.34 WHIP
3.67 ERA
Juan Soto, Mike Trout headline Ben Verlander's Team of the Week
Ben Verlander's latest Team of the Week includes future Hall of Famers and potential budding stars.APRIL 15
Picks up save No. 5 Finnegan picked up the save Saturday in Oakland, striking out one in a perfect inning.
Impact Finnegan was tasked with protecting a two-run lead and did so without a sweat, requiring just nine pitches to dispose of the Athletics in order. While he has an un-closer-like 4.26 ERA, Finnegan is tied for the National League lead with his five saves. Hunter Harvey -- who pitched a scoreless eighth inning Saturday -- has yet to notch a save.
APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE
MacKenzie Gore strikes out 11 as Nationals beat Athletics 3-1
MacKenzie Gore tied a career high with 11 strikeouts, CJ Abrams hit an RBI triple and the Washington Nationals beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 on SaturdayAPRIL 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Abrams homers, drives in 3 as Nationals beat Giants 5-3
CJ Abrams homered and drove in three runs after missing three games with a bruised left pinkie and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Tuesday nightAPRIL 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Clean inning for save No. 2 Finnegan picked up the save during Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Pirates. He didn't allow a hit or a walk during one inning while striking out two.
Impact Finnegan bounced back from a three-run, two-homer blown save on March 31 to deliver the Nationals their second win of the season and nail his second save. The rebound performance likely adds a little length back to Finnegan's hypothetical leash, with Hunter Harvey sitting behind him as a solid replacement arm if the Nats don't feel Finnegan is up to par.
APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE
Joey Gallo goes from 0-for-12 to 3 hits, including a homer, and the Nationals beat the Pirates 5-3
Joey Gallo emphatically ended an 0-for-12 season-opening drought with an upper-deck homer that traveled 447 feet and two other hits to help the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsb...APRIL 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blows save, takes loss Finnegan (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Sunday against the Reds. He allowed three runs on three hits and no walks with no strikeouts over two-thirds of an inning.
Impact Finnegan began his outing Sunday by promptly generating two outs via lineouts and looked well on his way to a second save in as many days. However, the Reds lineup had a different idea as the next three batters each produced extra bases. Finnegan yielded a double to Jonathan India, game-tying homer to Will Benson then a walk-off homer to Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Finnegan didn't have the strongest grip on the Nationals' closer job before this game, so keep an eye on this bullpen as Hunter Harvey could easily enter the discussion for saves in Washington.
MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE
Eddie Rosario's sacrifice fly caps 3-run 9th inning off Alexis Díaz as Nationals beat Reds 7-6
Eddie Rosario capped a three-run ninth inning off All-Star closer Alexis Díaz with a tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6MARCH 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Avoids arbitration Finnegan agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Impact Finnegan served as the Nationals' primary closer in 2023, recording 28 saves. He had an uneven performance overall, however, posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.30 WHIP to go along with a 63:24 K:BB across 69.1 innings. He'll likely begin the 2024 campaign in the ninth-inning role, but Hunter Harvey could overtake him fairly quickly.
JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE
Records save to end 2023 Finnegan picked up his 28th save of the year in a 10-9 win over Atlanta on Sunday. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out one over an inning.
Impact Finnegan was spotted a two-run lead after the Nationals were able to climb ahead in the top of the ninth. He allowed a solo home run to Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris followed up with a double, but Finnegan was able to retire the next two batters to put a cap on the season with a win. The 31-year-old finishes 2023 with a 3.76 ERA and 63:24 K:BB in 69.1 innings and should be the frontrunner to close again for the Nationals next year as long as he isn't traded.
OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Earns save in Game 1 Finnegan allowed a run on one hit over one inning and earned the save in a 3-2 win over Atlanta in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader.
Impact Finnegan added a little drama after allowing a solo home run to Sean Murphy, but he was able to preserve the Nationals' lead. This was Finnegan's second save in a row, and he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 8.2 innings in a shaky September. He's at a 3.74 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB through 67.1 innings while adding 27 saves, eight holds and eight blown saves this season.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Hangs on for 26th save Finnegan picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over an inning.
Impact The White Sox made things interesting in the ninth, cutting the Nats' lead to 4-3, but Finnegan ultimately got Elvis Andrus to fly out, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It's been a rocky stretch for Finnegan, who's now allowed eight runs over his last six appearances (5.2 innings). Still, the right-hander appears to have a solid grasp on the closing job in Washington as he improved to 26-for-34 in save chances this season. Through 66.1 innings on the campaign, Finnegan sports a 3.66 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Blows eighth save Finnegan gave up a run on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning Saturday to blow the save in an eventual 7-6 win for the Nationals. He struck out one.
Impact Called upon to protect a 5-4 lead, Finnegan and battery-mate Keibert Ruiz instead found themselves helpless to stop the Dodgers' running game. The three baserunners the right-hander put aboard swiped four bags between them, and it took a great defensive effort by Luis Garcia to escape the inning without further damage. Finnegan's had a rocky last few weeks, getting tagged for runs in six of his last 10 appearances, but while he's now blown eight of his 33 save chances on the season, this was his first since July 14. Hunter Harvey also coughed up two runs in the eighth, but he's been the more effective reliever of late and could reclaim his spot as the Nats' primary closer down the stretch.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Escapes trouble for save No. 25 Finnegan gave up one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning Tuesday to record his 25th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out one.
Impact The right-hander loaded the bases with nobody out to begin the ninth, but Finnegan kept his focus and the only run he gave up came on a Vladimir Guerrero grounder. He's converted 14 straight save chances since July 17, and while Hunter Harvey is healthy again and on hand to share the high-leverage load, Finnegan remains manager Dave Martinez's top choice to close out games.
AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Cold-blooded Finnegan earns huge save in 'playoff' atmosphere TORONTO -- On a warm late-August evening, with the low sun beaming into Rogers Centre, manager Dave Martinez saw something in Kyle Finnegan....
AUGUST 30, 2023 • MLB.COM
Nails down 24th save Finnegan gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 24th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Marlins.
Impact The right-hander needed only nine pitches (eight strikes) to dispatch Miami, getting Jesus Sanchez to ground into a double play to erase his lone baserunner. Hunter Harvey got the save Friday after Finnegan had worked Thursday, but it's the latter that still looks like the primary closing option for the Nationals. Since his last blown save July 14, Finnegan has a sparkling 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 18.1 innings.
AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Escapes with 23rd save Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings.
Impact Finnegan entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and made things interesting by allowing singles to Oswald Peraza and Gleyber Torres in two of the first four at-bats. The former would then come around to score on a Giancarlo Stanton single to make it a one-run game, but Finnegan was able to retire the next batter and escape with his 23rd save of the season. The right-handed reliever has now converted his last 12 save opportunities, though he's also allowed one earned run in three of his last four appearances.
AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Notches 22nd save Finnegan picked up the save Tuesday against the Yankees, working around a walk in a scoreless inning.
Impact Finnegan's now converted his last 11 save opportunities, though he'd allowed two runs over his previous two appearances (1.1 innings). Still, the 31-year-old right-hander's been solid since reclaiming the closing job in Washington, allowing just two runs over his last 17 appearances (16 innings). Overall, Finnegan's 22-for-29 in save chances with a 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 54:17 K:BB across 55.1 innings this season.
AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Escapes with save Finnegan allowed one run on one hit in Sunday's win over Philadelphia. He recorded one out and earned a save.
Impact Finnegan entered a 4-1 game with two outs in the ninth inning. He served up a two-run shot to Jake Cave before striking out J.T. Realmuto to end the game. Finnegan earned three saves over the last four days, giving him 21 in 28 attempts on the year. He now owns a 2.82 ERA and a 54:16 K:BB across 54.1 frames.
AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Notches save No. 20 Finnegan struck out one and gave up a solo home run in the ninth inning Friday to record his 20th save of the season in an 8-7 win over the Phillies.
Impact Kyle Schwarber made things interesting by leading off the top of the ninth with a solo shot to right-center field, but Finnegan shook it off and fanned Nick Castellanos for the final out to secure the victory. Hunter Harvey has returned from the injured list but has settled back into a setup role, a result of Finnegan's success in the second half -- Friday's run was the first he'd surrendered since July 14, and he's converted nine straight save chances.
AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Gets out of jam for 19th save Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against Boston, allowing two hits while striking out one over a scoreless inning.
Impact Finnegan found himself in trouble after entering the game with a three-run lead in the ninth, surrendering a single and a double in the first two at-bats. However, the veteran reliever was able to work his way out of the jam, retiring the next three batters in order on a total of just seven pitches to record his 19th save. Finnegan has not allowed a run since July 14 against the Cardinals, converting all eight of his save opportunities since then.
AUGUST 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Perfect for sixth win Finnegan (6-3) earned the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Athletics. He struck out two over a perfect inning.
Impact Finnegan fired off his 12th consecutive scoreless appearance Saturday, retiring the side in the top of the ninth during a tied ballgame. Though Finnegan won't see a ton of save opportunities with the Nationals being one of MLB's worst teams, he's been incredibly reliable and owns a 2.65 ERA and a 51:15 K:BB across 51 innings this year.
AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Collects 18th save Finnegan recorded his 18th save of the season in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Impact The right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 11 appearances and 10.2 innings, a stretch in which he's converted seven straight save chances while posting a 12:1 K:BB. Finnegan appears to have a firm hold on the closer job for the Nationals, and even if Hunter Harvey (elbow) is able to return before the end of the season, he might have to settle for setup work.
AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Earns 17th save Finnegan picked up the save Sunday against Cincinnati. He allowed two hits while striking out two over a scoreless ninth inning.
Impact Finnegan allowed two baserunners to reach with just one out leaving the door open for a Reds comeback but finished the job by retiring the final two batters he faced. Despite being stuck on a last-place team, Finnegan has had a highly effective season for the Nationals having only allowed a total of three earned runs in 27 innings since the beginning of June. With Hunter Harvey on the injured list with an elbow strain, Finnegan should maintain the role of closer for the foreseeable future.
AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
