Washington Nationals Picks & Predictions

Tatis has multiple paths to extra bases against Kent. Beyond crushing four-seamers, he owns a .515 xSLG against changeups, .485 against sliders and .468 against curveballs. His 76.9 mph bat speed and 18.0% BlastSw rate provide elite damage potential. The only caution is elevated whiffs against the slider and curveball.

Tatis combines leadoff volume with an excellent matchup against Kent’s primary weakness. He owns a .463 xwOBA and .641 xSLG against four-seamers, while his low 20.7% chase rate should help him avoid Kent’s breaking pitches outside the zone. His 52.2% ground-ball rate limits power but still creates plenty of potential hit-producing contact.

Key stats: Projected third, 81.3% Contact, 8.8% SwStr, 23.0% LD, 40.4% FB.

Bellinger’s third lineup position is excellent for a combo category. He has contact ability, moderate power and no decisive arsenal failure. His splitter survival is particularly important because it keeps Sugano from easily producing empty plate appearances.

Tatis’ projected leadoff position gives him maximum plate-appearance opportunity, while his broad arsenal coverage creates several ways to produce. He damages every meaningful pitch Kent throws and has enough discipline to avoid wasted swings. The combination of lineup volume, elite bat speed and dominance against left-handed pitching makes him a top-three combo-stat fit on the slate.

Key stats: 84.4% Contact, 89.1% Z-Contact, 6.6% SwStr. Projected sixth.

Stott owns one of the safest contact profiles on the slate. He handles Brown’s four-seamer with a .367 xwOBA, .469 xSLG and 19.2% Whiff rate and does not have a decisive whiff failure against Brown’s secondary pitches.

The sixth lineup position and the moderate-confidence pitcher read keep him fifth rather than higher.