On a crisp September afternoon at Truist Park, the Washington Nationals put an emphatic end to the Atlanta Braves’ remarkable 10-game winning streak, toppling the home team 4-3 in a game that showcased the best of both clubs’ young talent and resilience. The loss, coming on September 24, 2025, not only snapped Atlanta’s longest run since 2022 but also provided a glimpse into the future for both franchises—one powered by emerging stars, the other looking to rebound from a year battered by injuries but brimming with optimism for 2026.
The headline act for the Nationals was undoubtedly James Wood, whose two towering home runs—including his 30th of the season—powered Washington’s offense. Wood’s blasts came off Braves pitchers Bryce Elder and Tyler Kinley, the latter homer ending Kinley’s impressive 19 1/3-inning scoreless streak, which had been the longest active run in the majors. Wood racked up eight total bases and drove in two runs, while teammate Josh Bell added his 21st home run of the year and contributed five total bases. Daylen Lile chipped in with three total bases and an RBI, helping the Nationals build a 4-1 lead by the eighth inning.
Despite the loss, the Braves put up a valiant fight, mounting a late rally that fell just short. Bryce Elder, who has weathered his share of ups and downs this season, delivered another quality start, allowing three runs and striking out seven over seven innings. This outing marked the sixth time in his last seven starts that Elder surrendered three runs or fewer over at least six innings—a remarkable turnaround for a pitcher who had posted a 6.29 ERA in his previous 21 starts. Braves manager Brian Snitker was quick to praise Elder’s resurgence, stating, “For me, he vaulted himself right into the picture for next year. It was good to see what he overcame and how he finished.”
The defeat was a rare blemish during a late-season surge that saw Atlanta win 10 of 11 games, a run that injected new life into a team officially eliminated from postseason contention just a week prior. According to Snitker, the streak was a testament to the Braves’ character: “It shows that we don’t have a team that’s gonna cash it in and just play the string out. These guys are out there like we’re trying to fight our way into the playoffs. And you can’t ask for anything more than that. That’s a really good trait in a group of guys.”
But perhaps the most compelling subplot of the afternoon was the continued emergence of rookie right-hander Hurston Waldrep. Called up on August 2, 2025, after refining his pitch mix in Triple-A, Waldrep has quickly entrenched himself as a cornerstone of Atlanta’s future rotation. He capped his rookie campaign with a 6-1 record, a sparkling 2.88 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts in just 56 1/3 innings. Waldrep’s transformation—from a rocky big-league debut in 2024 to one of the most reliable arms on the staff—has been nothing short of remarkable. “He’s been great,” Snitker said. “He’s come a long way; a really long way. And it’ll be good for him going into the offseason and his training program. When he gets to spring training, he’s going to have a better idea of what he’s in for.”
Waldrep himself was reflective, saying, “I think it sets a really good standard for next year. I think it puts me in a great spot to go and do everything that I work for on a daily basis. I think I’m exactly where I need to be, no more, no less.” The 23-year-old’s maturity and work ethic have already won over teammates and coaches alike, with Snitker adding, “Hurston’s a very competitive young man. And just to see the growth in him from last year and now is really, really cool.”
The Braves’ optimism for 2026 extends beyond Waldrep. Despite a season marred by injuries to nearly every member of their Opening Day rotation—Reynaldo López, AJ Smith-Shawver, Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Grant Holmes all spent extended stints on the injured list—the club has discovered surprising depth. Joey Wentz, Elder, and promising prospect JR Ritchie have all contributed valuable innings, while the projected rotation for next season could feature a healthy mix of veterans and rising stars, including Sale, Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, and Waldrep. López, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery after just one start, remains in the mix, with the Braves publicly stating they haven’t discussed moving him to the bullpen. Holmes, meanwhile, is hoping to avoid UCL surgery through rest and rehabilitation.
Another bright spot for Atlanta has been the performance of reliever Tyler Kinley, acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the Colorado Rockies. Before surrendering Wood’s second homer on Wednesday, Kinley had posted a microscopic 0.41 ERA and 0.73 WHIP in 22 appearances for the Braves, quickly becoming a trusted late-inning option for Snitker. “My God, it’s been better than I ever anticipated,” said the manager. “It makes it look good for ’26, to have a guy like that, a back-end of the bullpen guy.” The Braves are expected to exercise Kinley’s $5 million option for next season, a move that could prove to be a bargain if his dominant form continues.
As the regular season winds down, attention has also turned to Snitker’s future. The 69-year-old skipper, who has spent nearly five decades with the Braves organization and is in the final year of his contract, has not yet decided whether he’ll return in 2026. “I would think it’s probably mainly up to him, if you were to ask me,” said veteran pitcher Chris Sale. “He’s been doing this a long time, and I think that he’s earned the right to give his nod one way or the other. I know that we, as players, we respect him, and guys love playing for him.” Snitker, for his part, has remained focused on finishing the season strong and hasn’t tipped his hand regarding his plans.
For the Nationals, Wednesday’s victory was a much-needed boost, snapping a six-game skid against the Braves over the previous 10 days. The team’s young core, led by Wood, Bell, and Lile, continues to show promise, offering hope for the seasons ahead. The Nationals’ lineup combined for three home runs and made the most of their opportunities, leaving just three runners on base and capitalizing on Atlanta’s rare pitching mistakes.
As both teams look ahead—the Braves to a final regular-season series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Nationals to building on their recent successes—the game served as a microcosm of a season filled with adversity, adaptation, and, above all, hope. Atlanta’s winning streak may have ended, but the lessons learned and the talent unearthed during this stretch could pay dividends for years to come. With a young ace in Waldrep, a resurgent Elder, and a bullpen anchored by Kinley, the Braves’ future looks as bright as ever. The Nationals, meanwhile, have every reason to believe that their own young stars are ready to shine on the game’s biggest stage.
With just a few games left in the regular season, all eyes will be on Atlanta to see how they finish—and whether Snitker will return to guide this promising group into a new era. For now, fans can savor a hard-fought contest that, while ending a streak, may have set the stage for even greater drama in 2026.
