Washington Nationals southpaw Foster Griffin has been the single most profitable pitcher in MLB for bettors this season. Tonight, this journeyman lefty takes the mound in Atlanta for a series opener against the Braves, and it feels like this could be his final start with the Nats before Monday’s trade deadline. It’s a 7 ET first pitch at Truist Park, and the stakes for Washington, and for Griffin, could not be higher.
Griffin’s Absurd Season Has The League Scrambling
Can we talk about Foster Griffin for a second? The guy is 31 years old, on his third career team, and just signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal. Before 2026, his MLB resume was seven relief games for Kansas City and Toronto, with a brutal 6.75 ERA in eight innings. This season? He’s an All-Star with a mind-boggling 12-2 record, a 2.76 ERA, and a 1.03 WHIP. Bettors who slapped a $100 wager on Washington to win each of his 21 starts would be up a whopping $1,393, with the Nats going 17-4 in those games! That’s the definition of “sell high,” right? Griffin, a former first-round pick in the 2014 draft, spent three seasons in Japan’s Central League with the Yomiuri Giants, posting a 2.57 ERA over 315 2/3 innings. He came back to the USA rocking a sinker, sweeper, and splitter along with his fastball, cutter, curveball, and changeup. But even with the new arsenal, an 82.9% strand rate and a .249 BABIP hint that this level of dominance just isn’t sustainable. Everyone, including the Nationals front office, knows this isn’t normal.
Washington’s Wild Card Mix and Deadline Decision
The Nats are sitting at 55-55, right in the thick of the NL wild card mix. But they already showed their hand last weekend, shipping third baseman Curtis Mead to Boston for promising young pitcher Connelly Early. That move screamed “looking toward the future,” and you know they’re thinking the same thing about Griffin. It would be easier to list the teams *not* interested in him, especially since he’s a southpaw and on such a cheap, expiring deal. That opens the door wide for small-market contenders like Tampa Bay or Milwaukee. The Rays, for one, have reportedly had scouts at almost all his starts. For the Nationals, it’s about maximizing value before he walks after the year. This game is huge for Griffin’s trade stock and for Washington’s overall direction.
Tonight’s game is set for 7 ET, with Griffin on the mound against the Braves. If you’re feeling spicy, there’s a same-game parlay floating around for Atlanta +1.5 and Under 1.5 first-inning runs at -105. Whether you’re betting on it or just watching, keep a close eye on Griffin. This could be his last stand in Washington, and whatever happens, it’s going to tell us a lot about the Nats’ future before the deadline hits.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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