In latest episode of the Nationals Pothedcast, exciting news from Nats camp was shared as Manager Dave Martinez announced that MacKenzie Gore will be the Opening Day starter against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 27, 2025. Gore, who appreciated the straightforward announcement from Martinez, expressed his excitement for the opportunity, focusing on being the best version of himself rather than seeking personal accolades. At just 26 years old, this marks a significant milestone for Gore, who had a solid performance in the 2024 season with a 3.90 ERA across 32 starts. The Nationals are putting their faith in him as he continues to develop following his acquisition in a trade involving Juan Soto in 2022.

As spring training progresses, the competition within the Nationals' roster is heating up, particularly for the fifth starter spot and the bench and bullpen positions. Gore's recent performance has been promising, showcasing his pitching command despite a loss against the St. Louis Cardinals in his latest start. Additionally, the Nationals made several roster moves, including reassigning players to minor league camp and optioning Darren Baker to Class AAA Rochester. With final roster decisions looming, fans are eager to see how the team will shape up for the upcoming season, especially considering the conservative offseason approach and the return of last year's closer, Kyle Finnegan, at a more favorable rate.