James Wood broke through at the plate Saturday, but it did not change the outcome for Washington. The 23-year-old went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the Nationals' 10-2 loss to the Cubs on March 28.
Wood's first home run of the young season came in the fourth inning off Cade Horton. It was a welcome swing after he opened the season 1-for-9 with five strikeouts, and it gave Washington at least one clean offensive moment in a lopsided defeat.
The homer also fits the early shape of a Nationals lineup that is still trying to find its footing. In a young group, Wood remains a player fantasy managers and Washington can keep starting with confidence because one cold opening did not last long enough to dent his role or his power outlook.
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What matters next is whether Wood can turn one timely swing into the start of a steadier run at the plate. For Washington, that would help a lineup that needed far more than one solo shot to keep pace with Chicago.
