Over the past few months, left-hander MacKenzie Gore has had a tough time on the mound, looking noticeably confused and lacking his usual vigor. However, there’s been a positive turnaround in his recent performances. His pitching speed has started to pick up, and his accuracy has notably improved. This has sparked optimism among Nationals fans, who are hopeful that Gore will be able to harness his exceptional pitching abilities to achieve great results in 2025.
MacKenzie Gore Shines Bright Once Again
The Struggles
Gore had a strong start, with a 2.91 ERA in the first two months. However, he struggled in June and July, posting a 5.13 ERA and a 7.62 ERA, respectively. His performance didn’t improve much in August, as he gave up five runs in his first three starts. His velocity decreased from 96-97 MPH to 94-95 MPH, and he allowed many baserunners. In July, his WHIP was 1.88 and he walked 16 batters in 26 innings. It seemed like everything was going wrong for Gore.
Righting the Ship
After a rough 2 1/2 months, Gore has started to show why he was highly regarded. In his last three starts, he has pitched six innings each time and allowed a total of four runs. He has only walked two batters in those 18 innings, which is very encouraging. Gore’s last two starts have been particularly promising because he has gained velocity. He averaged over 96 MPH on his fastball for the first time since early July in his start against the New York Yankees. Additionally, he was also averaging 96 mph in his dominant outing against the Miami Marlins.
Gore’s start against the Marlins was one of his best this season. The left-hander was perfect through 5 1/3 innings before getting into trouble in the sixth. Despite this, Gore managed to limit the damage, allowing only one run. This was a significant achievement for Gore, as he had previously struggled with containing damage and often allowed big innings, even after starting strong. Not crumbling after his perfect game bid turned into a Marlins rally was a big step for the young pitcher.
Gore Moving Forward
Gore unquestionably possesses the highest ceiling of any Nationals pitcher and has the potential to be an ace if he can bring it all together. Nevertheless, he has not managed to complete a full season without hitting a wall. This upcoming 2025 season will be monumental for the left-hander. With Gore turning 26 in February, he is primed for a breakout year, but he needs to show consistency. For Gore to take the next step, he will have to do a few things. He needs to maintain his velocity and command throughout a full season, improve the command of his breaking balls, and limit big innings. If Gore can do those things, he can become one of the premier left-handed pitchers in the game. If he cannot, he will settle in as a frustrating fourth starter who you are constantly waiting on to take the next step.
For the Juan Soto trade to have the impact it’s expected to, Gore and CJ Abrams need to translate their potential into consistent performance. Although Abrams is currently in a slump, Gore’s recent starts have demonstrated to Nationals fans why he has the potential to be a frontline starter.
Main Photo: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
