Richard Lovelady
Breakdown
Performance
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May 23, 2026
Secures fourth save
Lovelady earned the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over Atlanta, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Analysis
After opening Friday's contest, Lovelady got the call with a two-run lead in the ninth inning Saturday and slammed the door on 11 pitches. Clayton Beeter pitched each of the previous two nights after returning from injury while Gus Varland threw 12 pitches Friday, so Lovelady drew the assignment against two lefties and the switch-hitting Ozzie Albies. The versatile southpaw is now 4-for-4 in save chances with a 2.38 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB across 22.2 frames, while also recording three holds and opening three games.
May 22, 2026
Serving as opener Friday
Lovelady will serve as the Nationals' opener in Friday's game versus Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Analysis
Lovelady has been used in a variety of roles by the Nats this season -- this will be his third opener assignment, but he has also collected three saves. The lefty will likely pitch just one inning before handing things off to Miles Mikolas, who is set to handle the bulk of the workload Friday.
May 20, 2026
Collects third save of 2026
Lovelady earned the save in the Nationals' 9-6 win over the Mets on Tuesday after striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth.
Analysis
With both Gus Varland and PJ Poulin being deployed in Monday's extra-inning loss, Nationals manager Blake Butera turned to Lovelady to protect the team's three-run lead. Lovelady answered the call, needing just 10 pitches (eight strikes) to close out Tuesday's game, and capped things off by striking out Carson Benge. Lovelady has a 2.61 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB across 20.2 innings this season.
