If you just glance at the surface of the MacKenzie Gore game log, you might think you’re looking at two different pitchers who happen to share the same jersey. It is a wild ride. One week he’s channeling prime Max Scherzer, and the next, he’s struggling to survive the fourth inning.
Honestly, that's the MacKenzie Gore experience.
You’ve got a guy who started the 2025 season by making history. On March 27, 2025, he walked onto the mound for Opening Day against the Phillies and absolutely dismantled them. Six innings. One hit. Zero walks. Thirteen strikeouts. He became one of only two pitchers in the history of the game to put up double-digit strikeouts and no more than one hit on Opening Day. It was the kind of performance that makes a front office feel like geniuses for that Juan Soto trade.
But then, the heat of the summer hit, and things got... complicated.
The Tale of Two Halves in the MacKenzie Gore Game Log
To understand where Gore is going in 2026, you have to look at the fracture in his 2025 campaign. He entered the All-Star break looking like a legitimate Cy Young candidate. We’re talking about a 3.02 ERA and a strikeout rate that was hovering north of 11 per nine innings.
Then the wheels didn't just fall off—they sort of wobbled until they flew into the stands.
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Over his final 11 outings, that ERA ballooned to 6.75. His WHIP jumped to 1.70. For those of us tracking the MacKenzie Gore game log for fantasy purposes or just Nats fandom, it was painful to watch. The velocity was still mostly there, usually sitting around $95\text{ mph}$, but the precision vanished.
Key Milestones from the 2025 Season
- Opening Day (March 27): 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 13 K. Pure dominance.
- The Mid-Season Dip (May 23): Exited early against the Giants with a stiff left thigh.
- The Bounce Back (August 10): 6 shutout innings against the Giants with 10 strikeouts, proving the "stuff" was still elite.
- The Final Stretch: A rough outing on September 22 against Atlanta where he lasted only 2 innings and gave up 4 runs.
Basically, Gore is a high-ceiling, low-floor left-hander. When he’s on, he’s the best player on the field. When he’s off, he’s fighting his own mechanics and a rising pitch count.
What the Statcast Data Actually Says
Numbers don't lie, but they do tell secrets. If you look at Gore's pitch mix from 2025, he’s still a four-seam fastball heavy pitcher, throwing it about $49%$ of the time. But the real story is the changeup.
In 2024, his changeup had a whiff rate of $51.2%$. That is absurd. In 2025, he tried to lean into that more, but the consistency wasn't always there. He also mixes in a curveball ($24%$) and a slider ($12%$).
The problem? He’s a flyball pitcher. Statcast shows he induces flyballs or line drives on about $61%$ of balls in play. In a park like Nationals Park, or if he gets traded to a place like Fenway (which the rumors are screaming about), those flyballs can turn into home runs real fast. He gave up 15 homers in 2024 and maintained a similar pace in 2025.
The Trade Rumors: Is Gore Leaving D.C.?
Right now, the hot stove is melting. More than half the league has reportedly checked in on Gore. The Washington Nationals are in a weird spot. They have Gore and Cade Cavalli at the top of the rotation, but the depth is thin.
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Reports from December 2025 suggest the Boston Red Sox are the frontrunners if a deal happens. They’re looking for a package centered around young lefty Payton Tolle.
Why would the Nats trade their ace?
- Value: His trade value might never be higher given his age (26) and team control through 2028.
- Consistency: The front office might be tired of the "Jekyll and Hyde" nature of his MacKenzie Gore game log.
- Rebuild Timeline: If the Nats don't think they can compete in the NL East by 2027, moving Gore for 3-4 high-end prospects makes sense.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If Gore stays in Washington, he’s the undisputed Opening Day starter again. He’s already shown he can handle the pressure. The goal for this year is simple: stamina.
He threw 159.2 innings in 2025. To be a true "ace," he needs to push toward 180. He also needs to lower that $1.35$ WHIP. You can't survive in the majors constantly pitching out of the stretch because you walked two guys in the third inning.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Monitor the First 15 Pitches: In Gore’s best games, he’s throwing $96+$ mph early and hitting the edges. If he’s sitting at $93$ or missing high early, it’s going to be a long night.
- Watch the Changeup Usage: If he can get that whiff rate back up over $45%$, he becomes unhittable.
- Check the Injury Report: Gore has a history of small, nagging issues—blisters, finger problems, and that thigh strain in 2025. A healthy Gore is a top-10 lefty in the league.
The MacKenzie Gore game log is a roadmap of a pitcher who is right on the edge of superstardom. He has the hardware, the history-making performances, and the "nasty" stuff. Now, he just needs the boring part: the ability to do it 32 times a year without the second-half collapse.
Whether that happens in a Nationals jersey or a Red Sox one is the $5.6\text{ million dollar}$ question.
For those looking to track his progress, keep an eye on his walk rate ($BB%$). In 2025, it sat around $9.4%$. If he can shave that down to $7.5%$ or $8%$, he won't just be an "exciting" pitcher—he'll be an All-Star lock. Pay attention to his early April starts in 2026; they usually dictate the rhythm for his entire season. If he replicates that Opening Day magic, we're in for a special year.