The Washington Nationals have been nothing if not bold and interesting in 2026, which means that I will try my best to make sure these 13 predictions for the second half fit the same criteria.The first iteration of this exercise went about as well as anyone expected (poorly), but hey, the whole point was to be bold and explain the Nationals’ process, and I think I achieved that.I said the Nationals would lose 100 games and have three All-Stars, and that was 50 percent correct. I added that Daylen Lile would hit 20 triples, when in reality I should’ve picked almost anyone else in the lineup to break out (though I still can’t quit believing in him, as one of my later predictions here indicates). And … I said the Nationals would break the record for players used in a season. They have shuffled through 27 pitchers this season, and will likely see many more in the second half. And yet, when you have the best offense in MLB … you stick with that cohort.I’m taking a lot more shots here and hoping I do better than 0.5 out of 3. Here are my boldest predictions for the second half:1. James Wood sets the integration era (1947-present) record for runsNo one in the integration era has scored more runs in a season than Jeff Bagwell, who touched home plate 152 times in 2000 to best Ted Williams’ 150-run effort in 1949. After a few close calls in recent years (Ronald Acuña Jr. had 149 runs in 2023; Shohei Ohtani had 146 last year), I think Wood — on pace for 148 — will get there.The Nationals’ 23-year-old slugger would have to score 64 runs across the team’s final 65 games, which would mean that the protection behind him maintained its production, even as it has already overperformed expectations; and he has to score even more often, even after his metrics declined in the second half last year; and he has to play in almost every game, or close to it, even as the team prioritizes his long-term health above all else.I think he will do it. He isn’t getting moved out of the leadoff spot. We’ve gotten no indication that the rest of the offense will regress. Wood just had his best week of the season, and with all due respect to Bagwell or Williams, they weren’t exactly Usain Bolt on the bases. Speed could be the difference.CJ Abrams walks the red carpet at 2026 MLB All-Star Game.Charlotte Varnes2. Someone who made fewer than two appearances with the Nats in the first half leads the bullpen in full-season WARThe Nationals are on pace to shatter the blown saves record, so there is no bold prediction there. It is also difficult to see a path towards significant improvement down the stretch, so I’m not inclined to make a bullish prediction. The Nationals will seek help from a slew of arms who were not contributors in the first half. Really, they don’t have a choice.Max Kranick is set to make his Nationals debut against the Athletics after the All-Star break. Eddy Yean sat 98 mph in his MLB debut (his only outing this season) and should be back up soon. Jack Sinclair is striking out enough batters in Triple-A Rochester to warrant a look, and the team could add at least one MLB or close-to-the-majors arm at the deadline.