Chase Burns of the Cincinnati Reds showcased impressive performance against the Washington Nationals, raising speculation about his potential for the Cy Young Award.
Key points
Chase Burns pitched against the Washington Nationals
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo (40) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Washington Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin (27) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) slides into second base in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) slides into second base in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Q&A
What did Chase Burns achieve in the game against the Nationals?
Chase Burns delivered an outstanding performance, leading to discussions about his candidacy for the Cy Young Award.
How did Chase Burns' performance compare to other pitchers?
His performance stood out significantly, especially in comparison to Washington Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin.
What are the implications of Chase Burns' performance for the Reds?
Burns' success could bolster the Reds' chances in the league and enhance his reputation as a top pitcher.
When did the Reds play against the Nationals?
The game took place on May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
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Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) hits a homer in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) is embraced by teammates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tejay Antone (70) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke (49) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds Chris Paddack looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Santillan (64) delivers a pitch in the tenth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Fans wait for the call on a review for a hit made by Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) in the tenth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Washington Nationals designated hitter Daylen Lile (4) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the tenth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Nationals won 8-7.
Washington Nationals pitcher PJ Poulin (50) and first baseman Curtis Mead (45) embrace each other after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 8-7 in ten innings, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Santillan (64) looks on from the dugout after the Washington Nationals won 8-7 after ten innings, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
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Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo (40) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
1 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo (40) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
2 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Washington Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin (27) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
3 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) slides into second base in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
4 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) slides into second base in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
5 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) hits a homer in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
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Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
7 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) is embraced by teammates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
8 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
9 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tejay Antone (70) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
10 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke (49) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
11 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds Chris Paddack looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
12 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Santillan (64) delivers a pitch in the tenth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
13 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Fans wait for the call on a review for a hit made by Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) in the tenth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
14 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Washington Nationals designated hitter Daylen Lile (4) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the tenth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Nationals won 8-7.
15 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Washington Nationals pitcher PJ Poulin (50) and first baseman Curtis Mead (45) embrace each other after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 8-7 in ten innings, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
16 / 16
Cincinnati Reds drop second game to Washington Nationals. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Santillan (64) looks on from the dugout after the Washington Nationals won 8-7 after ten innings, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
Forget Rookie of the Year. Chase Burns canât win it. Heâs not eligible.
Maybe the Cincinnati Redsâ youngest pitcher will have to settle for the Cy Young Award.
Too early?
Not when a guyâs this talented, this overpowering, and pitching this well.
Did anybody say it was too early to call Paul Skenes a threat to win every available league award the day he broke into the majors in 2024?
You know, Paul Skenes, the National Leagueâs reigning Cy Young winner â the guy Burns just passed on MLBâs ERA leaderboard with his latest scoreless start.
Chase Burns pitched six shutout innings in the Reds' 15-1 victory over the Washington Nationals in the final game of their three-game series May 14. He has allowed just one run in his last three starts combined (2-0, 19 innings, 0.47 ERA).
Chase Burns pitched six shutout innings in the Reds' 15-1 victory over the Washington Nationals in the final game of their three-game series May 14. He has allowed just one run in his last three starts combined (2-0, 19 innings, 0.47 ERA).
Nobody has been better for the Reds in the early going than Burns, at a time the Reds never have needed a semblance of pitching stability more, and few in the game have done more on the mound than the 24-year-old right-hander so far this season.
When he pitched another six scoreless innings to beat the Washington Nationals 15-1 in the final game of a six-game homestand, he not only helped salvage a homestand split (earning two of the Redsâ three wins), but also stretched his streak of allowing two or fewer runs to six consecutive starts. He has allowed just one run in his last three starts combined (2-0, 19 innings, 0.47 ERA).
Seven weeks into the season, he certainly has put his name firmly on the list of early front-runners for All-Star considerations â and just as certainly earned a place on anyoneâs early Cy Young-contender lists.
âHe has the potential to do it, 100%,â veteran teammate Nick Lodolo said.
âI wouldnât even want to put that on his head,â Lodolo added, âbut itâs impressive for sure. Heâs learning quick. Just from last year to this year. Heâs really confident in his stuff, and heâs a good competitor. When you take that kind of stuff and you compete at the level he does, thatâs what youâre gonna get.â
Itâs hard to overstate the value of what it has meant for a Reds team that has watched its once-vaunted pitching depth all but disappear one injury at a time since the season began, eventually turning May into a continuous white-knuckled, white-water ride that dumped them from first place to last in the division, five games out entering Burnsâ latest start.
âRegardless of what the waters (are), itâs fun to watch a good young pitcher get better,â manager Terry Francona said. âWeâre kind of witnessing it right in front of our eyes, and itâs fun to watch.â
Thatâs the thing that people in the game call one of the most impressive things about Burns: how quickly he has learned and grown from an elite, raw talent into an elite, big-league pitcher in the 22 months since he was drafted second overall out of Wake Forest.
âWe told him: learn fast,â Francona said. âAnd he is. Heâs getting it. And heâs gonna get better.
Again, youâve gotta retain your health. But thereâs a lot to really not just like, but love.â
Burns, who allowed just two hits and struck out seven in that win over the Nats, seemed to take pride in that as much as the actual results.
âThe learning curveâs getting smaller,â he said.âI feel like Iâve learned so much from last year to this year. Even from start to start. Just throwing stuff in the zone more, when to throw a slider, throwing it for more strikes âŠ
âIâm very happy with the way Iâm pitching, but that could change at any moment,â he added. âI really just care about my process, how I go about my business throughout the week, staying healthy throughout the week, arm care, bullpen, stuff like that. And then let game time do what it does. And whatever happens happens.â
Whatever happens?
Even before he beat the Nationals in his ninth start of the year, Burns ranked second in the National League in bWAR, fifth in ERA and was in the top 10 in strikeouts.
Hereâs how he compares to Skenes, widely considered the best pitcher in the league, after that Nationals start (both have made nine starts):
ERA: Burns 1.87, Skenes 1.98
W-L: Burns 5-1, Skenes 6-2
Strikeouts: Burns 55, Skenes 56
Innings: Burns 53, Skenes 50
All of these comparisons and talk about postseason awards are only as good as the next three-quarters of the season.
But what Burns has done so far might make him the teamâs most valuable contributor during a stretch in which the Reds had the majorsâ worst record in May (2-10) before Burns took the mound against the Nats.
And if he keeps up anything close to this, regardless of awards, it could make him one of the biggest reasons the Reds have a chance to do any of the big things they have planned this summer. And fall.
âFor me it doesnât really matter. It would be great,â Burns said, âbut at the end of the day Iâm just trying to help the team win and get to our final goal.â
