Coming off a 14-run loss is never how you want a series to end, but the Nationals should be content with taking the result of their Thursday night contest against the Cincinnati Reds after winning the first two games. A Luis Garcia Jr. and Daylen Lile takeover saw them glide to a 10-4 victory in Game 1, with an extra innings Lile home run and PJ Poulin appearance coming to the rescue in Game 2.
Baltimore has gone 2-2 through their 1st 4 series in May, most recently taking down the Yankees at home.
They’ve shown flashes of brilliance and of dysfunction, and the Nats will look to capitalize on the latter in a 3-game set this weekend.
Game 1 – Friday 6:45 PM EST
WSH: RHP Zack Littell (1-4, 6.94 ERA)
BAL: RHP Shane Baz (1-4, 5.48 ERA)
After two decently successful outings as an opener, Littell finds himself back in the rotation for the series opener. It’s been a far cry from the steady starter that Washington was expecting to get when they brought him in, and he’s heavily struggled to miss bats. Navigating through Baltimore’s hottest hitters will be a challenge, but going up against a fellow scuffling starter makes this matchup more bearable on paper.
Baz was Baltimore’s big trade acquisition over the offseason, but he hasn’t come close to meeting the expectations placed on him. He’s given up 5 earned runs in each of his last 2 starts, with a staggering 8 walks allowed. The Nats need to be patient with him early, and force him to fall back into the command issues that have plagued the start to his Orioles’ tenure.
Game 2 – Saturday 4:05 PM EST
WSH: RHP Cade Cavalli (1-2, 4.02 ERA)
BAL: RHP Chris Bassett (3-2, 5.21 ERA)
Cavalli remains as frustrating as ever, with his two 10-strikeout performances to end April followed up by just 2 and 4 Ks respectively, as well as failing to complete 6.0 innings in either appearance. He hit three Miami batters his last time out, a number that needs to be severely limited against Baltimore if he wants to give the Nats a good chance to win.
It’s been a tale of two extremes for the veteran righty so far in 2026, having allowed 1 or fewer runs in 4 starts this season, while giving up 4 or more in his other 4 starts. His flip-flopping nature through the first 2 months of the season is a trend that the Washington lineup should look to continue, after he was stellar against the Athletics in his last start, throwing 6.0 innings of 1-run ball.
Game 3 – Sunday 1:35 PM EST
WSH: RHP Miles Mikolas (1-3, 7.00 ERA)
BAL: RHP Brandon Young (3-1, 4.15 ERA)
It’s hard to find definitive positives with how Mikolas has thrown the ball in his age-37 season, but one thing that can be said is that his ERA has lowered in every start he’s made since April 8th. While neither was spectacular by any means, his two outings in May have been serviceable, throwing a combined 8.2 innings and giving up 3 earned runs. Asking too much out of him is far from realistic at this point in time, but an adequate appearance that gives the offense a chance to get going would certainly be welcomed.
A disastrous end to the month of April for Young has been followed up by a pair of above average starts to begin May. Neither the Marlins nor the Yankees were able to fully pounce on the 2nd-year righthander, and Washington is next in line to attempt the same feat. Nothing he does is noticeably special, but hitters have generally been unable to put up crooked numbers against him, outside of one 10-run meltdown complements of the Astros.
