Everything was going the Nationals’ manner for many of yesterday’s recreation, as that they had a 6-1 lead coming into the sixth inning due to a 2-run Luis Garcia Jr. house run, a Keibert Ruiz single which ricocheted off the primary base bag, permitting CJ Abrams to attain, and a 3-run laser house run off the bat of James Wood.
The lead tightened after a 2-run homer by Dalton Rushing within the sixth inning off PJ Poulin, however the recreation got here fully unraveled after Cionel Perez let the primary 5 hitters within the eighth inning attain base, bringing in a single run earlier than he was pulled for Clayton Beeter, who received a drive out, sacrifice fly, and strikeout to finish the inning, however not with out 2 extra runs scoring to make it 7-6 Dodgers. They would tack on some insurance coverage within the ninth inning with a Teoscar Hernandez solo shot, but it surely wouldn’t matter, because the Dodgers received 8-6 to safe the collection sweep in DC.
The Nats have now misplaced 5 straight video games, regardless of the offense scoring a minimum of 5 runs within the final 4 video games. Nats’ starters rank final in ERA at 6.69, and the bullpen ranks twenty sixth at 5.85, ensuing within the general pitching unit rating because the worst in baseball with a 6.27 ERA and -1.1 fWAR. Outside of a robust begin for Foster Griffin in his return to MLB motion and Cade Cavalli preserving 2 sturdy lineups at bay, there have been only a few positives on the pitching aspect for the Nats.
The Nats will look to get again on track now throughout a 3-game homestand with the 5-4 St. Louis Cardinals, who’re coming off their first collection lack of the 12 months to the Detroit Tigers. The file appears stable for the Cardinals, however the numbers recommend their success could not final, as they at present rank twenty fourth in staff OPS and twenty sixth in staff ERA. The offense is at present led by 23-year-old Jordan Walker, a as soon as prime prospect who could lastly be realizing his true potential in 12 months 4. Matthew Liberatore is their ace on the mound, and the Nats will get a take a look at him throughout recreation two of the collection.
STL: RHP Andre Pallante (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
WSH: RHP Zack Littell (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Pallante was sharp in his first begin of 2026, working 5 scoreless innings in a no-decision in opposition to the Mets, though he did stroll 3 hitters and struck out simply 3. Walks and the house run ball plagued Pallante in 2025, that means endurance can be key for Nats hitters tonight to allow them to get forward in hitter counts.
Littell was nearly as marketed in his 5 innings of labor following an opener in opposition to the Phillies, giving up 3 runs and dealing his manner out of hassle quite a few instances. He’ll now make his house debut in opposition to a struggling Cardinals lineup, the place hopefully he can lower down on the onerous contact he was giving up in Philly.
STL: LHP Matthew Liberatore (0-0, 1.64 ERA)
WSH: RHP Cade Cavalli (0-0, 2.79 ERA)
Liberatore has completed all the pieces he can to earn that first win of the 12 months in his first two begins of 2026, giving up one run in 5 innings in opposition to the Rays on Opening Day and one run in 6 innings in opposition to the Mets, getting the no-decision each instances. He’ll now must face a Nats lineup that ranks prime 5 in staff OPS at present, and has had success in opposition to left-handed pitching to start the 12 months.
Like Liberatore, Cavalli has seemed sharp in his first two begins of the 12 months, however nonetheless doesn’t have a win to point out for it, as he earned a no-decision after going 6 innings and permitting 1 run in opposition to the Phillies. He’s stored sturdy lineups within the Cubs and Phillies at bay, and now will get a weaker Cardinals lineup in his first house begin of the 12 months.
STL: RHP Michael McGreevy (0-1, 2.53 ERA)
WSH: RHP Miles Mikolas (0-2, 14.46 ERA)
McGreevy was nice in his first begin of 2026, going 6 scoreless in opposition to the Rays, earlier than getting roughed up a bit by the Tigers, giving up 3 runs in 4 2/3 innings of labor, incomes him the loss. The righty has struggled with left-handed hitters up to now, and he’ll face a Nats lineup full of spectacular left-handed hitters on Wednesday afternoon.
Despite how a lot it appears like a typo, Mikolas does, in actual fact, have a 14.46 ERA by way of his first 2 Nats begins, averaging a run after which some allowed per inning. Granted, he’s confronted 2 superb lineups within the Cubs and Dodgers, however so has the remainder of the rotation, and their ERA’s don’t have 2 numbers earlier than the decimal. He’ll look to get again on monitor in opposition to a struggling Cardinals lineup, but when additionally they get to him early, it could already be time to swap him to the lengthy aid position.
Unlucky scheduling, or a extra critical situation?
3-6 will not be the place the Nats wished to be after a robust 3-1 begin to the 12 months, however they’ve additionally needed to face a gauntlet of playoff-level groups to start the season. For me, the true take a look at of what to anticipate from these Nats going ahead begins tonight, in opposition to a extra center to decrease finish of the pack NL staff within the Cardinals. Can they present they belong and take the collection to get again on monitor, or will they roll over and make issues worse?
