The Washington Nationals are back at it this afternoon, hoping to turn the tide against the Milwaukee Brewers after a tough 4-1 loss yesterday. Despite hanging tough through much of the game, a costly first-inning error by Brady House at third base opened the door for three unearned runs—and that was all the Brew Crew needed to secure the win. Now, the Nats face the daunting task of avoiding a series sweep at home, where they've struggled mightily this season with a 3-12 record, the worst in the majors.
Today's lineup features some notable shakeups as the Nats adjust from facing a left-handed pitcher to a right-hander. Curtis Mead, Brady House, and Joey Wiemer all get a breather, making way for Luis Garcia Jr. at first base (batting second), Jose Tena as the designated hitter (batting seventh), and Jorbit Vivas at third base (batting eighth). The most intriguing move? Jacob Young slides into the third spot in the order, putting his speed on the basepaths to set the table for CJ Abrams to drive him in. It's a strategic shift that could ignite the offense early.
On the mound, the Nationals are going with a bullpen game, starting with opener PJ Poulin before handing the reins to bulk man Zack Littell. The Brewers, meanwhile, counter with 24-year-old righty Logan Henderson, who will likely look to work through the lineup twice before turning it over to Milwaukee's bullpen. The Brewers' order is largely the same as yesterday, with Luis Rengifo at third base and William Contreras and Gary Sanchez swapping catcher and DH duties. One key storyline to watch: Brewers leadoff man Brice Turang, who homered twice off Littell back in April, will be avoided at least once thanks to Poulin's opening stint.
The Nationals haven't played terrible baseball overall in 2026, but their home woes are a glaring issue. With a chance to salvage the series and build some momentum, today's game is a critical test. Can the Nats finally find their footing at Nationals Park? Follow along in the comments and let's go Nats!