Game 118: Reds at Nats

The Nationals finally return home, hoping for better results than they experienced during a brutal road trip

The last time they played on South Capitol Street, the Nationals owned a winning record and were one game out of a wild-card berth. James Wood and Luis García Jr. were in the lineup. Zack Littell was on the mound. Yeah, a few things have changed since then, and not for the better.

The team that returns home tonight to open a weekend series against the Reds does not resemble the one that left town eight days ago. But this is an opportunity to change the script back into something positive, especially for the young players who are going to be a part of the plan here beyond this season.

Like Cade Cavalli, who tonight makes his league-leading 25th start, seeking his ninth win and to get his ERA below 3.50. You want to talk about positive developments this season, he’s high on the list. One of the most important things Cavalli has done of late is display the kind of consistency you expect from a front-line, big-league starter. In each of his last five starts, he’s gone six innings and allowed two or fewer runs.

At the plate, the Nats will try to find more consistency, especially with runners in scoring position after an abysmal road trip from a situational hitting standpoint. CJ Abrams is again in the leadoff spot, where he figures to become a regular when facing a right-hander until James Wood returns from his oblique strain. Abimelec Ortiz also looks to be the new No. 2 hitter against righties, and he’s off to a solid start, going 3-for-12 with a double and a homer.

FYI: After a long and very eventful trip, I’m taking tonight off. So please keep the conversation going among yourselves, and I’ll be back Saturday for game two of the series.

CINCINNATI REDS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV, FOX 5 (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Chance of storms, 82 degrees, wind 8 mph out to center

REDS
SS Elly De La Cruz
1B Sal Stewart
LF JJ Bleday
C Tyler Stephenson
DH Eugenio Suarez
CF Hector Rodriguez
RF Noelvi Marte
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
2B Matt McLain

RHP Chase Petty

NATIONALS
DH CJ Abrams
1B Abimelec Ortiz
3B Brady House
LF Daylen Lile
RF Dylan Crews
C Harry Ford
SS Nasim Nuñez
2B José Tena
CF Jacob Young

RHP Cade Cavalli