Game 12: Cardinals at Nats

The Nationals are hoping for better results from Miles Mikolas and their bullpen as they attempt to take the series from St. Louis

It’s the final day of the homestand, and the Nationals need a win to avoid a series loss to the Cardinals, who have loomed all along as the least-intimidating opponent on their early-season schedule. The Nats would be in position to go for the sweep today had they simply been able to protect a late three-run lead Tuesday night, but you already know how this bullpen has been doing to late leads.

What they really could use today is a quality start. Does Miles Mikolas have one in him against his former team? The 37-year-old has not looked good since departing St. Louis for D.C., and his home-opening start against the Dodgers was cringe-worthy. Nobody is suggesting his job is on the line yet, not at this still-early stage on the season. But if he can’t at least give his team a chance to win today … well, that doesn’t exactly bode well for his chances beyond this matchup.

The Nationals lineup, on the other hand, is firing on all cylinders right now. James Wood has homered in three straight games. CJ Abrams has hit in eight straight games and has reached base in all 10 games he’s played this year. Daylen Lile continues to hit the ball hard, Brady House looks like a whole new guy and the role players are contributing as well. Today they’ll face right-hander Michael McGreevy, who tossed six no-hit innings against the Rays in his season debut but then gave up three runs on seven hits in only 4 2/3 innings in his subsequent start against the Tigers.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Sunny, 53 degrees, wind 8 mph right to left

CARDINALS
2B JJ Wetherholt
C Iván Herrera
1B Alec Burleson
RF Jordan Walker
DH Nolan Gorman
SS Masyn Winn
3B Ramon Urías
LF Thomas Saggese
CF Nathan Church

RHP Michael McGreevy

NATIONALS
RF James Wood
1B Luis García Jr.
3B Brady House
LF Daylen Lile
SS CJ Abrams
2B Nasim Nuñez
DH José Tena
C Drew Millas
CF Jacob Young

RHP Miles Mikolas