Game 120: Reds at Nats
The Nationals have a chance to pull off their first series sweep since April if they can beat Cincinnati in today's early 12:15 p.m. ballgame
Good morning from Nationals Park, where this weekend series wraps up with an extra-early, 12:15 p.m. ballgame. Yes, it’s another Peacock broadcast, though you can also watch on NBCSN (if your cable/satellite system carries it).
The Nats have a chance to do something today they’ve done only once all season and sweep a three-game series. They pulled that feat off against, of all teams, the Brewers way back in April. But they haven’t even been in this position, entering the series finale with a shot at a sweep, since mid-June, when they won two straight over the Royals but lost the finale.
This is going to be a bullpen game for Blake Butera and Co., who decided to wait until later in the week to add another starter to replace Zack Littell. So today that means Brad Lord will be the first pitcher on the mound, probably good to go three innings (pending his pitch count). Look for Trevor Williams to pitch as well. And don’t be surprised if Jake Bird make his Nationals debut at some point. The veteran right-hander (one of four pitchers acquired from the Yankees in the Luis García Jr. trade) was recalled from Triple-A Rochester this morning and is available out of the bullpen. He replaces lefty Carson Palmquist, who was optioned after Saturday night’s win.
It’s a very left-handed lineup against Cincinnati right-hander Brady Singer, which means José Tena batting third and Jorbit Vivas batting sixth. If you’re not a fan of that, I suggest you eagerly anticipate Terry Francona summoning a lefty from his bullpen so Butera can counter with Andrés Chaparro and Brady House.
CINCINNATI REDS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 12:15 p.m. EDT
TV: Peacock/NBCSN
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Partly cloudy, 90 degrees, wind 9 mph out to right
REDS
SS Elly De La Cruz
1B Sal Stewart
LF JJ Bleday
C Tyler Stephenson
DH Eugenio Suarez
RF Hector Rodriguez
CF Dane Myers
2B Matt McLain
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
RHP Brady Singer
NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
1B Abimelec Ortiz
DH José Tena
LF Daylen Lile
RF Dylan Crews
3B Jorbit Vivas
2B Nasim Nuñez
C Keibert Ruiz
CF Jacob Young
RHP Brad Lord