Game 13: Nats at Brewers

Jake Irvin hopes to take some pressure off the bullpen, while Blake Butera hopes to counter Milwaukee's opener strategy with a balanced lineup

The road proved more kind to the Nationals than home did through the season’s first two weeks. Perhaps that will remain the case as they begin their second road trip of the season tonight. Like the first one, this will be no picnic, with three games in Milwaukee this weekend against the first-place Brewers and then four games in Pittsburgh next week against a reinvigorated Pirates franchise.

Given how much the bullpen worked (and struggled) during the homestand, the Nats would like nothing more than to get some quality (and lengthy) outings from their starters. First up is Jake Irvin, who had a solid season debut against the Cubs but was roughed up by the Dodgers. His career numbers against the Brewers are … uh, not good: 0-5 with a 6.59 ERA and 1.779 WHIP.

Milwaukee is shaking things up and using an opener tonight, with left-hander Aaron Ashby on the mound for the top of the first to face at least two of the Nationals’ left-handed hitters in James Wood and Daylen Lile. Right-hander Chad Patrick is expected to be the bulk guy who replaces Ashby at some point. Blake Butera is countering with his 11th different batting order in 13 games, this one going left-right-left-right-left-right-left-left-switch.

I did not make the trip to Milwaukee this weekend; it’s my only scheduled road series off in this opening month. But I’ll be watching from home tonight and will share my thoughts in the comments section below ...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Where: American Family Field
Gametime: 7:40 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Roof closed

NATIONALS
RF James Wood
1B Curtis Mead
LF Daylen Lile
3B Brady House
SS CJ Abrams
CF Joey Wiemer
DH Luis García Jr.
2B Jorbit Vivas
C Keibert Ruiz

RHP Jake Irvin

BREWERS
2B Brice Turang
C William Contreras
DH Christian Yelich
CF Garrett Mitchell
1B Jake Bauers
3B Luis Rengifo
RF Sal Frelick
LF Blake Perkins
SS David Hamilton

LHP Aaron Ashby