Game 15: Nats at Brewers

Zack Littell will be on the mound as the Nationals seek a surprising series sweep in Milwaukee

After the way things went at home earlier this week, how many of you would have predicted the Nationals would not only win the first two games of this series at the Brewers but do so allowing a grand total of four runs? Yeah, right.

It’s been quite the turn of events, with Jake Irvin allowing a three-run homer in the first inning Friday night and then Clayton Beeter allowing a solo homer in the ninth inning Saturday night and the rest of the pitching staff tossing 16 scoreless innings in between. That elite pitching has helped make up for some sporadic offense and some really sloppy baserunning.

But here we are, with the Nats going for a potential series sweep this afternoon, hoping to see continued improvement from Zack Littell. The veteran right-hander wasn’t all the sharp in his season debut in Philadelphia but looked and felt much better last time out against St. Louis. He’s fully built up now, so you would think Blake Butera can push him towards the 100-pitch mark if desired. It’s worth noting both Beeter and Cionel Pérez pitched each of the last two nights and are probably unavailable today, so Butera’s bullpen options will be limited.

The Brewers have Brandon Woodruff to the mound, and the 33-year-old right-hander has been one of the sport’s best for a while now … when healthy. Woodruff has missed considerable time over the last two seasons with shoulder and lat injuries, and after a strong 2026 debut against the Rays he was roughed up by the Red Sox for five runs in 5 2/3 innings last time out.

As you know, I’m not in Milwaukee this weekend, but I’ll have a write-up covering the entire series that publishes Monday morning, and then I’ll be back with full coverage in Pittsburgh.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Where: American Family Field
Gametime: 2:10 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Roof closed

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

RHP Zack Littell

BREWERS
2B Brice Turang
C William Contreras
DH Christian Yelich
CF Garrett Mitchell
1B Jake Bauers
RF Sal Frelick
LF Brandon Lockridge
3B David Hamilton
SS Joey Ortiz

RHP Brandon Woodruff