Game 37: Twins at Nats

The Nationals try to get back on track after Tuesday night's lopsided loss, hoping Miles Mikolas can continue his recent upward trend

Not that anyone would describe Miles Mikolas’ recent outings as “good,” but let’s be fair about this: The right-hander has been better. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his last five appearances. The caveat: He hasn’t thrown more than four innings in any of those appearances.

The Nationals had used PJ Poulin as an opener for Mikolas three straight times, but they gave him the chance to start last week. And he’ll get the chance to start again tonight against the Twins, who don’t have as left-handed-heavy a lineup as some other recent opponents.

Really, though, tonight’s game might be more about what the Nats do at the plate than on the mound. Though they still rank top-five in the majors in runs scored for the season, they’ve been held to a total of eight runs through the first four games of this homestand. And they’re averaging only 3.7 runs over their last 11 games, a stretch that includes a 14-run explosion in New York.

The Nationals have another new member of the bullpen tonight: Zak Kent. The 28-year-old right-hander, who was just claimed off waivers from the Twins three days ago, was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to fill the void created by Tuesday night’s demotion of Andre Granillo.

MINNESOTA TWINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Cloudy, 71 degrees, wind 10 mph out to right

TWINS
CF Byron Buxton
SS Brooks Lee
LF Trevor Larnach
DH Josh Bell
1B Kody Clemens
C Victor Caratini
2B Luke Keaschall
RF Matt Wallner
3B Tristan Gray

RHP Bailey Ober

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

RHP Miles Mikolas