Game 77: Nats at Rays

Cade Cavalli takes the mound a day after originally planned as the Nationals attempt to even their weekend series at Tropicana Field

Friday night’s series opener at Tropicana Field did not go particularly well for the Nationals. The lineup was held to two runs. Miles Mikolas, who wound up pitching in bulk relief a day earlier than originally planned, gave up a couple of home runs. And the end result was a 5-2 loss, a rare series-opening loss for this team.

The good news: Cade Cavalli is good to go today after being unable to pitch Friday due to food poisoning. And if the right-hander can’t provide length, the bullpen is in good shape, with only PJ Poulin unavailable after opening the first two innings Friday. Everyone else has now had at least two days off and should be fresh.

The Rays are starting a left-hander in Ian Seymour, so Blake Butera is going with a right-handed-heavy lineup. That includes Curtis Mead and Andrés Chaparro batting directly behind James Wood at the top. (Luis García Jr. surely would replace Chaparro once Tampa Bay goes to a right-handed reliever.)

As you know, I didn’t make the trip to St. Petersburg this weekend, so no postgame coverage today. But check back Sunday evening for a full weekend roundup after the series is over.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at TAMPA BAY RAYS
Where: Tropicana Field
Gametime: 4:10 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Indoors

NATIONALS
DH James Wood
3B Curtis Mead
1B Andrés Chaparro
SS CJ Abrams
RF Dylan Crews
LF Daylen Lile
CF Jacob Young
2B Nasim Nuñez
C Keibert Ruiz

RHP Cade Cavalli

RAYS
DH Yandy Diaz
1B Jonathan Aranda
CF Cedric Mullins
3B Junior Caminero
2B Richie Palacios
LF Chandler Simpson
RF Victor Mesa Jr.
C Hunter Feduccia
SS Taylor Walls

LHP Ian Seymour