Game 8: Dodgers at Nats

The Nationals look to bounce back from a frustrating home opener, sending Jake Irvin to the mound against L.A.

As aggravating as Friday’s home opener was, the slate has been wiped clean and there’s a new ballgame to play today. Albeit against the same intimidating opponent.

The Nationals host the Dodgers again this afternoon, and they’ll hope to get a better pitching performance while also maintaining the quality offensive performance they pulled off Friday, when they scored six runs and saw everybody in the lineup record a hit. The challenge gets tougher with Tyler Glasnow on the mound for L.A., the right-hander coming off a strong season debut last weekend against the Diamondbacks (two runs, four hits in six innings).

Blake Butera has written out his seventh different batting order in eight games. Only James Wood in the leadoff spot has remained consistent in every game to date. Curtis Mead gets the start today at first base, with Luis García Jr. shifted to DH after some shaky play in the field the last few days.

Jake Irvin, meanwhile, looks to build off his own encouraging debut Sunday in Chicago (two runs, three hits in five innings). Irvin did give up a pair of solo homers in that game, but that’s basically all he gave up. He only walked one and struck out seven, continuing a positive trend from spring training. It may be impossible for him to keep the ball in the park against this Dodgers lineup, but the best thing he can do is avoid walks and keep them from putting runners on base for their big boppers.

FYI: I’m not at Nationals Park today. I’m taking my first day off of the season so I can attend a family event this evening. If any major news develops, I’ll try to jump in and offer my thoughts at some point. If not, please do keep up the conversation among yourselves in the comments section!

LOS ANGELES DODGERS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Partly cloudy, 85 degrees, wind 13 mph out to left

DODGERS
DH Shohei Ohtani
RF Kyle Tucker
SS Mookie Betts
1B Freddie Freeman
C Will Smith
3B Max Muncy
CF Andy Pages
2B Alex Freeland
LF Alex Call

RHP Tyler Glasnow

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

RHP Jake Irvin