-1745819772711.png){kind=logo}
The Nationals came home feeling pretty good about themselves, but they have since lost four of five on this homestand and now need a win today to avoid a weekend sweep at the hands of the Cardinals.
Offense is key, especially early offense. The Nats need to find a way to jump on Miles Mikolas and play out in front instead of behind for a change. History isn’t on their side: In five starts against them over the last three seasons, Mikolas owns a 2.15 ERA and 1.023 WHIP. Even when the veteran right-hander has struggled in the larger picture, he has always seemed to pitch well against this particular opponent.
So the pressure may be on MacKenzie Gore to author one of his gems. The left-hander continues to lead the majors in strikeouts (68 of them in only 46 innings), and he’s done an excellent job of minimizing damage, even when he’s perhaps not in peak form. The Nats hope he can be at least that today, though they surely would love for him to be in true peak form and help them salvage a Mother’s Day win before hitting the road.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 87.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 81 degrees, wind 4 mph out to center field
CARDINALS
LF Lars Nootbaar
SS Masyn Winn
2B Brendan Donovan
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Willson Contreras
DH Iván Herrera
C Yohel Pozo
RF Jordan Walker
CF Victor Scott II
RHP Miles Mikolas
NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Alex Call
LF James Wood
1B Nathaniel Lowe
DH Josh Bell
2B Luis García Jr.
CF Dylan Crews
3B José Tena
C Riley Adams
LHP MacKenzie Gore
