It was a frustrating three days for the Nationals in Miami, where they lost three straight to the Marlins by a grand total of four runs. They continue to play close games, but they’re still learning how to consistently win a majority of those games.
They’ll give it another try this weekend with an interleague series against the Tigers, a team that’s also rebuilding and is also performing a little better than expected so far this season. Detroit is 19-22 despite a run differential of minus-48. (For comparison’s sake, the Nats are 18-26 with a run differential of minus-24.)
Like the Nationals, the Tigers don’t hit a lot. They’re last in the American League in runs, hits and on-base percentage, second-to-last in homers, walks, slugging percentage and OPS. Catcher Jake Rogers leads the team with five homers. Shortstop Javier Báez leads the team with 19 RBIs. Veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd, in his second stint with Detroit, is on the mound tonight. He was roughed up by the Mariners in his last start, allowing five runs and failing to get through the second inning.
Jake Irvin makes his fourth career start for the Nats, hoping to do what he’s done through the majority of his first three and just avoid the one bad inning that plagued him last week against the Mets.
Joey Meneses is back from his paternity leave and the Nationals have optioned Jake Alu back to Rochester to make roster room.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. DETROIT TIGERS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 71 degrees, wind 11 mph out to right field to left field
NATIONALS
RF Lane Thomas
2B Luis García
DH Joey Meneses
3B Jeimer Candelario
1B Dominic Smith
LF Stone Garrett
C Keibert Ruiz
CF Alex Call
SS CJ Abrams
RHP Jake Irvin
TIGERS
3B Zach McKinstry
SS Javier Báez
CF Riley Greene
1B Spencer Torkelson
2B Andy Ibáñez
3B Nick Maton
LF Akil Baddoo
C Eric Haase
RF Matt Vierling
LHP Matthew Boyd