Game Information

Matchup: Cleveland Guardians (8–6) vs. Washington Nationals (4–10)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Zach Plesac (0–0, 9.00) | RHP Chad Kuhl (0–0, 8.10)
Game Info: Saturday, April 15, 2023, | 4:05 p.m. ET l Game #15 / Home #8
Location: Nationals Park | Washington, D.C.
TV/Radio: MASN | Radio: 106.7 The Fan / Nationals Radio Network

Washington Nationals Story Line: The Washington Nationals celebrate the legacy of №42 on Jackie Robinson Day

The Washington Nationals fell to the Cleveland Guardians, 4–3, in the first game of this three-game series on Friday night.

Trevor Williams turned in another strong start, allowing one earned run on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. Luis García reached base safely four times, including his first home run of the season and two walks, to lead the offense.

What you Need to Know

• Over the last three games, Nationals starters have combined to pitch to a 3.14 ERA (5 ER/14.1 IP) and a .240 opponents’ batting average with just two doubles and one home run allowed.
• This season so far, Nationals opponents have a .222 batting average on ground balls, sixth-best in the National League (MLB avg: .245). In 2022, the Nationals had the third-high-est opponents' batting average on ground balls in Major League Baseball (.260). Washington has turned 15 double plays this season, tied for second-most in Major League Baseball

• First baseman Dominic Smith is off to a strong start on defense and is one of three NationalLeague first basemen to accumulate at least one defensive run saved, per FanGraphs.com. According to Baseball Savant, Smith (1 OAA) is one of eight National League first basemen with at least one out above average.

Chad Khul

He is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in two career starts against the Guardians and has 11 strikeouts, issued three walks, and has not allowed a home run to them. He was saddled with the loss on June 16, 2022, in Colorado despite allowing just two earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work in the 4-2 defeat.

In his return to Colorado on April 9, Khul held the Rockies to three earned runs in 5.0 innings before heading back out for the sixth. He allowed a walk and a double to lead off the inning before being lifted for a reliever...Both runs came around to score. He issued four walks, his most in a game since July 29, 2022, vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (4).

Lineups (Subject to Change)