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Today, the Washington Nationals will send right handed pitcher Jake Irvin to the mound and will face Chad Patrick from the Milwaukee Brewers.

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On Deck…

Tomorrow, the Washington Nationals will continue their road trip against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field with first pitch at 7:10 p.m. EDT. The Nationals are scheduled to send left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin to the mound and are scheduled to face right handed pitcher Brandon Sproat from the Brewers.

Foster Griffin is coming off 5.0 innings of one-run ball on April 5 against the Dodgers.

In the hole…

On Sunday, the Nationals will finish up their three game series against the Brewers with the first pitch at 2:10 p.m. EDT. Then the Nationals will travel to Pittsburgh where they will kick off a three game series on Monday.

The Nationals are scheduled to send RHP Zack Littell (0-1, 3.60) to the mound and are scheduled to face LHP Kyle Harrison (1-0, 2.61).

James Wood has been on an incredible tear at the plate, going 7-for-15 (.467) with three home runs, seven RBI, and seven runs scored over his last four games. During that stretch, he homered in three straight games from April 5–7, a first in his career, showing just how locked in he’s been. Of his 11 hits so far this season, seven have gone for extra bases (three doubles and four home runs), and on Wednesday he scorched a 116.0 MPH single his hardest-hit ball of the year and the fifth-hardest in all of Major League Baseball.

Wood’s hot streak has vaulted him into the top tier of National League hitters, where he ranks near the leaders in runs scored (T-2nd), home runs (T-3rd), extra-base hits (T-5th), and total bases (10th). His success against left-handed pitching remains a standout strength as well; since the start of last season, his 13 homers off southpaws trail only Kyle Schwarber and Shohei Ohtani among left-handed hitters.

James Wood’s present surge isn’t just a brief hot streak it’s an early sign that his immense potential is translating into sustained big-league production. For the Washington Nationals, his emergence as a consistent power threat adds a crucial middle-of-the-order presence and energizes a young lineup still finding its identity. Beyond the box score, his ability to handle left-handed pitching and crush elite velocity suggests that he’s evolving into the kind of cornerstone player who can anchor the franchise for years to come. If he continues trending upward, Wood could quickly become one of the breakout stars of the 2026 season.

CJ Abrams has quietly become one of the most consistent hitters in the Nationals’ lineup, reaching base safely in 10 of his first 11 games this season and recording hits in eight of his last nine. Over that stretch, he’s gone 11-for-35 (.314) with four home runs, 12 RBI, six walks, four stolen bases, and eight runs scored showcasing his mix of power, speed, and improved plate discipline.

Abrams’ recent surge reflects the steady growth in his offensive approach, particularly in his improved ability to draw walks and work deeper counts, adding another layer to his game as the Nationals’ dynamic leadoff presence.

Abrams’ strong start signals that his breakout second half last season wasn’t a fluke it was a preview. As he continues to refine his approach at the plate, his on-base skills and power have the potential to transform Washington’s offense. His blend of speed and pop at the top of the order sets the tone for the team’s success, and his growing confidence as a table-setter and run producer could make him one of the National League’s most exciting shortstops in 2026.

Brady House is off to a strong start, leading the Nationals and ranking tied for fourth in the National League with five multi-hit games this season. He’s hit safely in six of his 10 starts, going 13-for-43 (.303) with three doubles, two home runs, five RBI, four walks, and seven runs scored.

Over those 10 starts, he’s posted an impressive .362 on-base percentage and a .512 slugging percentage, demonstrating his ability to both make consistent contact and drive the ball with authority. Perhaps most notably, House’s plate discipline has shown clear improvement—he’s drawn four walks in just 48 plate appearances (8.3% walk rate) after managing only eight walks in 274 plate appearances (2.9%) across 73 games last season.

For a young hitter still settling into big-league pitching, House’s progress at the plate is a promising sign of refinement and maturity. His uptick in walks indicates a better understanding of strike-zone control and a more patient approach, traits that often separate good hitters from great ones.

As he continues to adjust and contribute in the middle of Washington’s lineup, House’s combination of power and discipline could make him a cornerstone piece in the Nationals’ long-term offensive plans.

Right hander Jake Irvin will take the mound for his third start of the 2026 season. He has a 1-1 record with an 8.00 ERA over 9.0 innings of work where he has given up eight earned runs, walked three, struck out 11 and has a WHIP of 1.56.

In his last start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Irvin pitched 4.0 innings giving up six earned runs over eight hits, struck out four and walked two and got the loss.

2026 Arsenal: 4 Seam Fastball (30%); Sinker (21%); Curveball (19%); Cutter (15%); Slider (9%); Changeup (6%)

Right handed pitcher Jake Irvin is 0-5 career against the Milwaukee Brewers over six appearances. Irvin has pitched a total of 28.2 innings, where he struck out 22 walked 15 and has a 6.59 ERA.

In his last outing against the Brewers on August 2, 2025, Irvin pitched 4.0 innings, giving up five earned runs, eight hits, one home run and striking out two and got the loss.

The Brewers enter tonight’s game with a 8-4 record and are in first place in the N.L. Central, however, they have lost two in a row and are looking to break that current streak.

The Brewers have qualified for the postseason seven times in the last eight seasons and three seasons in a row. Additionally, the Brewers are just two games away
from making the postseason in nine straight seasons (2017-25), missing out in both
2017 and 2022 by a single game.

Milwaukee has won the NL Central in four of the last five seasons and three seasons in a row.

against the Washington Nationals

Last year, the Brewers swept the Washington Nationals series both in Milwaukee and in Washington D.C. In the last match up on August 3, 2025 the Brewers defeated the Nationals 14-3. The last time the Nationals defeated the Brewers was on August 4, 2024 at Nationals Park where the score was 4-3 where left hander Mitchell Parker was credited for the win.

The Nationals have only faced the Brewers once in the playoffs back in 2019, when the Nationals defeated the Brewers 4-3 in the NL Wild Card Game.

In his last outing against the Kansas City Royals right handed pitcher Chad Patrick pitched 5.0 innings, giving up no earned runs, four hits, three walks and three strike outs leading to the win. In his first game of the 2026 season against the Chicago White Sox on March 28th, Patrick got a no-decision after 4.1 innings, and giving up one earned run, on five hits, striking out four and walking one.

Patrick has yet to face the Washington Nationals in his career.

2026 Arsenal: Cutter (34.4%); Sinker (26.9%); 4-Seam Fastball (25.6%); Slurve (10.0%); Changeup (3.1%)

2025 Highlights: Went 3-8 with a 3.53 ERA in 27 games (23 starts) for Milwaukee...Had four stints with the club (Opening Day–July 5, Aug. 18–19, Aug. 24, and Sept. 9–end of season). The team went 8-15 in his starts, recording five quality starts...Ranked among National League rookie leaders in starts (1st, 23), strikeouts (1st, 127), and innings pitched (2nd, 119.2).

Made his Major League debut on March 29 at the New York Yankees tossing the seventh inning of a 20-9 loss (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR). First MLB strikeout was J.C. Escarra; allowed a two-run homer to Oswald Peraza.

Patrick made first Major League start was on April 1 vs. Kansas City (4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB—1 IBB, 5 K), receiving a no-decision in a 5-0 win. Earned first career win on April 6 vs. Cincinnati (5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR).

Set a career high with nine strikeouts over 5.0 innings on June 23 vs. Pittsburgh.

Day: 5-1 | Night: 3-3 | Home Record: 5-1

Current Streak: L2 | Last Five: 2-3 | Last Ten: 6-4 |

A.L. Teams: 8-4 | N.L. Teams: 0-0 | N.L. East: 0-0