The Nationals enter this four-game series with the Pirates, looking to continue the momentum from their three-game sweep in Milwaukee this past weekend. Cade Cavalli will take the mound against the reigning Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes to open the week in Pittsburgh.

The Washington Nationals offense piled up 12 hits on Sunday and did most of its damage through two rallies, breaking through with a four-run seventh before doubling down in the eighth. James Wood showed up early with a solo homer and later helped spark the seventh-inning surge, while CJ Abrams and Jacob Young each had multi-hit, multi-run games to keep traffic constant. The biggest swing came from Keibert Ruiz, whose two-run single in the eighth broke a 6-6 tie and capped a wild attack that pressured Milwaukee pitching despite only hitting one home run.

On the mound, Washington got a solid outing from Zack Littell, who allowed three runs over five innings before the bullpen unraveled briefly in the seventh, highlighted by a three-run homer that killed the lead. Washington’s relievers ultimately held up, with PJ Poulin delivering 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win and Gus Varland closing it out cleanly. Despite surrendering four home runs overall, the Nationals limited further damage late, locking down the final two innings to secure the 8–6 win and complete the sweep.

On Deck…

The Pittsburgh series will continue on Tuesday night as Miles Mikolas takes the mound against Mitch Keller. Despite entering the evening with the same number of strikeouts this season, the results could not be more different for the two. Mikolas enters with a 12.41 ERA, looking to get back on track against a former division rival.

In the hole…

It will be Jake Irvin taking the hill for the Nationals on Wednesday, as the righty looks to get back on track against the Pirates, who have yet to announce their starter for that 6:40 P.M. game.