The Washington Nationals will finish up their three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight, with the first pitch scheduled to be at 7:45 p.m. EDT. The Nationals will be sending RHP Michael Soroka (3-6, 5.40 ERA) to the mound and will face RHP Miles Mikolas (4-6, 5.26 ERA) from the Cardinals.

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Miguel Cairo earned his first win as the Washington Nationals’ interim manager in an 8-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals by making strategic lineup adjustments and fostering team engagement. Departing slightly from the previous manager, Davey Martinez’s approach, Cairo inserted right-handed hitters Amed Rosario and Alex Call into the lineup to exploit Cardinals starter Andre Pallante’s unusual reverse splits, while also ensuring bench players remained active and involved. This tactical move paid off early, as the Nationals jumped to a quick lead thanks to a three-run homer by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe in the very first inning. Lowe’s timely power continues to be a key offensive asset despite a modest overall OPS.

The Nationals extended their lead with a productive rally in the fourth inning, featuring contributions from the lower part of the order, including doubles by Josh Bell and Call and singles from Lowe, Brady House, and Jacob Young. Rosario’s towering 434-foot homer and James Wood’s thunderous 115.9 mph exit velocity home run later in the game further cemented the team’s dominance. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Gore, the Nationals’ All-Star left-hander, delivered a commanding performance on the mound, allowing just one run over six efficient innings while striking out seven and keeping the Cardinals’ hitters off balance with weak contact. Gore’s strong outing was bolstered by the rare offensive support that has eluded him at times this season.

Cairo emphasized the importance of scoring early and keeping the entire roster engaged, noting the team’s strong record when they score in the first inning. He also dedicated the win to Davey Martinez, recognizing the foundation Martinez built with the players and coaching staff. The victory not only snapped a losing streak but also showcased Cairo’s ability to adapt and motivate the team, blending strategic lineup choices with a collective effort on both offense and defense. This promising start to Cairo’s tenure as interim manager highlights his thoughtful leadership and the Nationals’ potential moving forward.

On Deck…

Tomorrow, the Nationals will kick off their last three-game series before the All-Star break by visiting the Milwaukee Brewers for a weekend series. The Nationals are scheduled to send LHP Mitchell Parker (5-9, 4.72) to the mound and are scheduled to face RHP Quinn Priester (6-2, 3.59) from the Brewers.

In the hole…

On Saturday, the Nationals will play game two of three against the Milwaukee Brewers, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EDT. The Nationals are scheduled to send LHP Shinnosuke Ogasawara (0-0, 13.50) to the mound and are scheduled to face RHP Brandon Woodruff (1-0, 1.50) from the Brewers.