Game Details: Pittsburgh Pirates (23-41, fifth in the NL Central vs. Washington Nationals (27-35, fifth in the NL East)
Pitching Matchup: RHP JT Brubaker (4–5, 3.90) | LHP Jon Lester (0–2, 4.19)
Date: Monday, June 14, 2021 | 7:05 p.m. | Game #63 / Home #33
Location: Nationals Park | Washington D.C.
TV: MASN | Radio: 106.7 The Fan / Nationals Radio Network

Game Time Weather via the National Weather Service:
Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Some storms could be severe, with hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Low around 65

Today in Nationals History:

Washington Nationals Game Storyline:

After splitting a four-game series with the best team in the National League: the San Francisco Giants, the Nationals now get one of the worst teams in baseball at home.

Pitching Matchup

LHP Jon Lester (0-2; 4.19 ERA)

Jon Lester's previous start just lasted 3 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. The southpaw had an elevated pitch count (91) and was unable to find the strike zone. Lester issued a season high-four walks in the no-decision outing. The left-hander has yet to win a game in 2021.

The veteran lefty pitched with the Cubs for six seasons and consistently faced the Pirates in inter-division clashes. Lester is 13-6 in his career against Pittsburgh with a 3.17 ERA.

RHP JT Brubaker (4-5; 3.90 ERA)

The Pirates will be throwing out their number-two starter JT Brubaker to face the Nationals. After posting a 2.58 ERA in his first seven starts, Brubaker has regressed lately, giving up 15 runs in his last four starts. His last outing was against the Dodgers where he pitched 4 ⅔ innings and allowed three runs against them.

GameNotes

Not So Hot TurnerTrea Turner is struggling a bit at the plate. In his last 19 games, Turner is hitting a .240 with just two extra-base hits while striking out 18 times and walking seven times. Hopefully, in this series, Turner can snap out of this "slump" and return to hitting the ball and making some havoc on the base path.

Kyle Schwarber Leading Off Again...Well, if you told us at the beginning g of the season that Kyle Schwarber would be leading off and also being productive, we would have laughed at you. However, that is where we are now. In his last three times in the leadoff spot, Schwarber has hit three home runs. In yesterday's game against the Giants, Schwarber hit his 11th and 12th home runs of the season in the number one spot. Currently he has a batting average of .222 with 23 runs, 44 hits, and an OPS of .759

#5 is on Fire....

In yesterday's afternoon game, Josh Harrison continues to see the baseball. The thirty three year old, went 4-4 with three singles and one double, he also scored a run in the Nationals half of the fifth inning. Harrison is now batting .279 with a total of 51 hits, four home runs, 20 RBI's and a OPS of .753. Over the past seven games, Harrison has a batting average of .400 with two RBI's, eight hits, six strikeouts and two walks.

Injury Report

06/12/2021 - Daniel Hudson 10-day IL (06/10) ( Elbow )
06/11/2021 - Max Scherzer left last start, is "?" next start ( Groin )
06/08/2021 - Austin Voth 10-day IL (06/07) ( Nose )
06/02/2021 - Stephen Strasburg 10-day IL (06/02) ( Neck )
05/23/2021 - Will Harris 60-day IL (05/23) ( Hand )
04/19/2021 - Luis Avilan is out for season ( Elbow )

An important note, about Max Scherzer. According to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reported today, that Scherzer was in full uniform and did a bullpen session. Zuckerman further states that Scherzer cut short the bullpen session and talked with Manager Davey Martinez, Jim Hickey and trainers. Jessica Camerato of MLB.com, reported that Max did in fact experience discomfort during his bullpen session and will not make his next scheduled start on Wednesday. [Read the full article here]

Game Lineups (Subject to Change)

Washington Nationals

Kyle Schwarber - LF
Trea Turner - SS
Juan Soto - RF
Josh Bell - 1B
Josh Harrison - 2B
Yan Gomes - C
Starlin Castro - 3B
Victor Robles - CF
Jon Lester - P

Pittsburgh Pirates

A. Frazier 2B
K. Hayes 3B
B. Reynolds CF
J. Stallings C
P. Evans RF
K. Newman SS
E. Gonzalez 1B
K. Tom LF
J. Brubaker P