Let's take a look at the projected pitching matchups for the series against the Padres.

Friday, July 16, RHP Erick Fedde (4-6, 4.59 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Paddack (4-6, 5.38 ERA) | First Pitch: 7:05 pm

Erick Fedde will kick off this series for Washington, looking to regain his form from late May and early June. Two July starts saw Fedde pitch only 9.1 innings and give up nine runs. His last start against the Padres saw him pitch 4.1 innings and give up six earned runs in a July 6th loss. In four games against San Diego, Fedde is 0-2 with an ERA of 5.40.

Starting out for the Padres is pitcher Chris Paddack, who has been inconsistent this season as well and has an ERA of 5.38, 1.18 points higher than his career number. On July 7th against the Nationals, Paddack gave up eight earned runs in only two innings of work before being pulled from the game. In 2021, Paddack has only gone longer than six innings one time, pitching seven innings against the Phillies on July 2nd.

The game can be seen on MASN and heard on 106.7, the Fan.

Saturday, July 17, LHP Patrick Corbin (6-7, 5.40 ERA) vs. LHP Blake Snell (3-3, 4.99 ERA) | First Pitch: 7:05 pm

In game two of the series, the Nationals starter is Patrick Corbin, who has had a very inconsistent season. This is highlighted in just his two previous starts against the Dodgers and Padres. July 1st against LA, Corbin pitched 4.2 innings and gave up five earned runs and July 7th against the Padres saw him pitch six innings and only give up two earned runs. If we get a good Corbin, the Nationals have a good shot.

Against Corbin, the Padres are pitching their lefty Blake Snell. His first season in San Diego has been average with his 4.99 ERA that sits 1.56 points higher than his lifetime ERA. Snell has only pitched once against the Nationals in his career, pitching seven innings and giving up no runs back in 2018. On the season, Snell has been very inconsistent in his ability to go deep into games, averaging only 4 ⅓ innings per game this season.

Sunday, July 18 RHP Max Scherzer (7-4, 2.66 ERA) vs. RHP Joe Musgrove (5-7, 2.93 ERA) | First Pitch: 1:05 pm

The final game of this series features ace Max Scherzer who will be looking to rebound from his previous start, also against the Padres on July 8th. In an unusual outing, Max looked like his best self striking out 5 Padres going into the fourth inning. Then it all unravelled for him as he gave up 7 ER in that inning. On the season though, Max has been strong as seen from his 2.66 ERA and he is coming off a start in the All-Star game. Scherzer should be ready to get the second half started.

Facing Scherzer in the finale is probably the Padres best performing pitcher this season, Joe Musgrove. Off to a strong individual start, Musgrove sports a 2.93 ERA while the Padres have not capitalized much off of his performances with his record at 5-7. He started against the Nationals on July 5th where he was not at his best, giving up five earned runs in five innings pitched. Against Washington in his career, Musgrove is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA over four starts.

Series Notes: San Diego Padres

• The Padres currently sit 3rd in the NL West, behind the Giants and Dodgers and 2nd in the NL Wild Card race
• Fernando Tatis Jr. leads the Padres in batting average at .286 and home runs with 28 while Manny Machado leads them in RBI with 60.
• In four games against Washington, the Padres have hit six home runs.
• In the 10 games leading into the All-Star break, San Diego stumbled in at 4-6.