The Washington Nationals (9-13) head home to Washington, D.C. to take on the Baltimore Orioles (9-12) in the Battle of the Beltway
After disappointing series losses against the Miami Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Washington Nationals took care of business on the road against the Colorado Rockies, taking two of a three-game series. After a ten-game road trip, Washington currently sits in fourth place in National League East.
The Baltimore Orioles are coming off one of the worst losses of the season, losing 24-2 and dropping the series to the Cincinnati Reds. Starting the season 9-12 after back-to-back 90-plus win seasons is not ideal, and the root of this slow start could be attributed to the lack of a consistent starting rotation. However, with a deadly young lineup, Baltimore can heat up at any point during the season. Baltimore currently sits in fourth place in the American League East.
With a chance to move up in the division, Washington will try and rack up another series victory to start a seven-game home-stand.
KEY INJURIES
WASHINGTON:
- 3B/SS Paul DeJong (Nose)- 10-day IL
- SS C.J. Abrams (Hip)- 10-day IL
- RHP Michael Soroka (Biceps)- 15-day IL
- RHP Cade Cavalli (Elbow)- 15-day IL
BALTIMORE:
- OF Colton Cowser (Left Thumb)- 10-day IL
- RHP Kyle Bradish (Tommy-John)- 60-day IL
- RHP Zach Eflin (Right Lat)- 15-day IL
- RHP Grayson Rodriguez (Elbow/Shoulder)- 15-day IL
PITCHING MATCH-UPS
GAME ONE (4/22, 6:45 EST)
WAS: LHP Mitchell Parker (2-1)
- 1.85 ERA
- 1.11 WHIP
- 16 SO
The southpaw has become a key rotational piece for Washington, surprising fans with his incredible start in 2025. In his last start, Parker pitched well, going six innings and giving up four hits and one earned run. However, this wasn’t enough to give Washington the win, falling to Pittsburgh.
BAL: RHP Dean Kremer (2-2)
- 6.41 ERA
- 1.48 WHIP
- 13 SO
Dean Kremer has been a stable innings-eater for Baltimore over the past few seasons. Kremer threw well in his last start, going almost six innings and giving up four hits and one earned run, resulting in a Baltimore win.
GAME TWO (4/23, 6:45 EST)
WAS: RHP Trevor Williams (1-2)
- 5.95 ERA
- 1.63 WHIP
- 16 SO
After a sensational start to the season last year, Williams hasn’t been able to perform at the same level. However, Williams showed signs of progression in his previous start, going five innings and allowing three hits and one earned run. Even with this excellent performance, Washington again fell short of a win.
BAL: RHP Tomoyuki Sugono (2-1)
- 3.43 ERA
- 1.29 WHIP
- 8 SO
Sugono is a pleasant surprise for Baltimore, a team desperate for starting pitching. In his last start, Sugono went seven innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs, resulting in a Baltimore win.
GAME THREE (4/24, 6:45 EST)
WAS: LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-2)
- 3.41 ERA
- 1.21 WHIP
- 45 SO
MacKenzie Gore is showing signs of becoming the future ace for Washington. Even with the ups and downs, he has produced so far this season. In his last start, Gore threw six innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while posting a season-high thirteen strikeouts.
BAL: LHP Cade Povich (0-2)
- 6.38 ERA
- 2.07 WHIP
- 18 SO
The young southpaw has struggled so far this season. Povich’s last start resulted in an ugly loss, almost throwing four innings and allowing six hits and seven earned runs, resulting in a loss.
Washington played great baseball in Colorado, resulting in their first series win since their last home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Heading back home should help Washington, placing them in a more comfortable environment. With the injuries piling up early in the season, Washington is just hoping veterans throughout the lineup and rotation step up against a struggling Baltimore Orioles squad.