Washington finally ended an eleven-game losing streak. Currently at their lowest point in the season, things could continue to go even lower. Heading to Los Angeles to take on the stellar Dodgers, this could be the breaking point for the organization in 2025. As big of a test it is for the Washington Nationals, this is an even bigger test for MacKenzie Gore. Going up against arguably the best lineup in baseball, this is a chance to submit himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball with a stellar start tonight.
Los Angeles is red-hot coming into this series, and they have shown no signs of slowing down. Even with most of their rotation injured, their star-studded lineup has carried most of the weight this season. This series, at worst, is a slight hiccup, but this team is built for a deep playoff run come October.
MacKenzie Gore will kick things off for the Nats in LA, coming off a solid start of 6 innings and 2 runs allowed Sunday vs the Marlins. He went 6 innings and allowed runs in a start against the Dodgers back in April, and will be looking to repeat some of that success tonight. The lineup behind him remains pretty standard, without Daylen Lile and Keibert Ruiz out vs the left handed Clayton Kershaw and Alex Call and Jacob Young in.
seventy six. pic.twitter.com/lzCHTfM6YU
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 20, 2025
Things are going to be tough out of the gate for MacKenzie Gore, facing Ohtani as soon as the first pitch is thrown. The top half of a lineup does not get better than this, featuring superstars like Mookie Betts and Will Smith. Freddie Freeman out of the lineup is a sigh of relief, but not much of one, seeing the rest of the lineup is healthy and playing today.
Tonight’s #Dodgers lineup vs. Nationals: pic.twitter.com/m2RXL9LWsP
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 20, 2025
GAME INFO
Stadium: Dodger Stadium
Time: 10:10 EDT
TV: MASN 2
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7
There is nothing on the line for Los Angeles, and in reality, this isn’t a big series for the Washington Nationals. What is important is the growth the development of the young stars in Washington. MacKenzie Gore, James Wood, and CJ Abrams need to continue development while the rest of the roster finds their place and role.