The Washington Nationals have won or tied their past six series. Starting Monday, they will get a chance to avenge their last series loss when they host the Miami Marlins.
Washington took two of three from the San Diego Padres over the weekend, giving the Nationals consecutive series wins over the Padres, Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves — three teams currently in playoff position.
The Nationals’ last series loss came May 8-10 in Miami, when they took the opener but dropped the final two games. Miami limps into Washington having lost five straight while the Nationals, who lead the majors in run scored (324) and are fourth in slugging percentage (.421), have won six of eight.
“The culture and the environment in that clubhouse right now is unbelievable,” manager Blake Butera said after Sunday’s 4-2 win. “Just the attention to detail, the work ethic, the drive to want to get better every single day. It’s so much fun to work with these guys.”
Miami sends right-hander Sandy Alcantara (3-4, 4.66 ERA) to the mound against right-hander Washington’s Cade Cavalli (3-3, 3.62) in the opener.
Alcantara is looking to put his past two outings far behind him. After giving up six runs on nine hits in six innings of a loss to the Atlanta Braves on May 21, he allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings of a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on May 26.
He gave up five homers in the two losses — more than the four he allowed in his first 10 starts combined — and saw his ERA shoot up over one full run.
Against the Blue Jays, Alcantara hit four batters and allowed six runs in the sixth.
“Tough time getting the ball down,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “There were just some pitches left elevated, kind of more middle. Sometimes when he had count leverage, they put some good swings on.”
Alcantara is 8-6 with a 3.55 ERA in 17 starts against the Nationals. He took a no-decision in a 5-2 Miami win over Washington on May 10, allowing two runs over six innings.
Cavalli has pitched at least 5 2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his past four starts. Last Tuesday, he went six innings to beat the Guardians, allowing a run on five hits while striking out seven and walking two.
He took a no-decision against Alcantara and the Marlins on May 10, allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings.
James Wood hit a two-run homer and Luis Garcia Jr. added a solo shot in Sunday’s win. Wood, who has reached base in 15 of his past 16 games, has 16 homers and 39 RBIs on the season. He has raised his average from .231 to .272 since May 3.
“It just seems like he’s on time for everything,” Butera said. “He’s getting pitched so hard, too, that it’s so impressive. … He’s seeing the ball out of the hand pretty well, and he’s laying off some tough pitches, too.”
Wood is fourth in the Majors with 50 walks.
The Marlins were routed 10-1 in New York on Sunday as the Mets completed a sweep. Owen Caissie had an RBI double for Miami, which allowed double-digit runs for the first time this season.
Janson Junk, the Marlins’ scheduled starter Sunday, was scratched and placed on the 15-day injured list with right shin inflammation.
–Field Level Media
