Struggling Nationals and Orioles Look to Reignite Offenses in Weekend Series
Two slumping teams in desperate need of offensive production will meet as the Washington Nationals travel to face the Baltimore Orioles for a three-game interleague series beginning Friday night.
The Orioles have dropped nine of their last 11 games and were just swept at home by the Minnesota Twins, including a 4-0 shutout loss on Thursday. The team managed to score in only two innings during that series and has now been shut out six times this season.
“It’s not fun,” Orioles first baseman Ryan O’Hearn admitted. “Nobody is enjoying this. Everyone in here is fighting, and we know we have to keep pushing forward.”
Manager Brandon Hyde acknowledged the team’s offensive woes, noting players are struggling with timing—missing fastballs and misjudging offspeed pitches.
The Nationals aren’t faring much better. They’ve lost eight of their last nine games, including three of four to the Atlanta Braves this week. Washington managed just two runs in Thursday’s 5-2 defeat and has scored more than two runs in only two of their last seven games. In that same stretch, they went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and had 10 straight batters retired during Thursday’s game.
Despite the loss, Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams said the team is trying to carry some positive momentum into Baltimore after battling a strong Braves squad.
In a prior meeting last month, the Nationals won two of three games against the Orioles.
On the mound for Baltimore will be left-hander Cade Povich (1-3, 5.55 ERA), making his first start since May 6. In his last outing, he gave up five runs over six innings in a loss to the Twins. However, he was solid against the Nationals in April, allowing just one run over 6 2/3 innings in a 2-1 victory.
Washington will counter with left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-4, 3.59 ERA), who has not won in his last four starts but has consistently racked up strikeouts, recording at least six in each of his last seven appearances. Gore also faced Baltimore last month, surrendering two runs over six innings in a losing effort. In two career starts against the Orioles, he holds a 3.75 ERA without a win.
The Nationals expect infielder Luis García Jr. to return for the series after missing time on paternity leave. In his absence, manager Dave Martinez shuffled the infield, with Jose Tena taking on additional time at third base.
“I know I’ll be playing more third base here,” Tena said. “But I’m staying ready for second too. Third is just the current focus.”
