A matchup that was once known as the MASN Cup takes on a new identity this summer. The Nationals are now one of the many teams that works directly with MLB to broadcast their games locally. Meanwhile, the Orioles are back out on their own channel for the first since 2004, when they were still on Comcast SportsNet. Everything old is new again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
As for the on-field play, these two teams are in frustratingly similar places. The Nationals are 21-23, nine games back of first place in the NL East and 4.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the NL. The Orioles are 20-24, nine games back of first place in the AL East but only 1.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the AL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Washington has one of the most productive lineups in baseball. The 236 runs they have scored is just one fewer than the league-leading Atlanta Braves. Other stats where they rank within the top five in MLB: doubles, slugging percentage, and stolen bases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
CJ Abrams and James Wood lead the attack. Abrams\u2019 158 wRC+ is the best on the team, as is his .292 batting average, .390 on-base, and .532 slug. Wood is the masher of the group. He has hit 12 home runs on the year and scored 36 runs, both team highs. The Rockville native is a \u201cthree true outcomes\u201d type, as he has a 17.0% walk rate and a 31.9% strikeout rate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Joey Wiemer (154 wRC+), Curtis Mead (126 wRC+), Jos\u00e9 Tena (122 wRC+), Daylen Lile (113 wRC+), and Luis Garc\u00eda Jr (108 wRC+) have all done well at the plate too. Nasim Nu\u0144ez isn\u2019t much of a threat in the box (62 wRC+), but be careful if he gets on base. His 18 steals are tied for the most in Major League Baseball, and he has only been caught twice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Run prevention is where Washington has struggled. No one has allowed more than the 256 runs that they have, and only the Astros (5.59) have a worse ERA than the D.C.\u2019s 5.01. The bullpen has been a bit better than the rotation. Their ERA is just 4.81, and it has come across 204 innings, the biggest workload of any bullpen in the league.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Six different Nationals pitchers have recorded saves on the year, but the team doesn\u2019t really have a lockdown arm. Gus Varland leads the squad with four saves. He also has a 4.50 ERA and only strikes out 9.56 per nine innings. Outside of that, it\u2019s an anonymous crew that is still figuring out roles. Old friend Cionel P\u00e9rez has tossed 16 innings for them this season, but he elected free agency earlier this month and is now in the Mets organization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Washington IL is full of pitchers. Noteable inclusions are Josiah Gray (right flexor strain) and Trevor Williams (right elbow sprain). Neither one will play this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Game 1: Friday, May 15th, 6:45 p.m., MASN<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nRHP Shane Baz (1-4, 5.48 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Littell (1-4, 6.94 ERA)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nIt feels fair to say that Baz has had one genuinely good start in an Orioles uniform. That came against the Astros in late April. Over his two starts since, the power righty has allowed 10 earned runs over 10.1 total innings. Walks have been an issue for him. If he can avoid the free passes, things should work out alright. That\u2019s easier said than done, of course.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nLittell was brought in to be a dependable veteran arm in a Washington rotation that needed the structure. Instead, he has struggled mightily. He is walking (3.22 BB\/9) and striking out (4.21 K\/9) batters at nearly an identical rate. His 8.26 FIP is even worse than his 6.94 ERA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
RHP Shane Baz (1-4, 5.48 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Littell (1-4, 6.94 ERA)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n It feels fair to say that Baz has had one genuinely good start in an Orioles uniform. That came against the Astros in late April. Over his two starts since, the power righty has allowed 10 earned runs over 10.1 total innings. Walks have been an issue for him. If he can avoid the free passes, things should work out alright. That\u2019s easier said than done, of course.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Littell was brought in to be a dependable veteran arm in a Washington rotation that needed the structure. Instead, he has struggled mightily. He is walking (3.22 BB\/9) and striking out (4.21 K\/9) batters at nearly an identical rate. His 8.26 FIP is even worse than his 6.94 ERA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n