MLB Game Preview: Washington Nationals (38-56) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (54-40)

Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
First Pitch: 4:10 PM ET
Broadcast: Bally Sports Wisconsin, MASN, MLB.tv

Game Overview

The Milwaukee Brewers (54–40) host the Washington Nationals (38–56) in Game 2 of their weekend series, with Milwaukee riding a five-game win streak and surging toward the top of the NL Central. Washington, meanwhile, has dropped six of its last seven and sits last in the NL East. Saturday’s matchup features a lopsided pitching duel between Brandon Woodruff and Shinnosuke Ogasawara, with the Brewers heavily favored to extend their dominance at home.

Starting Pitchers Breakdown

Milwaukee Brewers – Brandon Woodruff (1–0, 1.50 ERA)

• Making his second start of the season after returning from injury
• Tossed 6 innings of 1-run ball vs Miami in his debut
• Opponents hitting just .100 against him
• Elite strikeout rate: 12.0 K/9
• Career ERA at home: 2.89, with a WHIP under 1.10

Washington Nationals – Shinnosuke Ogasawara (0–1, 13.50 ERA)

• Rookie left-hander making his second career start
• Struggled in debut vs Boston: 2.2 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER
• Opponents batting .467 against him
• WHIP: 2.63, with limited swing-and-miss stuff
• Faces a Brewers lineup ranked 8th in MLB in runs scored (435)

Key Players to Watch

Milwaukee Brewers

• Christian Yelich: .261 AVG, 19 HR, 65 RBI — ranks 12th in MLB RBI, 22nd in HR
• Jackson Chourio: .260 AVG, 15 HR, 56 RBI — riding an 8-game hit streak, slugging .452
• Sal Frelick: .290 AVG — team leader in batting average, consistent OBP threat
• Brice Turang: .280 AVG, 14 doubles — adds speed and contact at the top of the lineup

Washington Nationals

• James Wood: .282 AVG, 24 HR, 69 RBI — ranks 8th in MLB HR and RBI, All-Star selection
• C.J. Abrams: .286 AVG — leads team in batting average, 10 HR, 12 SB
• Luis Garcia: .262 AVG, 19 doubles — versatile infielder with gap power
• Josh Bell: .245 AVG — 12-for-31 with 4 doubles and 5 RBI over last 10 games

• Brewers are 31–17 at home, winning 8 of last 9 at American Family Field
• Nationals are 20–28 on the road, with a 5.19 team ERA (28th in MLB)
• Milwaukee has covered the run line in 8 of last 9 home games
• Under has hit in 12 of Nationals’ last 13 day games vs NL opponents