The Washington Nationals who, after beating the Braves in two out of three games to start the season, have been pure fodder for the World Champs, continue their three-game series with the Braves on Tuesday night. Washington closes in on 100 losses as they have gone into full rebuilding mode after trading away all-star Juan Soto and 1B Josh Bell during the season. The Braves are in a neck-and-neck battle with the Mets for the NL East title so every victory counts with under three weeks left. Tuesday night's pitching matchup will feature lefty Patrick Corbin (6-18, 6.11) of the Nationals taking on the Braves' Charlie Morton (8-6, 4.17). First pitch is scheduled for 7:20pm EST.
The Washington Nationals are heading for a 100-loss season and an uncertain future after trading away the core of the current team at the trade deadline. What is left is some promising arms and a lineup that has some promise but may be many years away. The Nationals head into this series with the Braves looking to avoid being the Braves' doormat for another series. Atlanta has belted 31 home runs in just 13 games against Washington thus far this season. On Monday night, the Nationals fell yet again to the Braves, 5-2. The Nationals struck out 12 times in the loss.
Our Battery ??#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/pOxZSjqwT0
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 19, 2022
Washington's pitching staff must have at least considered calling in sick when they saw the Braves series on the schedule for this week. Atlanta has thoroughly dominated the Nats since losing that first series, winning nine out of the last ten games and pounding out 27 home runs in that time. On the mound, perhaps reluctantly, on Tuesday night will be Patrick Corbin. Corbin has 18 losses on the season and would surely like to avoid the indignity of 20 losses in a season. He has pitched much better in his last five games with an ERA of 2.90 and a 2-2 record. He is 0-3 in three starts this season against the Braves and has an unsightly 9.88 ERA.