Nationals Seek Series Win Against Brewers After Thrilling Comeback

In a display of resilience, the Nationals bounced back from a disappointing loss to the Mets with a dominant 14-2 victory on Wednesday night. As they entered Thursday’s game against the Mets, they were determined to clinch the series and finish their road trip with a strong 4-2 record. Despite trailing late in the game, CJ Abrams delivered a pivotal moment with a two-run home run in the eighth inning off Luke Weaver, propelling the Nats to a 5-4 lead. Gus Varland then took the mound, securing his third career save and sealing the win for Washington.

Now, the Nationals return home for a six-game homestand, starting with a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, a team they swept just three weeks ago. The Brewers, currently sitting in fourth place in the NL Central with a 16-14 record, are looking to rebound as they face the Nats. Their run differential ranks fourth in baseball, but they are underperforming by their own standards.

Brice Turang, the Brewers’ second baseman, has been a standout player, hitting two home runs against Zack Littell during their last meeting. However, the Brewers may face challenges as they have lost right-handed starter Brandon Woodruff, who exited his recent start in the second inning due to decreased velocity. The Nats will face Milwaukee’s top two starters, Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison, in the upcoming games.

Game One Preview – Friday 6:45 PM EST

For the opening game, the Nationals will send RHP Jake Irvin (1-3, 4.85 ERA) to the mound against the Brewers’ RHP Jacob Misiorowski (1-2, 3.31 ERA). Irvin has shown promise this season, consistently pitching at least five innings and allowing three or fewer runs in each start, with a standout performance of 5.2 scoreless innings against the White Sox in his last outing. He previously faced the Brewers, lasting five innings while giving up three runs despite walking five batters.

Misiorowski, a 2025 All-Star, has continued to sharpen his skills in 2026, boasting a higher strikeout rate and fewer walks. He logged a quality start against the Pirates in his last appearance, pitching six innings and allowing three runs, and will be looking to maintain that momentum against a determined Nationals lineup.

Game Two Preview – Saturday 4:05 PM EST

On Saturday, the Nationals will rely on LHP Foster Griffin (3-0, 2.67 ERA), who has emerged as a key player in a mostly average Nats rotation. His recent performance included seven scoreless innings against the White Sox, showcasing his potential. Griffin aims to continue his strong form against a Brewers lineup that has not been at its best.

Opposing him will be LHP Kyle Harrison (2-1, 2.28 ERA), who has had a tumultuous year, moving from San Francisco to Boston and then to Milwaukee. Despite the upheaval, he has found his footing, currently holding the best ERA among Brewers starters. Earlier this season, he faced the Nats but struggled, allowing two runs in just 4.1 innings. Saturday’s matchup will be a chance for him to redeem himself.

Game Three Preview – Sunday 1:35 PM EST

The series finale will see Zack Littell (0-4, 7.85 ERA) take the mound for the Nationals against Chad Patrick (2-1, 2.57 ERA) of the Brewers. Littell has faced significant challenges recently, giving up 18 runs over his last three starts. He previously pitched five innings against the Brewers, allowing three runs, and will hope to replicate that effort on Sunday.

Patrick, who stepped in after opener Aaron Ashby in their last meeting with the Nats, delivered a solid performance with three scoreless innings in that game. He has been effective this season, allowing two or fewer runs in five of his appearances, and will aim to continue that trend as he faces the Nationals once again.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.