This matchup features a fascinating contrast between rookie power and veteran finesse. Chase Burns brings triple-digit velocity and swing-and-miss stuff, averaging 98.1 mph on his fastball with a devastating slider that comprises 38% of his arsenal. However, he's still finding his footing at the big league level, and the Nationals have shown they can handle velocity - they just torched Cincinnati's pitching in consecutive games with 18 total runs. Foster Griffin presents the polar opposite profile, working at 85-87 mph with a six-pitch mix led by his cutter and relying on command and deception rather than raw stuff. His 2.12 ERA and 1.03 WHIP suggest he's mastered the art of pitching to contact and limiting hard contact. The Reds' recent offensive struggles are concerning - they've scored just 3.2 runs per game over their last ten contests, a span in which they've gone 2-8. Elly De La Cruz remains their brightest offensive star with 10 home runs, but the supporting cast has been inconsistent. The Nationals counter with CJ Abrams, who's enjoying a breakout campaign with 9 homers and 36 RBIs, providing the type of middle-of-the-order production Washington has lacked in recent years. The bullpen situation heavily favors Washington, as Cincinnati has three key relievers on the injured list including Emilio Pagán and Caleb Ferguson, severely limiting their late-game options. The Nationals have momentum from back-to-back wins in this series and have been significantly better on the road (15-9) than at home (6-13), suggesting they handle the pressure of playing away from D.C. well. The weather conditions at Great American Ball Park - 59 degrees with clear skies and a north wind at 12 mph - should be neutral to slightly pitcher-friendly, which could help both starters settle in early. However, Griffin's experience advantage and the Reds' bullpen concerns give Washington the edge in what should be a competitive, mid-scoring affair.

Scoring Dynamics

Early (1-3) 2R Griffin's command allows one early run but settles in

Middle (4-6) 5R Both starters tire, bullpens enter high-leverage spots

Late (7-9) 2R Nationals capitalize on depleted Reds bullpen

Matchup Analysis

Reds

Chase Burns velocity and strikeout potential

Elly De La Cruz offensive upside

Home field advantage

Bullpen decimated by injuries

2-8 in last ten games

Worst run differential in NL Central

Nationals

Foster Griffin's excellent 2.12 ERA

Strong road record (15-9)

CJ Abrams power threat

Inconsistent offense despite run production

Rotation depth concerns with multiple injuries

Below .500 record overall

Risk Factors

Burns' rookie inconsistency

Reds' injury-depleted relief corps

Key Matchups

Elly De La Cruz vs Foster Griffin batter Speed vs control pitcher favors aggressive baserunner

CJ Abrams vs Chase Burns batter Abrams has shown power this season against high-velocity arms

Statistical Edges

First to Score Nationals 65%

Strikeouts 15 12-18

Total Runs 9 7-11

Game Preview

The series finale at Great American Ball Park begins with Foster Griffin working his crafty repertoire against a Cincinnati lineup still reeling from consecutive losses. The veteran left-hander attacks the strike zone early, getting ahead of Reds hitters with his cutter and changeup combination. CJ Abrams gives Washington an early lead in the top of the first, turning on a Chase Burns fastball for a line drive double that plates Jacob Young from first base. The Reds respond in the bottom of the second when Elly De La Cruz showcases his elite speed, beating out an infield single and eventually scoring on a JJ Bleday sacrifice fly that just clears the warning track in the cool Cincinnati air. Burns settles into a rhythm through the third and fourth innings, his slider generating swings and misses, but begins to lose command in the fifth inning. Luis García Jr. works a leadoff walk, and Abrams strikes again with a two-run homer to left field that gives Washington breathing room at 3-1. The Reds mount their best threat in the sixth inning when Matt McLain doubles with one out, bringing the tying run to the plate. However, Griffin showcases his veteran guile, mixing speeds and locations to escape with just one run allowed on a De La Cruz RBI groundout. As both starters exit after six innings, the bullpen battle begins to favor Washington. The Nationals extend their lead in the seventh when Curtis Mead delivers a clutch RBI single against Cincinnati's overworked relief corps, then add insurance in the eighth on another extra-base hit from their surging offense. The Reds make one final push in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two outs, but Washington's closer secures the victory and the series win, highlighting the depth advantage that proved decisive in this three-game set.

My confidence sits at 72% primarily due to the significant bullpen disparity and recent momentum favoring Washington. The Nationals have won the first two games of this series convincingly, while Cincinnati's injury-depleted relief corps and recent struggles (2-8 in last ten) create clear advantages for the visitors.

Pitcher yang Dijangka

Washington Nationals — Roster

Pemain	Pos.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Luis García Jr.	1B	.276	3	22	.306	.441
Brady House	3B	.220	6	21	.278	.380
José Tena	RF	.273	2	11	.333	.455
Jacob Young	CF	.218	3	17	.268	.313
Daylen Lile	LF	.263	6	22	.326	.433
Nasim Nuñez	SS	.202	0	14	.310	.226
Jorbit Vivas	2B	.253	0	3	.333	.304
Drew Millas	C	.179	1	6	.247	.269

Cincinnati Reds — Roster

Pemain	Pos.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Dane Myers	CF	.224	2	7	.357	.328
Will Benson	LF	.194	2	4	.341	.343
Sal Stewart	1B	.244	10	30	.328	.470
Spencer Steer	2B	.259	7	14	.333	.449
JJ Bleday	DH	.321	6	18	.455	.755
Blake Dunn	RF	.214	1	1	.353	.500
Matt McLain	SS	.214	4	16	.320	.344
Jose Trevino	C	.143	0	2	.172	.179
Ke'Bryan Hayes	3B	.150	2	5	.202	.243

Permainan jaringan

▼ 2

Matt McLain homers (4) on a fly ball to center field. Spencer Steer scores.

0-2

▼ 4

Jose Trevino singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jacob Young, deflected by shortstop CJ Abrams. Spencer Steer scores. Blake Dunn scores. Matt McLain to 3rd.

0-4

▼ 4

Ke'Bryan Hayes doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Daylen Lile. Matt McLain scores. Jose Trevino scores.

0-6

▼ 5

JJ Bleday homers (5) on a fly ball to right center field. Elly De La Cruz scores. Spencer Steer scores.

0-9

▼ 7

JJ Bleday homers (6) on a fly ball to right center field. Elly De La Cruz scores.

0-11

▲ 8

José Tena strikes out swinging.

1-11

▼ 8

Dane Myers homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field. Matt McLain scores. Ke'Bryan Hayes scores.

1-14

▼ 8

JJ Bleday singles on a fly ball to right fielder José Tena. Will Benson scores. Sal Stewart to 3rd.

1-15

Washington Nationals — Pukulan

Pemain	AB	R	H	BB	K	AVG	OPS
Joey WiemerP	1	0	0	0	1	.288	.897
Luis García Jr.1B	2	0	1	2	0	.276	.747
Brady House3B	4	0	0	0	2	.220	.658
José TenaRF	1	0	0	0	1	.273	.788
Jacob YoungCF	4	0	0	0	0	.218	.581
Daylen LileLF	4	0	0	0	1	.263	.759
Nasim NuñezSS	4	0	0	0	1	.202	.536
Jorbit Vivas2B	2	0	1	0	0	.253	.637
Drew MillasC	3	1	1	0	1	.179	.516
Jumlah	30	1	3	3	10

BATTING

2B: Vivas (4, Burns, Ch); García Jr., L (8, Burns, Ch).

TB: García Jr., L 2; Millas; Vivas 2.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Wood; Young; Millas; Tena.

Team RISP: 0-for-7.

Team LOB: 6.

BASERUNNING

SB: Nuñez, N (18, 2nd base off Burns, Ch/Trevino).

CS: García Jr., L (1, 2nd base by Burns, Ch/Trevino).

FIELDING

DP: (Griffin-Nuñez, N-García Jr., L).

Cincinnati Reds — Pukulan

Pemain	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Dane MyersCF	4	1	1	3	0	2	1	.224	.685
Will BensonLF	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.194	.684
Sal Stewart1B	4	0	0	0	1	3	0	.244	.798
Spencer Steer2B	4	3	2	0	1	0	0	.259	.782
JJ BledayDH	5	2	3	6	0	1	2	.321	1.210
Blake DunnRF	4	1	0	0	1	1	0	.214	.853
Matt McLainSS	3	3	2	2	1	0	1	.214	.664
Jose TrevinoC	4	1	1	2	0	1	0	.143	.351
Ke'Bryan Hayes3B	4	1	2	2	0	0	0	.150	.445
Jumlah	37	15	14	15	4	9	4

BATTING

2B: Hayes (2, Griffin); De La Cruz, E (10, Griffin); McLain, M (8, Wiemer).

HR: McLain, M (4, 2nd inning off Griffin, 1 on, 2 out); Bleday 2 (6, 5th inning off Griffin, 2 on, 1 out, 7th inning off Kent, 1 on, 2 out); Myers (2, 8th inning off Wiemer, 2 on, 1 out).

TB: Benson; Bleday 9; De La Cruz, E 3; Hayes 3; McLain, M 6; Myers 4; Steer 2; Trevino.

RBI: Bleday 6 (18); Hayes 2 (5); McLain, M 2 (16); Myers 3 (7); Trevino 2 (2).

2-out RBI: McLain, M 2; Hayes 2; Trevino 2; Bleday 3.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Dunn; Myers.

GIDP: De La Cruz, E.

Team RISP: 6-for-11.

Team LOB: 3.

FIELDING

E: Burns, Ch (2, missed catch); Trevino 2 (2, throw, catcher interference).

Washington Nationals — Lontaran

Pelempar	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Foster Griffin(L, 4-2)	4.1	7	9	9	3	7	2	92-58	3.53
Zak Kent	2.2	2	2	2	0	2	1	42-29	5.79
Joey Wiemer	1.0	5	4	4	1	0	1	24-15	22.50

Cincinnati Reds — Lontaran

Pelempar	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	PC-ST	ERA
Chase Burns(W, 5-1)	6.0	2	0	0	2	7	95-60	1.87
Sam Moll	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	13-8	3.06
Luis Mey	1.0	1	1	1	1	2	22-14	3.38
Connor Phillips	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	12-9	5.16

Info perlawanan

Pengadil: Home Plate: Doug Eddings; First Base: Emil Jimenez; Second Base: Mike Muchlinski; Third Base: Dexter Kelley

Stadium: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati

Cuaca: 58°F, Sunny

Angin: 9 mph, Out To RF

Washington Nationals — Berita

Nationals Menuntut Lara daripada Braves, Tunjuk Fernández

Lara tidak mempunyai statistik tersedia untuk 2026, menunjukkan bahawa dia belum melempar dalam Liga Utama musim ini. Rotasi Washington tetap lemah dengan Littell (4.76 ERA, 0-3) memulai hari ini menentang Seattle.

Jhancarlos Lara

Atlanta Braves

Washington Nationals

Giants menewaskan Nationals 11-10 dengan serangan lewat inning

San Francisco mencetak 10 poin dalam dua inning terakhir untuk mengasingkan Washington, tetapi Giants tetap 27-41 dengan perbezaan larian -52, markah terburuk dalam NL West, manakala rekod Nationals 35-33 masih mengekalkan tempat ketiga di Timur walaupun mengalami kekalahan.

San Francisco Giants

Washington Nationals

Kotak Mel MLB: Devers, Nationals, Karusel DFA, Guardians, Red Sox

Devers (.233 AVG, 0.292 xwOBA dalam 68 P) mempunyai nilai pertukaran negatif memandangkan prestasi rendahnya; kejayaan jalan Nationals (23-13 luar, 12-20 rumah) menyembunyikan masalah struktur walaupun perbezaan lari +8.

Boston Red Sox

Cleveland Guardians

Washington Nationals

Nationals menamatkan skid 0-29 dengan comeback di inning kesembilan

Rekod 22-13 perjalanan Washington menyembunyikan keruntuhan rumah 12-20; menghapuskan defisit 3-1 terhadap pelepas terburuk SF (Winn, 0.271 xwOBA) menunjukkan pelaksanaan yang tepat di bawah tekanan daripada kekuatan ofensif yang berkelanjutan dalam pasukan yang duduk +5 dalam perbezaan larian.

Milwaukee Brewers

Washington Nationals

Penyerang kidal Nationals DJ Herz kembali selepas pembedahan Tommy John

Herz melempar dua inning tanpa skor dalam aksi musim semi yang diperluaskan pada hari Jumaat, menandakan penampilan pertamanya dalam dua tahun sejak menjalani pembedahan Tommy John pada awal 2025. Jadual pemulihan beliau tetap beransur, tetapi ketersediaan dalam putaran akan menangani masalah kedalaman Washington (Littell 4.76 ERA, Mikolas 6.39 ERA dalam lima permulaan gabungan).

DJ Herz

Washington Nationals

Cincinnati Reds — Berita

D-Backs Mengaktifkan Jordan Lawlar dari Senarai Cedera 60 Hari

Lawlar kembali dengan data terbatas 2026 (0 P, .333 AVG dalam sampel kecil), menjadikan impaknya tidak pasti terhadap kakitangan pitcher yang lemah Cincinnati (ERA 4.10-5.61 permula). Arizona mendapat potensi lonjakan barisan memasuki siri melawan pasukan Reds yang membenarkan 340 larian (2.0 lebih banyak setiap permainan daripada purata liga).

Jordan Lawlar

Cincinnati Reds

Hunter Greene (RHP, CIN) menyasarkan kembali pada Julai selepas pembedahan siku

Jadual yang tertangguh bagi Greene meninggalkan Cincinnati bergantung kepada Abbott (4.06 ERA), Singer (6.18 ERA), dan Paddack (6.90 ERA) kerana Reds berada di 31-31 dengan perbezaan larian -48 dan berjuang untuk kekal berdaya saing di NL Central.

Hunter Greene

Cincinnati Reds

Lyon Richardson Memilih Agensi Bebas Selepas DFA Reds

Richardson mencatatkan ERA 13.50 dalam aksi liga kecil musim ini tanpa inning MLB, menjadikan pemergiannya sebagai langkah roster rutin untuk Cincinnati (31-30, -41 perbezaan larian).

Lyon Richardson

Cincinnati Reds

Orioles Memperoleh Kyle Nicolas daripada Reds

Nicolas membawa xwOBA 0.863 merentas tindakan minimal dan menuju ke Triple-A, mewakili penambahan kedalaman dan bukannya membantu putaran dengan segera untuk Baltimore (29-33, perbezaan larian -43).

Kyle Nicolas

Baltimore Orioles

Cincinnati Reds

Reds Bebaskan Josh Staumont

Kepergian Staumont adalah langkah kedalaman rutin bagi Cincinnati, yang duduk pada 31-29 dengan perbezaan larian -38 dan telah memutar beberapa pemain bantuan musim ini.

Cincinnati Reds