Series Preview: Nationals at Guardians

For Memorial Day, the Guardians play the team from our Nation’s Capital, who get to escape to the balmy shores of Lake Erie for a few days.

The Nationals are 27-27 with a -14 run differential, fifth in wRC+ at 108, second in baserunning runs above average at 5.2, 21st in Defense at -10.6, 28th in starting pitcher ERA at 4.87 (4.75 FIP) and 26th in bullpen ERA at 4.77 (4.73 FIP).

The Guardians are 32-23 with a +23 run differential, 17th in wRC+ at 99, 12th in baserunning runs above average at 0.6, 11th in Defense at -5.3, sixth in starting pitcher ERA at 3.46 (3.80 FIP) and 13th in bullpen ERA at 3.69 (3.82 FIP).

Basically, the Guardians need to be prepared to score and score a lot to win this series.

Matchups:
Game One, Monday, 6:10PM ET: Zack Littell, RHP 6.42 ERA (7.54 FIP) vs. Tanner Bibee, RHP 3.75 ERA (3.97 FIP)
Game Two, Tuesday, 6:10PM ET: Cade Cavalli, RHP 3.86 ERA (3.16 FIP) vs. Joey Cantillo, LHP 3.05 ERA (4.15 FIP)
Game Three, Wednesday, 1:10PM ET: Miles Mikolas, RHP 8.28 ERA (6.40 FIP) vs. Gavin Williams, RHP 3.25 ERA (3.34 FIP).

The Nationals are led by Joey Weimer 159 wRC+, CJ Abrams 156 wRC+, James Wood 154 wRC+, Curtis Mead 127 wRC+, Daylen Lile 113 wRC+ and Keibert Ruiz at 105 wRC+.

The Guardians are led by Travis Bazzana at 139 wRC+, Chase DeLauter at 127 wRC+, Brayan Rocchio at 126 wRC+, David Fry at 118 wRC+, Jose Ramirez at 111 wRC+, Angel Martinez at 110 wRC+, Daniel Schneemann at 106 wRC+ and Rhys Hoskins at 106 wRC+.

Should be an exciting few games and a good chance for the few slow-starting hitters on the Guardians to break out of it.