The Nationals don't usually walk into Progressive Field and bully anyone, but Monday's 10-2 win flipped the room. Now they're back Tuesday trying to win a series against a Cleveland team that's been outscoring nobody — the Guardians have put up 2 runs or fewer in 3 of their last 4 games.
Cade Cavalli has quietly turned into a steady mid-rotation arm — 3 earned runs or fewer in 5 straight starts, including a 7-inning effort in a 2-1 loss to the Mets last week. The win-loss record (2-3) does him no favors, but the 3.86 ERA tells you he's been more good than not. The Washington Post has a piece this week on the recovery routine that's keeping him on the mound after the Tommy John years.
Joey Cantillo is the bigger surprise. The 26-year-old lefty is 4-1 with a 3.05 ERA and just shoved against the Royals for 9 strikeouts over 5.2 innings in his last outing. He's been even better at home. Cleveland's bats need to show up, but the pitching matchup tilts Guardians on paper.
The market agrees — Cleveland is a moderate moneyline favorite and the total sits in a tight window. Worth noting Pinnacle has the total at 7.5 while DK is up at 8.5, which is a real disagreement between books, not a rounding error. Two pitchers running ERAs under 4 backs the lower number.
- Day-To-DayTyler Stuart SP — no
- Day-To-DayTyler Baum DH — Baum has not pitched this year due an undisclosed injury.
- Day-To-DayTravis Sykora SP — Sykora will undergo a UCL reconstruction on his right elbow in two weeks, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
- Day-To-DayJarlin Susana RP — Susana underwent surgery last week to repair a right lat tear, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
- 15-Day-ILJake Irvin SP — The Nationals placed Irvin on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right shoulder strain.
- 15-Day-ILCole Henry RP — Henry (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester this weekend, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILMax Kranick RP — The Nationals transferred Kranick (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Monday.
- 60-Day-ILDJ Herz SP — Herz (elbow) will throw to live hitters Friday at the Nationals' spring training facility in Florida, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
- Day-To-DayCarlos Hernandez RP — Hernandez (shoulder) began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
- 10-Day-ILGabriel Arias SS — no
- 15-Day-ILErik Sabrowski RP — Sabrowski struck out one in a perfect eighth inning Friday to record his 10th hold of the season in an 8-6 win over the Blue Jays.
Washington's rotation is held together with athletic tape — Jake Irvin hit the 15-day IL on Sunday with a shoulder strain, joining Josiah Gray, Trevor Williams, and DJ Herz on the long list. Cleveland is mostly whole outside of shortstop Gabriel Arias landing on the 10-day IL Tuesday morning. First pitch is 5:10 PM local. If the Nats want a series win, they probably need Cavalli to match Cantillo zero for zero into the 6th.