Griffin (8-2, 3.15 ERA) draws Brandon Young (6-2, 3.07 ERA) in game 2 of the Beltway Series at Camden Yards, with first pitch at 7:05 PM ET. On paper, this is one of the better starting pitcher matchups a late-June weekend series can offer — 2 guys pitching well above preseason expectations, both with real skin in the game tonight.
Griffin has been Washington's most reliable arm all season — a crafty lefty back from Japan who works through a 7-pitch mix rather than big velocity. June has been his best stretch: he's allowed exactly 1 run in each of his 4 starts this month, including a 7.1-inning, 9-strikeout, zero-walk gem against the Phillies on June 22 — the same Phillies who then proceeded to torch the Nationals' bullpen 3 nights in a row and make baseball history doing it. Young's breakout has been the bigger surprise nationally. He posted a 6.24 ERA in his 2025 rookie season but completely revamped his splitter — choking up on his grip, shedding roughly 5 mph off the pitch's velocity and gaining about 3 inches of extra drop — and the adjustment has turned a problem pitch into his best weapon. Baltimore is 9-1 in his 10 starts this year.
Washington's current 4-game slide isn't just bad — it's the kind that gets in your head. The Phillies hit go-ahead home runs in the 9th inning in 3 consecutive games at Nationals Park, a feat that had never happened in the history of Major League Baseball. Bryson Stott on Tuesday, Derek Hill's pinch-hit shot on Wednesday, and Bryce Harper on Thursday — each one worse than the last. The Nationals arrived in Baltimore already bruised and managed just 1 run in game 1 Friday. At 41-42, they haven't collapsed, but being a feel-good surprise team only lasts as long as you're actually winning.
- Day-To-DayJarlin Susana RP — Susana threw from a mound this week for the first time since undergoing lat surgery last September, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
- 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.
- 15-Day-ILJake Irvin SP — Irvin (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILTrevor Williams SP — Williams (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILDJ Herz SP — Herz (elbow) was diagnosed Monday with a left flexor strain, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILMax Kranick RP — Kranick (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg on Sunday, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings.
- Day-To-DayJhonkensy Noel RF — Noel was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Norfolk on Monday with left wrist inflammation, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
- Day-To-DayLevi Wells P — Wells underwent successful core-muscle surgery Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
- Day-To-DayRichard Guasch SP — no
- Day-To-DayWill Robertson LF — The Orioles reassigned Robertson to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
- 7-Day ILAdley Rutschman C — The Orioles placed Rutschman on the 7-day injured list Saturday after he was diagnosed with a concussion, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILDylan Beavers RF — Beavers (oblique) has gone just 1-for-20 (.050) with a run scored and five walks over his first six games during his minor-league rehab assignment.
- 15-Day-ILCade Povich SP — Povich (elbow) struck out three and allowed one hit and no walks over 3.1 scoreless innings Sunday in a rehab start with Double-A Chesapeake.
- 15-Day-ILChris Bassitt SP — Bassitt (back) received a facet injection to his lower back Friday, and he's set to begin his throwing progression, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Baltimore's situation isn't exactly comfortable either. Adley Rutschman, the face of the franchise, is on the 7-day concussion IL after taking an errant throw to the unprotected side of his head during a play in Seattle — he was eligible to come back when this series started, but his availability remains in flux. Jordan Westburg is done for the year after Tommy John surgery in May. Zach Eflin never made it past his first start before needing the same procedure. Chris Bassitt (back) is on the IL, Dean Kremer (quad) is still in the minors rehabbing. The Orioles are at 39-44 and leaning hard on Young every 5 days to keep them relevant — and he's delivered. But the depth math doesn't lie.
Tonight comes down to how long these 2 starters can keep the game clean. Griffin walked nobody in his last outing and Young has been consistently logging 6-plus innings in his recent run. Whichever team gets into the other's bullpen first — these are both shaky back ends — probably wins. Washington needs Griffin to give them 7 innings and a reminder that this team is still capable of stringing together a win when it matters.