Kyle Bradish (5-7, 3.64 ERA) faces Zack Littell (6-6, 5.40 ERA) in Sunday's 1:35 PM ET series finale at Camden Yards, a rubber game to close out the Beltway Series with both clubs having split the first 2.
This is as clean a pitching-matchup edge as you'll find. Bradish went 8 shutout innings against the Angels on June 22 — 9 strikeouts, 1 walk, 101 pitches — and he's credited the curveball as his best pitch all season. The Orioles have won 6 of his last 9 outings. Littell is the exact opposite story. He gave up 5 runs in 1.2 innings against Seattle earlier this month, then took the loss to Kansas City on June 17 allowing 4 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings. That 5.40 ERA is earned.
The Nationals didn't steal Saturday's game so much as they grinded it out. Luis García Jr. went 4-for-4 with a 418-foot homer to right in the fifth, and Daylen Lile delivered the walk-off single in the 10th to bring in pinch runner Dylan Crews. Foster Griffin threw 7 innings with 9 strikeouts on 112 pitches, and Justin Lawrence — in his Nationals debut — escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 10th to earn his first save since 2024. That's a lot of bullpen ammunition spent to win one game. Washington is exactly .500 at 42-42 despite losing Irvin, Herz, Gray, Williams, and Sykora to the IL at various points. That's either a credit to the roster or a warning that regression is possible — probably both.
- 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) is in Baltimore, before Saturday's matchup against Washington, and is feeling good after six rehab games, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILChris Bassitt SP — Bassitt (back) underwent a minor procedure to have bone spurs removed from his back, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILDean Kremer SP — Kremer (quadriceps) made his second rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, giving up two hits and one walk in 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out eight.
Baltimore's injury report is staggering. Adley Rutschman went on the 7-day IL Saturday with a concussion — losing your starting catcher and best offensive player mid-series is a genuine blow. Ryan Mountcastle is on the 60-day IL with a foot injury. Jordan Westburg had Tommy John surgery. Zach Eflin also had Tommy John. Chris Bassitt just had bone spurs removed from his back. For a roster this shredded, Bradish being legitimate has been the one constant. The Orioles are 39-45, but with a full lineup they're a different team.
The Nationals have momentum and fresh legs in their bullpen. But to steal this series in Baltimore they need Littell to give them something, and his recent track record makes that a significant ask. Bradish in this form is a problem for any lineup. Give the Orioles the edge in a tighter game than Saturday's.