Nationals Seek Redemption at Home After Misiorowski's Dominant Outing

Key facts

• Nationals are 3-11 at home, worst in MLB.
• Brewers won Game 1 6-1, with Jacob Misiorowski throwing 5.1 no-hit innings before leaving with a hamstring cramp.
• William Contreras had four hits and three RBIs in the opener.
• Foster Griffin (3-0, 2.67 ERA) starts for Washington; Kyle Harrison (2-1, 2.28 ERA) for Milwaukee.
• Brewers are 17-14, fourth in NL Central, 2.5 games back of Cubs and Reds.
• Nationals are 15-18 overall but have been strong on the road.
• This is the final series between the clubs; Washington swept Milwaukee in April.

A Grim Home Record Weighs on Washington

The Washington Nationals return to Nationals Park on Saturday afternoon carrying the weight of the worst home record in Major League Baseball. At 3-11 in their own ballpark, the club has struggled to find any consistency on familiar soil, a stark contrast to their respectable road performance. Friday night's 6-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers extended that painful trend, leaving the Nationals with a 15-18 overall record and a sense of urgency to salvage the series. The defeat came despite a promising start to the month of May. Washington had just taken a series from the flailing New York Mets and had a chance to win three straight games before running into the Brewers' right-hander Jacob Misiorowski. The young pitcher dominated, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning before exiting with a right hamstring cramp, but not before striking out eight and improving to 2-2 on the season.

Misiorowski's Near No-Hitter Sets the Tone

Misiorowski's performance on Friday was the defining story of the opener. Through 5.1 innings, he allowed no hits, walking none and keeping the Nationals' offense completely off balance. The only run Washington managed came in the bottom of the seventh on a groundout to third base, and the team was held to just two hits for the entire night. The Brewers' offense, meanwhile, was powered by catcher William Contreras, who recorded four hits for the second consecutive game and drove in three runs. Milwaukee's victory was their third straight and fourth in the last five games, a sharp reversal after a stretch in which they lost four consecutive and five of six. The Brewers now sit at 17-14, but that record places them only fourth in the highly competitive NL Central, 2.5 games behind the co-leading Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds.

Pitching Matchup: Griffin vs. Harrison

Saturday's game features a compelling duel between two left-handers who have been excellent early in the season. For Washington, Foster Griffin takes the mound with a perfect 3-0 record and a 2.67 ERA, backed by a 1.3 WAR. The 28-year-old will be making his second appearance against the Brewers this season, and the Nationals are counting on him to replicate the success he found in April, when the club swept Milwaukee. Opposing him is Kyle Harrison, who has been even sharper for the Brewers. The lefty is 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA and a 0.8 WAR, and he has gotten off to a strong start in his Milwaukee career. Harrison will be looking to build on that momentum and secure the series win for his team.

Lineup Changes and Tactical Adjustments

Both teams have made adjustments for the lefty-on-lefty matchup. The Nationals will insert Joey Wiemer into right field, pushing James Wood to left and Daylen Lile to the designated hitter spot. Curtis Mead remains at first base, while Jacob Young moves up in the batting order. Nasim Nunez and Keibert Ruiz are also in the starting lineup. Manager Dave Martinez is hoping these changes can spark an offense that managed only two hits on Friday. For the Brewers, the changes are more modest. Joey Ortiz returns at shortstop, Brandon Lockridge starts in left field, and Gary Sanchez is behind the plate, allowing William Contreras to serve as the designated hitter. Milwaukee's lineup remains potent, and the team will look to continue its recent offensive surge.

Injury Report Casts Shadows on Both Clubs

The Brewers are dealing with a significant number of injuries, particularly among their position players. Christian Yelich, Andrew Vaughn, and Jackson Chourio are all on the 10-day injured list, while pitchers Brandon Woodruff, Angel Zerpa, Quinn Priester, and Jared Koenig are on the 15-day IL. Additionally, Rob Zastryzny and Akil Baddoo are on the 60-day IL. Despite these absences, Milwaukee has managed to stay competitive, a testament to the depth of their roster. The Nationals have not disclosed a comparable injury list, but their home-field struggles suggest deeper issues. The team has been unable to translate its road success—where they have played well above.500—into consistent performance at Nationals Park.

What's at Stake in the Series Finale

Saturday's game is the second and final contest of this series between the two clubs, and it carries significant implications for both. For the Brewers, a win would give them their third straight victory and a series sweep, further solidifying their position in the NL Central race. For the Nationals, avoiding another home loss is paramount—not only to even the series but to begin reversing a troubling trend that has defined their season. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. The game will be broadcast on MLB.TV for Washington Nationals fans, with streaming options available on Fubo. The outcome will either give Milwaukee a much-needed road series win or provide Washington with a glimmer of hope that their home fortunes can change.

The bottom line

• Washington's 3-11 home record is the worst in MLB and a stark contrast to their road performance.
• Jacob Misiorowski's near no-hitter and early exit with a hamstring cramp defined Game 1.
• William Contreras is on a tear with four hits in each of his last two games.
• Foster Griffin (3-0, 2.67 ERA) and Kyle Harrison (2-1, 2.28 ERA) are both undefeated or near-perfect this season.
• The Brewers are 2.5 games back in a tight NL Central despite a 17-14 record.
• This is the final meeting between the teams; Washington swept the earlier series in April.