Here's guessing Nats starter and one-time Braves touted prospect Michael Soroka -- he looked like a future ace in 2019 for Atlanta but then injuries started derailing things -- gives up four runs and five hits over five innings as that's exactly what he has done in his first two starts of the year. Atlanta's Spencer Schwellenbach has a 2.93 home ERA. Very few Nationals have seen him.
We continue to fade struggling starters who missed extended time. Mike Soroka is facing his old team here after giving up 4 ER in 5 IP vs the Guardians. I don't see him getting that much swing and miss again. Spencer Schwellenbach is legit, while the Nats are 28th in MLB with a .628 OPS in the first 5 innings. The Nats' 7.13 pen ERA is by far worst in baseball and not sure they get much length from their starter here. Washington is 8-11 on the RL on the road.
Alvarez didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Cardinals after allowing five hits and a walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings.
Tolman was charged with a blown save after allowing one run on three hits while striking out one over one-third of an inning in Saturday's 8-5 extra-innings win over the Cardinals.
Olson went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Astros.
Acuna went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-2 win over the Astros.
Cavalli (13-5) earned the win Friday against the Cardinals after allowing four hits while striking out six over five scoreless innings.
Mahle (7-10) earned the win Friday against the Astros after allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings.
Suarez (elbow) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Ortiz is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in St. Louis.
Ruiz is not in the lineup for Friday's game in St. Louis.
The Nationals signed Cavalli to a four-year contract extension Friday with a club option for 2031.
