The Nationals are hitting the road for a crucial three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, looking to shake off a frustrating weekend in Miami. After taking the opener against the Marlins and climbing within one game of .500, Washington dropped the next two contests—both times seeing Miami surge ahead in the eighth inning. While the Nats didn't play poorly, they couldn't close the deal, leaving the Sunshine State with a bitter taste.
Now, they head to the Queen City to face a Reds squad sitting at 22-19—three games above .500 but tied for last place in a fiercely competitive NL Central. Cincinnati's offense has been a tale of two stories. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz and rookie first baseman Sal Stewart are having standout seasons, but beyond that, the lineup has struggled mightily. Their team wRC+ of 90 ranks fourth-worst in all of baseball. One under-the-radar name to watch is Nathaniel Lowe, who has been quietly productive with a 139 wRC+ across 29 games.
On the mound, the Reds boast a rotation brimming with young talent like Hunter Greene (currently on the IL), Chase Burns, and Rhett Lowder. Yet, despite that promise, their starting pitchers rank 25th in ERA, with regression hitting starters Brady Singer and Andrew Abbott hard. The bullpen hasn't fared much better, sitting 22nd in ERA. The numbers tell a story of a flawed team—one the Nationals could very well surprise in this series.
For Washington, Miles Mikolas will take the ball. He hasn't been the innings-eater the Nats hoped for, going at least five frames only twice this season. But since a disastrous home opener against the Dodgers, he's settled in nicely, allowing three runs or fewer in every start. He'll face a Reds lineup that's been scuffling, though Great American Ball Park is a hitter's paradise that can quickly turn any at-bat into a highlight.
On the other side, Brady Singer has been the Reds' workhorse but has struggled to keep runs off the board, surrendering four runs in each of his last two outings against the Pirates and Cubs. The home run ball has been his nemesis in 2026, and in a ballpark that rewards hard contact, that's a dangerous combination.
This series is a golden opportunity for the Nationals to get back on track. With the Reds' pitching vulnerable and their lineup thin beyond a few stars, Washington has the tools to steal a series on the road. It's time to see if they can turn close losses into wins—and maybe surprise a few folks along the way.