The Washington Nationals wrap up their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, July 26, at Nationals Park, with first pitch set for 1:35 PM ET. Miles Mikolas gets the ball for Washington against Arizona's Kohl Drake in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup between two arms with something to prove. With the regular season well underway, every game in late July carries real weight in the standings, and the Nationals will be looking to close out this homestand on a high note in front of their home crowd.
Probable Pitchers: Miles Mikolas vs. Kohl Drake
Mikolas is a known commodity at the big-league level — a veteran right-hander who relies on command and a willingness to attack the strike zone. He doesn't overpower hitters, but his ability to generate weak contact and eat innings has made him a reliable rotation piece throughout his career. On Sunday, the Nationals will need him to keep the Arizona offense in check and give the bullpen a breather.
Drake is the less familiar name in this matchup. The Arizona left-hander will be tested by a Washington lineup that will be eager to put crooked numbers on the scoreboard early. How Drake handles pressure situations and whether he can limit damage when runners get on base will be the central question for the Diamondbacks' side of this game.
Keys to Watch for Washington
- Mikolas's command: When Mikolas is at his best, he's working ahead in counts and keeping the ball on the ground. If he gets into trouble early and starts missing over the plate, the Arizona lineup has enough talent to make him pay.
- Capitalizing against a lesser-known arm: Drake doesn't carry the name recognition of a top-of-the-rotation starter, which means Washington's hitters should come in with a plan. Patience at the plate and working counts could unlock opportunities, especially in the middle innings.
- Bullpen management: Late-July Sunday afternoon games have a way of grinding into the bullpen earlier than expected. How manager Dave Martinez deploys his relievers — and whether Washington can build a lead that gives him options — will matter.
- Run support: Mikolas can only do so much. The Nationals' offense needs to show up and give him a cushion. A low-scoring game that stays tight deep into the late innings puts pressure on both sides.
Prediction
Mikolas has the experience edge in this matchup, and pitching at Nationals Park in a familiar environment should work in his favor. Washington's offense has the opportunity to do some damage against a pitcher it may not have seen extensively. Expect a competitive afternoon game, but give the edge to the Nationals to close out the series with a win. Nationals 4, Diamondbacks 2.
