The Washington Nationals wrap up a road date in Detroit on Wednesday, September 23, taking on the Tigers at Comerica Park for a 1:10 PM ET first pitch. Washington sends Richard Lovelady to the hill against one of the American League's more established arms in Framber Valdez. With the regular season winding down and every game carrying roster evaluation weight, this is a chance for the Nationals to steal a midweek road win and show some late-September fight before the calendar turns.
Probable Starters: Lovelady vs. Valdez
The pitching matchup on paper tilts toward Detroit. Framber Valdez is a known commodity — a heavy sinkerball left-hander who generates ground balls at an elite rate and has the kind of stuff that gives lineups trouble deep into outings. The Nationals will need to make him work early, get into his pitch count, and avoid the double-play ball that Valdez's sinker is designed to induce.
Richard Lovelady gets the call for Washington. Lovelady is being asked to eat innings and compete in a tough environment on the road. The Nationals will need him to keep Detroit's lineup off the board long enough to give the offense a chance to work. Limiting big innings will be the priority — if Lovelady can keep the Tigers to two or three runs through five or six innings, Washington has a path to a win.
Keys to the Game for Washington
- Patience at the plate against Valdez: Valdez lives on weak contact. The Nationals need to work counts, fight off the sinker, and look for pitches they can drive rather than roll over.
- Lovelady's early command: Road starts in a loud park are tough. If Lovelady establishes his fastball and avoids walks in the first two innings, Washington stays in the game.
- Capitalizing on scoring chances: Against a pitcher like Valdez, opportunities may be limited. Washington cannot afford to strand multiple runners in scoring position — convert when the chances come.
- Bullpen management: If Lovelady is stretched or struggles, the Washington bullpen will need to bridge the gap cleanly. Late-inning defense of any lead is critical.
Broadcast Information
The game airs on Nationals.TV for Washington fans. Detroit viewers can catch it on Detroit SportsNet. Radio coverage is available on WJFK 106.7 The Fan for the DC audience, WXYT 97.1 FM on the Detroit side, and Spanish-language coverage runs on LaZ WDTW 1310 AM/107.9 FM.
Prediction
This is a difficult assignment for the Nationals. Valdez is a proven regular-season workhorse and Comerica Park is not an easy place to manufacture runs. The matchup favors Detroit, and Washington will need a near-perfect performance from Lovelady and timely hitting to pull off the upset. Look for the Tigers to win a close one, but the Nationals have enough to make it competitive. Prediction: Detroit 4, Washington 2.
