Game Details

• Washington Nationals (6-10) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (6-11)

• Pitching Matchup: RHP Jake Irvin (0-0, 5.63) vs. RHP Mitch Keller (1-1, 4.24)

• Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025| 6:40 p.m. EDT | Game: # 17 | Road Game: # 8

• Location: PNC Park | Pittsburgh, PA

Game storylines and notes

The Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates continue their four-game series tonight at PNC Park, coinciding with Major League Baseball’s annual Jackie Robinson Day. In honor of Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier 78 years ago, every player on the field will wear number 42, joining teams across the league in a unified tribute to his enduring legacy.

Game Recap
LAST GAME RECAP

Washington dropped last night’s game in Pittsburgh, 10-3. In his 2025 debut, Nasim Nuñez paced the Nationals’ offense with two hits, including a double. Keibert Ruiz extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single in the eighth inning.

Washington Nationals Schedule
Up Next…

On Deck…

Tomorrow, the Nationals will continue their four-game series against the Pirates in Game three, with LHP Mitchell Parker taking the mound for the Nationals and left-handed pitcher Bailey Falther taking the mound for the Pirates. Parker has been impressive on the mound so far, as he has pitched 6.0 or more innings in all three of his starts this season and allowed three earned runs or less in each game. Parker will face the Pirates for the second time in his career. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EDT.

In the hole…

On Thursday, the Nationals will finish their four-game series against the Pirates, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:35 p.m. EDT. Then, the Nationals will head to Denver to face the Rockies, the final city of this three-city, ten-day road trip. The Nationals are scheduled to send RHP Trevor Williams to the mound to face his former team for the fifth time in his career. Williams has an ERA of 3.96 over 56 career games at PNC Park. The Nationals will face LHP Andrew Heaney, who has a 0-1 record with a 3.00 ERA this season.

I want to be Forever YOUNG.

Jacob Young has turned things around at the plate, going 6-for-13 (.462) with an RBI, three walks, and three runs scored over his last five games, including hits in four straight contests. This hot streak follows a slow start to the season, when he opened 1-for-15 (.067).

Young now owns a .400 on-base percentage and has drawn six walks this year. Notably, he has not struck out in his last 23 plate appearances, which is tied for the third-longest active streak in the majors.

In the series finale in Miami, Young reached base three times, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk. He has reached base in nine of his last 16 plate appearances, good for a .563 on-base percentage during that span.

Bats are made out of WOOD

Over his last 11 games, James Wood has been outstanding, tallying two doubles, four home runs, 11 RBIs, nine walks, a hit by pitch, two stolen bases, and scoring 10 runs. He has reached base in every one of those games, with at least two times on base in six of his last seven contests.

Wood ranks among the National League leaders, tied for fifth in home runs (5) and seventh in extra-base hits (8). Notably, he has hit four home runs in his last six games, including his second career multi-home run game on April 8 against the Dodgers.

Ring the BELL in Pittsburgh

Since leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Josh Bell has hit .348 (31-for-89) against his former team, including six doubles, six home runs, 18 RBIs, 22 walks, and 15 runs scored across 25 games. At PNC Park, Bell has maintained a .305 average (18-for-59) with two doubles, five home runs, 16 RBIs, 13 walks, and 10 runs scored in 16 games since departing Pittsburgh after the 2020 season.

On the mound for the Washington Nationals
RHP Jake Irvin

Jake Irvin has emerged as a durable and reliable presence in the Washington Nationals’ rotation. In his most recent outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Irvin overcame a rough start, allowing four runs in the first inning, but rebounded impressively by tossing five consecutive scoreless frames. He finished the night with six innings pitched, striking out seven, walking three, and surrendering just four hits—all four runs earned came in that opening inning. After that rocky first, he limited the Dodgers to just one hit, showcasing his ability to adjust and settle in against a potent lineup.

Irvin’s track record against the Pittsburgh Pirates is more challenging. In his only start versus Pittsburgh on September 5, 2024, he took the loss after giving up six runs on seven hits over five innings, with three walks issued. That outing is one of his tougher assignments during the 2024 campaign.

The 2024 season marked Irvin’s first full year in the majors, and he proved to be a workhorse for the Nationals. He made 33 starts, tying for the most in Major League Baseball, and led the team with 187.2 innings pitched, fifth-most in the National League. Irvin also posted a 1.20 WHIP, ranking 10th in the NL, and matched MacKenzie Gore for the team lead with 10 wins. Beyond his pitching, Irvin excelled defensively, leading all MLB pitchers with six defensive runs saved, according to FanGraphs and Sports Info Solutions.

2025 Pitch Arsenal and Usage

• Curveball (35.7%)

• Four-seam fastball (27.6%)

• Sinker (18.4%)

• Changeup (14.7%)

• Cutter (3.3%)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS BY THE NUMBERS

The Washington Nationals have the following records.

• Day: 3-6 | Night: 3-4 | Road Record: 1-6

• A.L. Teams: 0-3  | N.L. Teams: 6-7 | N.L. Central: 0-1 

• Month Record: 5-7 | Current Streak: L3 | Previous Month Record: 1-3

• vs. LHSP: 2-2 | vs. RHSP: 4-8

• Series Opener: 2-4 | Series Opener on the Road: 1-2 |

• White Script Nationals: 0-2 | Red Curly W: 1-0 | City Connect: 2-2 | Blue Jersey: 2-0 | Road Gray: 1-6 | 42: 0-0