Nationals to roll with unexpected arm to open Friday's series opener vs Padres

The Nationals have recently produced excellent pitching results, going 4-1 over their last five games while allowing at most three runs in any game and only eight total. Miles Mikolas has delivered consecutive scoreless outings, and Zack Littell has limited runs effectively over his last five starts. Jake Irvin previously pitched well against the Braves, but his right shoulder has been strained, leading to a 15-day injured list placement and a minimum two-week absence. With Irvin unavailable, Andrew Alvarez was initially expected to start, but revised plans call for Blake Butera to align with Paxton Schultz as an opener. The likely approach is a bullpen game where Schultz begins and Alvarez follows, potentially with a short leash for Schultz.

"The Nationals have indulged in fantastic pitching as of late. Over their last 5 games, the Nationals are 4-1 and have allowed no more than 3 runs in any game and just 8 in total (1.6 per game). The previously underperforming Miles Mikolas has posted consecutive scoreless outings. Zack Littell has allowed just 6 runs himself over his last 5 games, and no more than 2 runs in either affair."

"Irvin went very strong in his prior start on Saturday, May 23, against the Atlanta Braves. He pitched 5 innings with 7 strikeouts and zero runs allowed. However, that came at the cost of Irvin's right shoulder, which has been strained. He has been placed on the 15-Day IL and will now be out for a minimum of two weeks. Given his 2nd-worst ERA among Nationals starters, Irvin may not be missed too much."

"The Nationals had first been reported to be going with Andrew Alvarez as Friday's starter against the San Diego Padres. Alvarez surely would have earned the job with little resistance from the fans. He has a 2.84 ERA over 12.2 relief innings pitched in 2026. Backtracking to 2025, Alvarez in fact started 5 games for the Nationals, posting a 2.31 ERA over 4 innings per game."

"Revised reports state that Blake Butera will now side with Paxton Schultz as an opener in Friday's game. The expected case is that the Nationals go with a bullpen game, in which Schultz starts and is then turned over to Alvarez, if not anyone else. Schultz might have a short leash, being a poor pitcher who has a 5.30 ERA over 15 games played in 2026. The strategy to start Schultz may be questionable, but it is actually common practice among analytically driven MLB teams."

Read at District on Deck