Two of baseball’s lowest-scoring offenses are set to square off at Nationals Park on Friday as the Washington Nationals (18-26) host the Detroit Tigers (19-22) for the opener of a three-game Interleague series. The Tigers are embarking on a six-game road trip.
They split their last series against the Pirates, dropping the finale 8-0 on Wednesday at Comerica Park. Matt Vierling had the only hit for Detroit, going 1 for 3. The Nationals are playing the first of six games at home.
They were just swept in three games against the Marlins, dropping the finale 5-3 on Thursday at loanDepot park. Jeimer Candelario went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double.
He drove in two runs. The teams are meeting for the first time since June 30, 2019, when the Nationals finished off a 2-1 series win with a 2-1 victory at Comerica Park.
ON THE MOUND
Matthew Boyd (2-3, 6.47 ERA) is in line to start for Detroit. The southpaw allowed six runs (five earned) over 1.1 innings in his last start, a 9-2 home defeat against the Mariners on May 12. He was charged with the loss, scattering five hits while striking out one and walking four.
For Washington, RHP Jake Irvin (1-1, 4.11 ERA) will take the mound. In his last start on Sunday, Irvin took the loss at home against the Mets. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up six runs on six hits, striking out six and walking one in the 8-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Detroit offense is averaging 3.5 runs per game for the season, lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .229/.294/.349. Riley Greene leads the team in OPS at .753. The center fielder is slashing .291/.341/.411 with three home runs, 15 RBIs, and 20 runs over 40 games.
Over the last five games, however, Detroit has averaged only 2.2 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.192/.263/.263). Against right-handed pitchers like Irvin this season, the Tigers have a .633 OPS, lowest in MLB.
Greene also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .794 OPS in 119 at-bats. Washington is slashing .260/.324/.369 for the season and averaging 4.0 runs per game, third lowest in the NL. Lane Thomas leads the team with a .762 OPS.
The center fielder has five home runs, 19 RBIs, and 27 runs scored with a slash line of .281/.337/.425. The Nats have a .788 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a 1.030 OPS over 47 at-bats, Thomas also has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 9-12 in road games in 2023, scoring 3.2 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Washington has gone 8-14 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. In five games at Nationals Park between the teams, Washington is 4-1 with an average scoreline of 4.0-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Tigers are second in the AL Central, three games behind the division-leading Twins. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, nine games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Detroit Tigers (-110)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
