Dodgers – Nationals: Dodgers Line Up to Keep Hot Start Rolling
The dodgers – nationals matchup shifts to Saturday in Washington, where the Los Angeles Dodgers will try to extend the momentum from a 13-6 win in the series opener. The game pits Tyler Glasnow against Jake Irvin, with the Dodgers aiming to keep their offense clicking early and often.
Los Angeles enters the second game of the series at 5-2, while Washington is 3-4. The Dodgers announced a lineup built around Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith, with Andy Pages batting seventh and Tyler Glasnow set to start on the mound.
Dodgers – Nationals lineup brings the same core, plus a few shifts
The Dodgers are staying with a familiar heavy-hitting top of the order after the club broke open the series on Friday. Ohtani will lead off as the designated hitter, followed by Tucker in right field, Betts at shortstop, Freeman at first base, Smith behind the plate, and Max Muncy at third.
Pages remains in the lineup in center field, while Alex Freeland gets a start at second base and Alex Call starts in left field. Call is making his first start of the season after a brief appearance on Friday, and the matchup carries extra meaning because the Nationals are his former team. The lineup gives Los Angeles another look at a group that produced power throughout the first game, including home runs from Freeman, Tucker, Ohtani, and Betts.
Glasnow gets the ball after a sharp team performance
Tyler Glasnow takes over after Emmet Sheehan had a rough start on Friday, and the Dodgers will want a steadier outing to keep control of the series. Glasnow has a 3. 00 ERA, six strikeouts, and a 0. 83 WHIP, while Jake Irvin enters with a 3. 60 ERA, seven strikeouts, and a 0. 80 WHIP.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff has generally limited runs, and the team will hope Glasnow can help reset the tone immediately. The right-hander enters a favorable setting against a Dodgers – nationals opponent that already saw Los Angeles do major damage one night earlier.
What to watch in the second game
The biggest question is whether Los Angeles can carry over the same early pressure that made Friday’s win so decisive. The Dodgers were described as making hard contact regularly and turning that into hits, which allowed the offense to build control instead of relying only on late rallies.
Saturday’s game also gives the Dodgers a chance to keep pushing Andy Pages and maintain balance across the lineup. If the Dodgers – nationals game follows the same pattern as the opener, Washington will need a much cleaner night from Irvin to slow the damage.
For Los Angeles, the task is simple: keep the ball rolling, stay aggressive, and let the lineup and Glasnow set the pace in the Dodgers – nationals series. The early innings should reveal whether the opener was a burst or the start of a longer run.
