The week ahead
vs. Nationals
Monday, 6:40 p.m. (SN PIT)
Tuesday, 6:40 p.m. (SN PIT)
Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. (SN PIT)
Thursday, 12:35 p.m. (SN PIT)
• The Nationals have sputtered to a 4-8 start this season, including a 1-5 mark at home. They are last in the NL East entering Friday. Washington was swept by the Dodgers and dropped two of three to the Cardinals. The Nationals are among the highest-scoring teams in baseball, averaging 5.92 runs through 12 games. Pitching has been another story. The staff is last in the league with a 6.06 ERA and 24 homers allowed.
vs. Rays
Friday, 6:45 p.m. (Apple TV)
Saturday, 4:05 p.m. (SN PIT)
Sunday, 1:35 p.m. (SN PIT)
• Tampa Bay started the season 5-7 and is in the middle of the pack in the AL East. The Rays dropped two of three to the Cubs this week after going 2-1 at Minnesota. LF Chandler Simpson has been a bright spot with a team-high 18 hits and a .391 average through 12 games. DH Yandy Diaz is batting .362 with three homers and 10 RBIs. The Rays are planning to build a new ballpark to open in time for the 2029 season.