Giants vs Nationals: Ray vs Mikolas

0:00It's April 19th. From game day to every day, this is Washington Nationals News Today, powered by AI. San Francisco Giants head to Washington to face the Nationals this Sunday at 1.35 PM Eastern. Both teams sit at 9.12 overall, with the Giants forth in the National League West and NATS third in the East. Robbie Ray takes the mound for San Francisco, sporting a 2-in-2 record, 2.42 ERA, and 24 strikeouts. Nationals counter with Miles Mikolas, 0-3 with an 11.49 ERA. Betting line has Giants favorite at minus 151, over under 8.5 runs. Giants aim to extend a 3-game road win streak, holding 6-5 away from home. NATS struggle at 1-in-7 in Washington, but go 8-in-2 when outfitting foes. San Francisco boasts the 7th best team batting average at 2-53. This marks the third matchup between them this season. Top dogs stepping up include Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, with 6 homers and 3 doubles.

1:04James Woods been hot lately, 13 for 39 over 10 gains with 3 dingers and 8 RBIs. For Giants, Luis Areas hits 3-21 with a double and 2 triples, while Casey Schmitz 16 for 41 recently, including 5. Doubles and 2 bombs. Last 10 games show Giants at 6-4, batting 287 with a 3.54 ERA, outscoring foes by 9 runs. NATS are 5-in-5, 240 average, 5.77 ERA, down 14 runs total. Both squads deal with injury woes. Nationals missing pitchers like Josiah Gray and DJ Hers on 60-day IELs, Giants sideline with Harrison Bader's. Hamstring and several arms out long-term. Keep an eye on how Ray fares against that NATS lineup. Could tip the scales in this tight NL clash.