Game Thread #95: Milwaukee Brewers (54-40) vs. Washington Nationals (38-56)

Brandon Woodruff makes his return to the Milwaukee mound

There’s a lot going on in Milwaukee! This afternoon, Brandon Woodruff makes what will surely be an emotional return in front of his home fans as he makes his first start at American Family Field since September 17, 2023 when he coincidentally faced the same team he’ll face today, the Washington Nationals.

The Brewers come in as one of the hottest teams in baseball, and if results go their way today, they could draw even with the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central for the first time since April 11, when the Brewers were 8-6 and the Cubs were 9-7.

Finally, today’s game comes on the back of the (somewhat controversial) news that Jacob Misiorowski will be the least-experienced All-Star in the history of the league. That goes back to 1933, folks.

Woodruff’s first start back couldn’t have gone better. On Sunday in Miami, in his first game action in nearly two years, Woodruff tossed six innings, didn’t walk a batter, struck out eight, and allowed only two hits and a run in a game the Brewers won 3-1.

Starting for the Nationals today will be the 27-year-old rookie left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara, who, according to Baseball Reference, is nicknamed “Big Cowboy.” Ogasawara has made only one appearance in the major leagues, a start on Sunday versus the Red Sox in which he allowed seven hits and four runs in 2 ²⁄₃ innings. Ogasawara pitched in Japan through last season, and in nine years in NPB, he went 46-65 with a 3.62 ERA. He signed a two-year low-money free agent deal with the Nationals before this season, and made only six appearances in the minors (he had a 4.50 ERA, 24 strikeouts, and six walks in 24 innings) before being promoted. There is a lot of unknown here.

The Brewers are using their “lefty” lineup today, with Jackson Chourio third and Christian Yelich fourth. Andrew Vaughn, who has a hit and an RBI in each of the four games he’s appeared in as a Brewer, bats fifth. If he keeps that streak going for the rest of the season, I think we’ll be in a good spot.

Two more until the All-Star break. First pitch is at 3:10 p.m. on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.