The Milwaukee Brewers bring the best record in the National League with them when they visit the Washington Nationals for a three-game series starting on Friday.
The Brewers were relatively quiet at the trade deadline, acquiring outfielder Brandon Lockridge from the San Diego Padres after obtaining catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this week.
Meanwhile, it was another deadline sell-off for the rebuilding Nationals, who are 20 games below .500 in a season that began with aspirations of contending for a playoff berth.
The Nationals did not trade ace MacKenzie Gore but did move several veterans. Closer Kyle Finnegan was dealt to the Detroit Tigers for a pair of right-handed pitchers, and Washington also dealt outfielder Alex Call, infielder Amed Rosario, starting pitcher Michael Soroka and relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis Garcia for prospects.
The Brewers visit Washington after sweeping the Nationals in three games as part of a 6-0 homestand heading into the All-Star break.
Milwaukee left-hander Jose Quintana (7-4, 3.50 ERA) will oppose lefty Mitchell Parker (7-10, 4.91) in the Friday opener.
On June 7, Quintana allowed one run in five innings against the San Diego Padres and lowered his ERA to 2.66. Since then, he has gone 3-3 with a 4.46 ERA in seven starts. Last time out, he allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits in five innings of a loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday. He struck out two and walked two while throwing 99 pitches.
“I don’t think he was great. He was behind in the count a lot,” manager Pat Murphy said. “Changeup wasn’t a factor like it normally is. (Miami) is playing great and they are getting clutch hits, but he could have been out of that mess.”
In eight career starts against the Nationals, Quintana is 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA.
After a tough stretch in early July, Parker has bounced back. He has allowed two runs in each of his past two starts — both wins — including a Saturday game in which he pitched 5 2/3 innings against the Minnesota Twins. He allowed eight hits, struck out four and walked one while making good use of his slider.
“We kind of did it a little bit last outing. We like where it’s at and how the feel is for it,” Parker said. “We’re obviously mixing it in a little bit more. It opens up a lot of doors and it’s definitely useful out there.”
Parker is 1-1 with a 9.53 ERA in three career starts against the Brewers, including a July 11 defeat when he was roughed up for seven runs in 4 2/3 innings at Milwaukee.
The Brewers finished a 3-3 homestand with a 10-3 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday that cut their NL Central lead to one game over Chicago.
Milwaukee catcher William Contreras, who had not homered since June 14, hit two long balls on Wednesday.
“We’re here with one of the best records in the league, and very few people thought we would be sitting here with the record that we do have,” Contreras said.
“I’m just very appreciative for the guys that we do have in here and for the effort guys are giving. This is what we’re going to continue to give for the rest of the season.”
The Nationals lost 9-1 against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, their second straight defeat as they wrapped up a 3-3 road trip.
–Field Level Media
