Washington vs Detroit   Results, Match Player Stats & Records

Valdez's inconsistency is one of the reasons why the Tigers (74-84) find themselves out of the playoff picture. The 32-year-old left-hander was signed in the offseason to a three-year contract as a free agent to be the team's No. 2 starter behind ace Tarik Skubal.

By default, Valdez is the only member of the original five-man starting staff who has lasted the season. Skubal and Casey Mize, both of whom are headed to free agency, were dealt for prospects. Jack Flaherty and Justin Verlander had their seasons wrecked by injuries.

Valdez posted winning records in each of his last six seasons with Houston and never finished with an ERA higher than 3.66 in that time. He enters his 31st start this season with a 10-11 record and 4.06 ERA.

His recent outings reflect the up-and-down nature of his first season in Detroit. He gave up three or more earned runs in each of his last four August starts. He then posted quality starts against Cleveland and Colorado to open September, not allowing an earned run over 13 innings while tallying two victories.

In his most recent outing on Thursday, however, he lasted just five innings against the Chicago White Sox. He gave up a three-run homer to Munetaka Murakami in the first inning.

"I think there was one pitch to regret," he said through an interpreter. "I think I just left it there hanging and he managed to make good contact with it. But if you put that aside, I was doing my job, being aggressive, having them hit as many ground balls as possible."

His innings were limited by control problems -- he walked four batters. Valdez is 1-0 with a 1.31 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals.

Washington will answer with Richard Lovelady, a reliever by trade who will make sixth start of the season (37th appearance) in a bullpen game. He is 3-4 with a 3.86 ERA and four saves this season.

Over his career, he has made five relief appearances with an 0-1 record and an ERA of 9.00 in four innings.

At the plate, the Nationals' most dynamic young players, James Wood and CJ Abrams, have gone 4-for-15 during the first two games of the series.

Wood missed most of last month due to an oblique strain but has still racked up 30 homers and 76 RBIs while scoring 104 runs and stealing 21 bases. Abrams has a career-high 33 homers and 102 RBIs while scoring 92 runs and stealing 33 bases.

Abrams provided all the offense the Nationals would need on Tuesday. He reached the 100-RBI mark with a solo homer. He then broke a 1-1 tie by clubbing a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Washington held on for a 3-1 win.

They're building blocks for a franchise that hasn't sniffed the postseason since winning it all in 2019. The Nationals (74-84) haven't posted a winning season since winning the World Series in 2019 but if they can improve their woeful bullpen, Wood and Abrams could carry them to the postseason as early as next year.

"The athleticism -- they're both dynamic players and bring so much to the table outside of when they're in the batter's box," manager Blake Butera said. "I think, honestly, our job is just to set them free and let them go play and do what they do best. ... They're both total-package players, and I'm lucky just to be able to sit there and watch them do their thing. I'm happy they're on our team."

--Field Level Media