Nationals lean on Abrams’ bat in series battle with Pirates

WASHINGTON: The Washington Nationals continue to rely on the red-hot form of CJ Abrams as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third game of their four-game series on Wednesday night.

Abrams has been a standout performer this season, hitting .356 with a 1.121 OPS, along with six home runs and 19 RBIs in just 16 games. His impressive run has placed him among the hottest hitters in Major League Baseball and on track for career-best numbers.

He played a key role in the Nationals’ narrow 5-4 victory on Tuesday, collecting three hits and two RBIs, including a home run. His impact could have been even greater had he not been thrown out at home plate on a sharp defensive play by Pittsburgh’s Jake Mangum.

The Nationals, who have now won four of their last five games, will once again look to Abrams to deliver offensively as right-hander Jake Irvin takes the mound. Irvin, who holds a 1-1 record with a 7.07 ERA this season, will aim to build on his last outing where he allowed three runs over five innings in a win against Milwaukee.

Manager Blake Butera praised Abrams’ all-around contribution, highlighting not just his batting but also his leadership on the field.

For the Pirates, Brandon Lowe has also been in strong form, becoming the first player in franchise history to record five RBIs in consecutive games since 1920. Despite his performance, a late-game managerial decision to substitute him drew criticism after a missed scoring opportunity in Tuesday’s loss.

Pittsburgh are yet to confirm a starter for Wednesday’s game, though right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski is expected to be in contention. If selected, he will look to build on his recent scoreless outing against the Chicago Cubs.

With both teams showing flashes of strong form, the series remains finely balanced heading into the crucial third game.