Nationals Look to Upset Brewers in Milwaukee

Washington visits American Family Field as underdogs against the surging Brewers

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:43am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between the struggling Nationals and the surging Brewers.Today in Milwaukee

The Washington Nationals (4-8) head to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers (8-4) at American Family Field on Friday night. The Brewers are favored at -145, while the Nationals are +125 underdogs. The pitching matchup features Jake Irvin for Washington and Chad Patrick for Milwaukee.

Why it matters

The Nationals have struggled to start the season, sitting in last place in the NL East with a 4-8 record. They'll look to pull off an upset against the hot-starting Brewers, who are off to an 8-4 beginning and sit atop the NL Central standings. This game could be an early barometer for both teams' playoff aspirations.

The details

The Nationals' offense has been a bright spot, averaging 5.9 runs per game, good for 3rd in MLB. They've hit 16 home runs and have a .339 team OBP. However, their pitching has been a major weakness, with a 6.06 team ERA that ranks 30th in baseball. The Brewers, meanwhile, have been solid on both sides of the ball, with a 3.77 team ERA and a .395 slugging percentage.

  • The game will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
  • First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM local time.

The players

Jake Irvin

The Nationals' starting pitcher, who has a 5.00 ERA and 1.344 WHIP in his MLB career so far.

Chad Patrick

The Brewers' starting pitcher, who has a 3.37 ERA and 1.294 WHIP in his pro career.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals are off to a 4-8 start and sit in last place in the NL East.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are 8-4 to start the season and lead the NL Central division.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to turn this season around and start winning some games. The Brewers are a tough opponent, but we're confident we can pull off the upset if our offense continues to produce.”

— Dave Martinez, Manager, Washington Nationals

“Our pitching and defense have been the keys to our success so far. We know the Nationals have a dangerous lineup, so we'll need to be sharp on the mound and in the field to come away with the win.”

— Craig Counsell, Manager, Milwaukee Brewers

What’s next

The Nationals will look to bounce back from their slow start, while the Brewers aim to continue their strong opening to the season. The winner of this game will gain an early advantage in the playoff race.

The takeaway

This matchup between the struggling Nationals and the surging Brewers will be an important early-season test for both teams. The Nationals' high-powered offense will be put to the test against Milwaukee's solid pitching and defense, while the Brewers will need to contain Washington's bats to come away with the victory.