Overview

• Game One on Friday at 8:10 p.m. EDT at Target Field features Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore (4–9, 3.59 ERA) against Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (1–2, 6.26 ERA).
• Minnesota (49–53) has gone 4-6 over its last 10 games and remains five games out of a Wild Card spot.
• Washington (41–61) arrives off a series win over Cincinnati and faces what is likely its last full series before the July 31 trade deadline.
• Both clubs may reshape their rosters as expiring-contract Nationals players become trade candidates and Minnesota explores moves involving ace Joe Ryan and relievers Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran.
• Byron Buxton leads the Twins with 23 home runs and the Nationals will rely on power hitters James Wood and Josh Bell to spark their offense.