Yankees-Nationals Preview WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The New York Yankees go for a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. under mostly cloudy skies with a temperature of 87 degrees. The Yankees (53-42) have won the first two games of this series by a combined 9-5, including a 4-2 victory Saturday behind a strong start from right-hander Cam Schlittler. New York has won four of its last six and sits 2½ games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the American League East. The Nationals (48-48) have dropped three of four and are two games below .500 for the first time since June 28. Washington has lost four of its last five home games. Pitching matchup Right-hander Cam Schlittler (3-2, 3.20 ERA in last five starts) takes the mound for New York. The 25-year-old has been dominant in two of his last three outings, striking out eight over eight innings of one-run ball at Tampa Bay on July 6 and fanning 13 over six shutout innings vs. Cincinnati on June 19. He yielded two runs over 6⅔ innings in Saturday’s win against Washington. Right-hander Miles Mikolas (2-3, 5.40 ERA in last six starts) starts for Washington. He took the loss Saturday despite allowing no earned runs over four innings. Mikolas was hit hard in his previous two outings, surrendering 13 earned runs over 13 innings. Players to watch Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Saturday’s win. He is 4-for-9 with two home runs in the series. Nationals right fielder James Wood is 5-for-9 with a home run and two RBIs in the series after going 3-for-5 Saturday. Series context The Yankees have won five of their last six against the Nationals dating to last season. Washington has not won a series against New York since 2019. Upcoming New York returns home for a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers starting July 17. Washington travels to Oakland for a three-game series beginning July 17. Projection Interstat’s game simulator gives Washington a 5-4 edge.