Zack Littell allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out five over five innings in Friday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

After the defeat, Littell now has a 5.17 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with a 7-8 record through 21 games. He is slated to make his next appearance against the Blue Jays next week.

Zack Littell will pitch in a bulk relief role on Friday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Carson Palmquist will open for the Nationals. Littell will follow him in a bulk relief role.

Zack Littell allowed eight earned runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings in Saturday's loss to the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

After the blowup in the 15-1 defeat, Littell now has a 5.34 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with a 7-7 record across 20 games. His eight runs allowed tie a season worst performance. He will look to bounce back in his next outing against Arizona.

Littell didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on five hits over four innings of relief. He struck out five without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander put together one of his better outings of the season, tossing 49 of 69 pitches for strikes after taking over in the fourth inning from opener Carson Palmquist, but the Nationals' bullpen cost Littell his eighth win of the season with another meltdown in the ninth. He's given up two runs of fewer in four straight starts, heading into the All-Star break with a 2.84 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB through 19 innings over that stretch.

Littell will operate as a bulk reliever for the Nationals in Friday's game versus the Yankees, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lefty Carson Palmquist will get the ball first as the Nats' opener. Littell has made 12 starts and six bulk-relief appearances this season and has fared much better in the latter role, holding a 3.03 ERA and 17:7 K:BB over 29.2 innings.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Saturday as the Nationals fell 7-1 to the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six relief innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran righty put together an impressive performance as the bulk reliever, tossing 57 of 87 pitches for strikes in the equivalent of a quality start, but opener Carson Palmquist had coughed up four runs before Littell even set foot on the mound. Littell has given up two or fewer runs in three straight outings to lower his ERA on the season to 5.02, and he's set to get his next turn through the rotation at home next weekend against the Yankees.

Littell will work in bulk relief during Saturday's game against the Pirates, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carson Palmquist will open the game for the Nationals but is likely to cover an inning or two before Littell takes over. Littell has notched a 3.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 23.2 innings following an opener this season and a 6.07 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 56.1 innings as a traditional starter.

Littell (7-6) earned the win Sunday over the Orioles, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

The O's took an early lead off Littell on Sunday thanks to Pete Alonso's two-run homer in the first inning. However, the right-hander held Baltimore scoreless over his final four frames while the Nats rallied for an eventual 6-4 victory. Littell, who worked as a traditional starter Sunday after appearing in bulk relief in his last outing against the Phillies, sports a 5.29 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 49:25 K:BB across 80 innings this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Pirates at home his next time out.

Littell did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 14-9 loss to the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts over four innings.

EDGE Analysis

Littell entered in the second inning and pitched well before allowing two runs in the fifth, departing in line for a potential win before the Nationals' bullpen imploded late. While the 30-year-old owns a 5.40 ERA in 16 total appearances this season, he's pitched to a 3.28 mark in his five bulk relief outings. He'll take a 5.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 46:23 K:BB across 75 innings this season into a road matchup against the Orioles this weekend.

Littell will be used in bulk relief Tuesday against the Phillies, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He's fared better this season as a bulk reliever (3.20 ERA) than traditional starter (6.31 ERA). The right-handed Littell will be preceded Tuesday by left-handed opener PJ Poulin.