CHICAGO – The Nationals proved this week they can beat the Marlins. Three times in a row, to be exact. And with a four-game series coming up next week in Miami, there’s some genuine optimism around this team for the first time in a while. But before that, there are three games to play this weekend at Wrigley Field against a much better Cubs team that remains in the thick of the National League wild card race.
The Nats swept the Marlins by jumping out to early leads and getting solid work from their starters, then lights-out work from their resurgent bullpen. So it’s imperative for Jake Irvin to keep the good rotation vibes going this afternoon. Irvin felt better about his last start against the Rays than any of his other recent outings, but he still allowed two homers in that game, leaving him with a league-leading 31 surrendered for the season. Well, the wind is going to be blowing out to right field today. Irvin has to find a way to keep the ball within the friendly confines and out of the bleachers.
The Nationals face Cubs right-hander Javier Assad, who didn’t make his season debut until Aug. 12 due to an oblique strain. He’s delivered back-to-back quality starts against the Angels and Rockies, and he pitched well in two starts against the Nats last season, allowing three runs each time (once over five innings, once over six).
Reminder: Today’s game is only available on Apple TV+. Bob Carpenter, Kevin Frandsen and Dan Kolko will be back on MASN for Saturday’s game.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CHICAGO CUBS
Where: Wrigley Field
Gametime: 2:20 p.m. EDT
TV: Apple TV+
Radio: 106.7 FM, 87.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 65 degrees, wind 20 mph out to right field
NATIONALS
LF James Wood
SS CJ Abrams
DH Josh Bell
RF Daylen Lile
2B Luis García Jr.
1B Andrés Chaparro
C Riley Adams
CF Robert Hassell III
3B Brady House
RHP Jake Irvin
CUBS
1B Michael Busch
LF Ian Happ
DH Seiya Suzuki
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
2B Nico Hoerner
RF Willi Castro
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Matt Shaw
C Reese McGuire
RHP Javier Assad