The Washington Nationals kick off a three game series against the Chicago Cubs this afternoon in Chicago. The Nationals are scheduled to send right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin to the mound who has a 8-10 record and an ERA of 5.42, they will face right-handed pitcher Javier Assad who has a 1-1 record and an ERA of 4.05.

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On Deck…

Tomorrow the Washington Nationals will play game two of three against the Chicago Cubs and are scheduled to send RHP Brad Lord (4-8;4.34 ERA) and are scheduled to face LHP Matthew Boyd (12-7; 2.94 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. EDT.

In the hole…

On Sunday, the Nationals will finish up their three game series against the Cubs and are scheduled to send lefty Andrew Alvarez who will be making his second MLB start and first road start of his career.

The Nationals’ bullpen, once one of the team’s biggest liabilities, has recently flipped the script. For much of the season, late-inning struggles cost Washington games they were otherwise positioned to win. But over the last two weeks, that narrative has changed dramatically. Since August 20, Nationals relievers lead all of Major League Baseball with a 2.05 ERA and have cut opponents down to a meager .139 batting average. That kind of dominance not only stabilizes a fragile pitching staff but also injects confidence into a young roster still learning how to win tight ballgames.

And it matters for more than just this series. For the Nationals, this stretch serves as both a test and a statement. If their bullpen can prove that recent success isn’t a blip but a sustainable trend, it signals progress for a club still in the thick of its rebuild. Each close win against playoff-caliber opponents accelerates player development, builds clubhouse belief, and reshapes the perception of Washington as a dangerous opponent. Conversely, if old habits return and late-inning leads slip away, it could stall the momentum that has carried them through September.

Ultimately, the bullpen’s performance isn’t just a subplot—it’s the hinge on which the Nationals’ immediate and long-term aspirations swing. How this group responds against the Cubs may reveal not only whether Washington can extend its win streak, but also whether the team is beginning to form the reliable backbone it will need to contend in the years ahead.

James Wood’s 2025 season has been a strong showcase of his developing talent and emerging role as a cornerstone for the Washington Nationals. Across 137 games, Wood posted a solid .258 batting average, complemented by a .355 on-base percentage and an impressive .474 slugging percentage, resulting in a robust .829 OPS. He displayed a blend of power and speed, hitting 27 home runs while also stealing 15 bases, showing an ability to impact the game in multiple ways.

Wood contributed significantly to the Nationals’ offense with 86 RBIs and scoring 76 runs, ranking him among the team’s top run producers.

James Wood’s 2025 season matters for the Nationals and baseball at large because he represents the franchise’s new identity and future hope. As a 22-year-old emerging star, Wood has quickly become the team’s cornerstone, combining elite power, plate discipline, and speed to produce one of the most exciting offensive profiles in the league. His advanced metrics place him among MLB’s rising elite, drawing comparisons to franchise-changing players like Juan Soto and even Aaron Judge at similar points in their careers.

Wood’s impact goes beyond stats—his poise, leadership, and work ethic have brought stability and optimism to a rebuilding Nationals roster. He is a fan favorite and clubhouse leader who symbolizes the team’s turnaround efforts and competitive aspirations. The growth Wood demonstrates this season shows that the Nationals can develop a bona fide star internally, which is rare for a team still in the midst of its rebuild.

Rookie outfielder Daylen Lile has emerged as one of the brightest storylines in Washington’s lineup, giving the Nationals something they’ve badly needed—a reliable spark at the plate. Over his last 30 games, the 21-year-old is hitting .321 with a .362 on-base percentage, numbers that not only highlight his hot streak but also underscore his advanced approach for a young hitter still adjusting to major league pitching. Beyond the stat line, Lile’s knack for reaching base and setting the table has provided a much-needed boost for an offense that too often struggles to string together consistent production.

His presence becomes even more pivotal in this series against the Cubs, whose pitching staff ranks among the league’s most effective. Chicago has the ability to suppress power and limit damage in critical spots, which means a player like Lile—capable of keeping innings alive and sparking rallies—can tilt the balance. If he continues to set the tone at the top or middle of the order, Washington’s bats have a better chance of generating the sustained pressure required to crack one of baseball’s deeper staffs.

Jake Irvin is set to take the mound for the Nationals in game one against the Cubs. Irvin comes into this start recording a lose in five out of his last six starts, bringing him to an 8-10 record and a 5.42 ERA on the season. Irvin has recorded 102 strikeouts this season and last pitched four days ago against the Tampa Bay Rays where Irvin pitched six innings, struck out three batters and allowed five hits and four runs in a 4-1 loss.

Jake Irvin was a fourth round pick by The Nationals in 2018 out of the University of Oklahoma. Irvin the 6’6 234 pound right hander made his MLB in 2023 and carries a 21-31 career record, with a 4.80 ERA and 357 career strikeouts. Irvin started the season strong for the Nationals posting a sub 3.00 ERA in his first 18 starts, however the second half of the season has been a struggle for Irvin recording a 6.00 ERA.

VS. Chicago Cubs

In one start against the Cubs this season Irving threw five innings and allowed three runs on eight hits, Pete Crow Armstrong hit a 412-foot home run in the top of the first inning off Irvin. In four career appearances against The Cubs Irvin posts a 8.00 ERA and an 0-3 record with 18 innings pitched. Irvin has allowed 22 hits, 16 earned runs and five home runs to go along with six walks.

The Cubs and Nationals square off this week for their second and final meeting of the 2025 season (Chicago leads the series 2-1). All-time, the Cubs are 316-333 against Washington (dating back to 1969), with a 172-154 record at Wrigley Field and a 144-179 mark in D.C. Since Nationals Park opened in 2008, Chicago is 31-27 there. The Cubs have dominated the recent matchup, going 10-2 against Washington since July 18, 2023, including a seven-game win streak spanning from July 2023 through September 2024.

Kyle Tucker has reached base in 10 of his last 11 games since August 22, collecting hits in nine of those contests. Over that span, he’s 16-for-40 (.400) with four doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI, a .489 on-base percentage, and a 1.289 OPS. This hot streak follows a rough stretch from August 12–21, when he went just 2-for-29 (.069) across eight games. Since August 22, Tucker’s 1.289 OPS ranks third in the majors, while his .800 slugging percentage and .489 OBP each sit fourth.

Where Things Stand: With 22 games left in the regular season, the Cubs hold the third-best record in the National League and fifth-best in the majors at 80-60 (.571). Since August 16, Chicago’s 12-7 mark also ranks third-best in the NL and fifth in MLB. Currently, the team is 7-5 during a 28-game stretch against clubs at or below .500 that began August 22 and runs through September 21.

Javier Assad has just four games played this season with only 20 innings pitched posting a 4.05 ERA and just 10 strikeouts to go along with a 1-1 record. Assad began the year on the 60 day Injured List with a left oblique strain. Assad made a rehab start for the Cubs triple A team the Iowa Cubs on July 30th where he threw 3 and 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run.

Assad is a 6’1 200 pound right hander has been signed with the Cubs organization in 2015 as an international free agent. Javier made his MLB debut in August 2022 and since then has appeared in 74 games for the Cubs posting a 15-12 record with a 3.44 ERA and 258 strike outs. Assad has pitched as both a starter and reliever in his career and has displayed great versatility between the two roles.

VS. WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Javier Assad has appeared in three games against the Nationals in his career all three of which were in a starting role. Assad has been solid against Washington posting a 1-0 record with 16 innings pitched, a 3.38 ERA to go along with 10 strikeouts. Assad has gone at least 5 innings in every start against the Nationals in his career.

Day: 36-28 | Night: 44-32 | Home Record: 43-26 | Road Record: 37-34

Current Streak: L1 | Last Five: 3-2 | Last Ten: 5-5 | Current Month: 2-1

Series Opener: 24-22 | Series Opener at Home: 16-7

A.L. Teams: 28-17 | N.L. Teams: 52-43 | N.L. East: 11-10