2:20 p.m. EDT | Wrigley Field | Chicago IL.

RHP Jake Irvin (8-10;5.42 ERA) vs.RHP Javier Assad (1-1;4.05)

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.

Javier Assad is set to start for the Cubs on the mound Friday. 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.

2:20 p.m. EDT| Wrigley Field | Chicago IL.

RHP Brad Lord (4-8;4.34 ERA) vs. LHP Matthew Boyd (12-7; 2.94 ERA)

Right handed pitcher Brad Lord will start game two for the Nationals on Saturday. In his last appearance three days ago Lord pitched just three innings in which he allowed seven runs on five hits and recorded just three strikeouts. Lord has appeared in 43 games this season in a starting role as well as a reliever role. Lord has recorded 103.2 innings pitched this season along with 85 strikeouts.

Brad Lord was an 18th round draft pick out of the University of South Florida in the 2022 MLB draft for the Nationals and made his MLB debut on opening day this season out of the bullpen. Lord has looking like a promising young arm on a Nationals team that is filled with young talent.

VS. Chicago Cubs

Lord has appeared in just one inning against the Cubs this season and faced four batters in which he recorded one walk no runs and no hits.

On the mound in game two for the Cubs Matthew Boyd will get the start. Boyd has been solid for the Cubs all season starting 27 games for them this season and posting a 12-7 record with a 2.94 ERA. Boyd has recorded 159.1 innings pitched this season to go along with 142 strikeouts. Boyd however has been shaky as of recent recording a loss in four of his last seven starts.

Matthew Boyd an 11 year MLB veteran out of Oregon State was a sixth round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays and made his debut for Toronto in July of 2015. Boyd has bounced around the league having played for the Blue Jays, Tigers, Guardians and Mariners. Boyd has a 58-76 career record with a 4.56 career ERA. Boyd signed with the Cubs in December 2024 inking a two year 30 million dollar deal with the team.

VS. WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Boyd has recorded 2 career starts against the Nationals. One of which came this season in which he pitched 7.1 innings recorded six strikeouts and two earned runs as the Nationals went onto win 2-0 and Boyd would record the loss. His other start came in 2023 with the Detroit Tigers where he pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three earned runs with four strikeouts, Boyd would record the win on his stat sheet to go along with an 8-6 Tigers victory.

2:20 p.m EDT.| Wrigley Field| Chicago IL.

LHP Andrew Alvarez (1-0;0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Colin Rea (10-6; 4.30 ERA)

For the final game of the series the Nationals will give Andrew Alvarez the start. Alvarez was called up the big leagues from triple A Rochester on September 1st where he made his MLB debut against the Marlins. In his first career start Alvarez pitched five shutout innings allowing just one hit, walking two batters and striking out four batters; the Nationals went onto win 10-5.

Alvarez was a 12th round pick in 2021 by the Nationals and has excelled in the Minors before being called up. Alvarez was named “Minor League Pitcher of the Year” in 2023 when he recorded a 7-7 record to go along with a 2.99 ERA and 108 strikeouts. This past season in triple A, Alvarez posted a 3-7 record with a 4.10 ERA and 114 strikeouts. Alvarez looks to be a promising young prospect for the Nationals and he will get his chance to shine against a very good Cubs team.

VS. Chicago Cubs

N/A

Colin Rea will start the third and final game of the series for the Cubs against the Nationals this Sunday. Rea a right handed pitcher has been good for Chicago this season posting a 10-7 record with a 4.34 ERA in 136 innings pitched. Rea has struck out 98 batters this season and allowed 20 home runs. His last start was Monday against the Atlanta Braves, Rea recorded four innings pitched, five hits, three strikeout and allowed three earned runs but did not record a win or a loss; Chicago went onto win this game 8-7.

Colin Rea was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2011 in the 12th round and made his MLB debut in August of 2015 with the Padres. Since then he has bounced around multiple teams having played for the Marlins, two stints with the Brewers and a season with the Cubs minor league team in 2020. Rea returned to Chicago this season and has pitched well for them, Rea will look to finish the season strong and keep things rolling into the postseason.

VS. WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Colin Rea has started three games against the Nationals in his career, one with the Padres in 2016 where he recorded 6.1 innings pitched, six strikeouts, four hits, and one earned run;He did not however record a win or loss for this game. His second start against the Nationals was with the Brewers last season where he recorded a win in 5.2 innings pitched giving up five hits and two earned runs. Reas last start against the Nationals came in June of this year where he pitched 5.1 innings allowing five hits and no earned runs, Rea would record a win as the Cubs would go onto beat the Nationals 7-1.

We are going Streaking: As the Washington Nationals kick off another road trip, can the Nationals continue their winning ways after sweeping the Miami Marlins?

Bullpen performance in close games: While the Nationals relief corps has struggled for much of the season, they have recently found some success, with their bullpen leading MLB with a 2.05 ERA since August 20 and holding opponents to a .139 batting average. Maintaining this momentum will be crucial, especially with starter Jake Irvin typically not working deep into games and the Cubs excelling in late-inning situations thanks to their strong bullpen. How Washington’s relievers perform under pressure could be the difference between keeping their win streak alive or faltering against Chicago’s playoff-contending lineup

Daylen Lile’s hot streak and lineup production: Rookie outfielder Daylen Lile has been on fire, hitting .321 with a .362 OBP over his last 30 games, making him a key source of offense for Washington in a lineup searching for consistency. His ability to get on base and spark rallies could be pivotal against a Cubs pitching staff that ranks among the better units in the league. If Lile and the young core (including James Wood) continue producing, the Nationals could put pressure on Chicago at Wrigley Field..