Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
First pitch: 6:45 p.m. ET
TV: Marquee Sports Network / Nationals.TV (streaming via Fubo/MLB.TV where available)
This is Game 2 of a three-game series. The Cubs took the opener 8-6 on Tuesday night behind home runs from Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman, and Seiya Suzuki, improving to a season-best 20 games over .500 and extending a strong recent stretch (seven wins in their last eight). Washington dropped its first game after a three-game winning streak. Chicago sits second in the NL Central; the Nationals are fourth in the NL East.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Cubs: LHP David Peterson (#19) — 6-7, 5.35 ERA, ~1.50 WHIP, 88 K in ~106 IP. Acquired midseason; has settled in with stronger recent outings (low-ERA stretch in his last several starts). Strong career numbers vs. the Nationals.
Nationals: LHP Jackson Kent — 0-0 (MLB debut). Top prospect (No. 8 in the Nationals system) making his first big-league start after solid minor-league work (notably strong at Double-A before a promotion to Triple-A). Left-handed matchup against a lefty-heavy Cubs lineup.
Peterson holds the experience edge; Kent’s debut introduces uncertainty but upside.
Venue & Weather Forecast
Nationals Park (outdoor venue with generally balanced dimensions; evening game).
Forecast: Mostly sunny and warm, high around 88°F, with lows near 72–73°F. Light northwest winds around 5 mph and low precipitation chance. Comfortable late-summer conditions with minimal weather interference expected.
Injury Reports
Cubs:
Matt Shaw (OF/INF): 10-day IL (hand).
Multiple 15-day IL arms: Daniel Palencia (elbow), Hoby Milner (appendicitis), Gavin Hollowell (shoulder), Phil Maton (knee), Edward Cabrera (hamstring).
Longer-term/60-day IL: Justin Steele, Shelby Miller, Hunter Harvey, Cade Horton, Porter Hodge, Riley Martin, Ben Brown, and others (mostly elbow-related). Bullpen and rotation depth tested.
Nationals:
James Wood (OF): 10-day IL (oblique).
Drew Millas (C): 10-day IL (finger).
Connelly Early (P): 15-day IL (elbow).
Longer-term/60-day IL: Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Ken Waldichuk, Richard Lovelady, Mitchell Parker, PJ Poulin (mostly arm injuries). Lineup and pitching depth impacted.
Current Rosters / Key Players
Cubs key contributors: Pete Crow-Armstrong (.285+ AVG, ~27 HR, speed), Seiya Suzuki, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson; balanced offense with strong recent power and on-base production.
Nationals key contributors: CJ Abrams (.286 AVG, ~29 HR), Brady House, Keibert Ruiz, Dylan Crews, Jacob Young; capable of putting up runs but inconsistent overall.
Key Player Versus Player Matchups & Notes
Crow-Armstrong, Bregman, and Suzuki (Cubs’ hot bats) vs. debutant Kent.
Abrams and the Nationals’ power core against Peterson’s left-handed stuff.
Both left-handed starters create platoon advantages; Nationals Park can play neutral-to-hitter-friendly in warm weather.
Cubs’ recent offensive surge (multiple multi-homer games) vs. Washington’s home struggles (26-35).
Season series: Tied 2-2 entering the series; Cubs lead this set 1-0.
Recent Team Forms
Cubs: 7-1 in last 8 / strong overall (70-50); excellent road form (35-26) and one of the hotter teams in the second half.
Nationals: 4-6 in last 10; mixed results with a recent three-game win streak snapped Tuesday. Home record poor.
Game Odds
Chicago Cubs – 162
Washington Nationals 9.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, August 11, 2026
