Venue & First Pitch
- Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
- Time: 2:20 PM ET
- Broadcast: Apple TV+
- Capacity: 41,649
Weather Forecast (Chicago, IL – First Pitch)
- Conditions: Partly cloudy, warm
- Temperature: ~78°F
- Wind: W at 7–9 mph (slight boost to balls hit toward left field)
- Precipitation: <10%
- Impact: Favorable hitting conditions with mild wind
Injury Report
Nationals
- No new major injuries; several rookies in lineup as part of September call-ups
Cubs
- No significant changes to active roster; bullpen fully available
Recent Form
Washington Nationals (Last 5): W‑W‑W‑L‑L
- Swept Miami in last series, outscoring them 17–7
- Pitching allowed just 1 HR in that set
Chicago Cubs (Last 5): L‑W‑W‑L‑W
- Took 2 of 3 from Atlanta before a 5‑1 loss in finale
- Cade Horton tossed 5 no-hit innings in last start
Projected Starting Pitchers
- WSH: RHP Jake Irvin (8‑10, 5.42 ERA, 1.41 WHIP)
- Road: 6‑6, 5.76 ERA in 15 starts
- Career vs. Cubs: 0‑3, 8.00 ERA in 4 starts
- CHC: RHP Javier Assad (1‑1, 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP)
- Home: 0‑0, 2.25 ERA in 1 start
- Career vs. Nationals: 1‑0, 3.38 ERA in 3 games (2 starts)
Key Player Matchups
- CJ Abrams (WSH) vs. Javier Assad (CHC)
- Abrams: 20 HR, 70 RBI; speed threat on basepaths
- Assad: Relies on soft contact; must keep Abrams off base
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC) vs. Jake Irvin (WSH)
- PCA: 28 HR, 80+ RBI; power-speed combo
- Irvin: Vulnerable to HRs (1.4 HR/9)
- Seiya Suzuki (CHC) vs. Nationals Bullpen
- Suzuki: Team-high 89 RBI; thrives vs. middle relief
Series History
- All-Time: Nationals lead 335‑319‑1
- 2025 Season Series: Cubs lead 2‑1
- Recent: Cubs have won 5 of last 7 meetings
Betting Trends
- Cubs: 10‑1 as -235 or greater favorite this season; OVER in 63 of 136 games
- Nationals: 3‑9 as +194 or longer underdog; UNDER in 6 of last 8 road games
- Cubs 8‑1 in last 9 home games vs. WSH
Game Odds
Washington Nationals 9.5
Chicago Cubs – 235
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, September 4, 2025
