First pitch: approximately 6:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
This is part of a multi-game series (sources indicate a three- or four-game set). The Rockies snapped a seven-game skid with a 3-1 win on Tuesday behind Hunter Goodman’s return homer. The Nationals took the series opener 13-3 on Monday. Both clubs are well out of contention: Colorado sits last in the NL West with the NL’s worst record, while Washington is fourth in the NL East.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Rockies: RHP Tanner Gordon (0-4, 5.75 ERA, ~1.49 WHIP in 76.2 IP with 64 strikeouts). He has mixed bulk and starting roles this season, performing better on the road at times but overall struggling with consistency and home-run prevention.
Nationals: RHP Matt Waldron (1-2, 7.54 ERA, 1.62 WHIP in 37 IP with 31 strikeouts). The knuckleballer was recently claimed off waivers (from Toronto after earlier time with San Diego) and activated; he is expected to open or start and has struggled at the MLB level this year after better minor-league results.
Current Weather Forecast (Washington, D.C. / Nationals Park)
Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s°F (around 86–89°F). Light south/southeast winds 5–10 mph. Low chance of showers later in the evening or overnight (around 30%). Comfortable conditions expected for an evening game with no major precipitation threat during typical first-pitch hours.
Injury Reports
Rockies: Kyle Freeland (neck, 15-day), Sean Sullivan (undisclosed, 15-day), Kyle Karros (concussion, 7-day), plus longer-term IL names including Kris Bryant (back), José Quintana, Chase Dollander, McCade Brown, and several other pitchers (elbows). Hunter Goodman recently returned from a shoulder issue.
Nationals: James Wood (oblique, 10-day), Drew Millas (finger, 10-day), plus multiple pitchers on the 60-day IL (Josiah Gray, DJ Herz, Mitchell Parker, Connelly Early, Ken Waldichuk, Richard Lovelady, PJ Poulin, and others). Rotation and bullpen depth remain challenged.
Key Current Roster Contributors
Rockies: Hunter Goodman (power, recently returned with 35th HR), Jake McCarthy (average), Willi Castro, Connor Norby, Jordan Beck, Mickey Moniak, Cole Carrigg, TJ Rumfield, and others. Offense is inconsistent away from Coors Field.
Nationals: CJ Abrams, Daylen Lile (recent power), Dylan Crews, Brady House, Jacob Young, Jorbit Vivas, Harry Ford/Keibert Ruiz, and supporting pieces. The club leads or ranks high in home runs but has been streaky offensively.
Recent Team Forms
Rockies (improved slightly: snapped 7-game skid Tuesday; still ~2-8 in last 10 overall): Poor season-long results and road struggles (24-43 away). Tuesday’s win provided a rare positive, but pitching remains a major issue.
Nationals (struggling: L1 after Tuesday’s loss; ~2-8 in last 10): Inconsistent at home and overall. They exploded for 13 runs in the series opener but were held to one on Tuesday. High home-run totals have not translated into consistent wins.
Series History
Nationals won Monday 13-3; Rockies won Tuesday 3-1. Earlier season meetings favored Washington in some contests. Nationals Park is a relatively neutral park.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Tanner Gordon vs. Nationals lineup: Gordon’s elevated ERA and vulnerability to hard contact/home runs make him susceptible to Abrams, Lile, Crews, and House if he leaves pitches up. Road form has been somewhat better.
Matt Waldron vs. Rockies lineup: The knuckleball presents a unique look that can disrupt timing (especially for Goodman’s power and McCarthy’s contact), but his high ERA this season means the Rockies’ opportunistic hitters could capitalize on mistakes.
Bullpens and depth: Both sides have significant IL strain. The team that limits early damage and gets efficient starts holds the advantage.
Power vs. contact: Nationals’ home-run ability vs. Rockies’ ability to manufacture runs on the road.
Betting Trends
Trends reflect two struggling clubs with weak starting pitching. Unders have appeared in some recent low-scoring games in the series, while the opener went heavily over.
GAME ODDS
Colorado Rockies 9
Washington Nationals – 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, August 25, 2026
