First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Capacity: 34,830
Surface: Kentucky Bluegrass
Broadcast: MASN, Bally Sports Great Lakes, MLB.TV
WEATHER REPORT — PROGRESSIVE FIELD (CLEVELAND, OH)
- Temperature: 72°F at first pitch
- Wind: 9–12 mph out to left‑center (boost for RH hitters)
- Humidity: 57%
- Chance of Rain: <10%
- Ballpark Impact: Slightly hitter‑friendly, especially for right‑handed power; warm air + tailwind helps carry.
INJURY REPORT
Washington Nationals
- CJ Abrams — ACTIVE (minor shoulder soreness)
- Lane Thomas — QUESTIONABLE (quad tightness; game‑time decision)
- Keibert Ruiz — ACTIVE (hand bruise)
- Josiah Gray — IL (forearm)
- Hunter Harvey — IL (lat strain)
Cleveland Guardians
- José Ramírez — ACTIVE (rest day Tuesday, expected to start)
- Josh Naylor — ACTIVE (ankle soreness managed)
- Steven Kwan — IL (hamstring)
- Triston McKenzie — IL (shoulder)
- Emmanuel Clase — ACTIVE (normal workload)
TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM
Washington Nationals (29–27)
- Last 10 games: 6–4
- Road record: 14–13
- Run differential: –5
- Strength: Speed, improved rotation, timely hitting
- Weakness: Bullpen depth without Harvey
Washington has won 4 of its last 5 and is playing its most consistent baseball of the season.
Cleveland Guardians (32–25)
- Last 10 games: 5–5
- Home record: 17–11
- Run differential: +21
- Strength: Elite pitching, strong defense, contact‑heavy lineup
- Weakness: Inconsistent power, injuries to key bats
Cleveland has hovered around .500 for two weeks but remains tough at home.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP
Miles Mikolas — RHP, Nationals
- 2026 ERA: 4.02
- WHIP: 1.28
- K/BB: 3.1
- Last 3 starts: 18.0 IP, 7 ER, 12 K
- Pitch mix: Sinker, slider, curve, change
Mikolas relies on command and ground balls. When he keeps the ball down, he’s effective; when elevated, he’s hittable.
Concern: Guardians’ left‑handed bats (Naylor, Brennan) hit sinkers well.
Gavin Williams — RHP, Guardians
- 2026 ERA: 3.31
- WHIP: 1.17
- K/BB: 3.9
- Last 3 starts: 19.2 IP, 5 ER, 23 K
- Pitch mix: 97 mph 4‑seam, slider, curve, change
Williams has been dominant, overpowering hitters with elite velocity and a wipeout slider. He’s been especially strong at home.
Concern: Nationals are a good fastball‑hitting team, especially Abrams and Wood.
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
1. CJ Abrams (WSH) vs. Gavin Williams
- Abrams vs 95+ mph fastballs: .298 AVG
- Williams lives at 96–98 mph
- Abrams’ speed is a major factor on Progressive Field’s big gaps
Edge: Nationals
2. José Ramírez (CLE) vs. Miles Mikolas
- Ramírez vs sinkers: .315 AVG, .560 SLG
- Mikolas’ sinker is his most used pitch
- Ramírez has 3 HR in his last 7 games
Edge: Guardians
3. James Wood (WSH) vs. Cleveland Bullpen
- Wood has been hot (.333 last 10 games)
- Guardians bullpen ERA last 10 games: 3.12 (but vulnerable to LH power)
Edge: Even
4. Josh Naylor (CLE) vs. Mikolas’ Slider
- Naylor vs RHP sliders: .290 AVG, .520 SLG
- Mikolas’ slider is inconsistent this season
Edge: Guardians
SERIES HISTORY
- 2026 season series: Guardians lead 1–0
- Last 20 meetings: Guardians 12, Nationals 8
- At Progressive Field since 2015: Guardians 7–3
- Average runs per game: 8.4
Cleveland has historically controlled this matchup at home.
BETTING TRENDS
Washington Nationals
- 6–4 last 10 games
- 5–2 last 7 road games
- Over is 4–1 in last 5 Mikolas starts
Cleveland Guardians
- 5–2 last 7 home games
- 6–1 last 7 vs teams over .500
- Under is 5–2 in last 7 Williams starts
Head‑to‑Head
- Guardians are 4–1 in last 5 meetings
- Home team is 6–2 in last 8
- First‑five innings Under is 5–2 in last 7
Game Odds
Washington Nationals 8
Cleveland Guardians – 177
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, May 26, 2026
