MLB Game Preview: Washington Nationals (53-79) vs. New York Yankees (72-60)

Game Details

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM ET, with coverage on MLB Network.

Pitching Matchup

Starting for the Yankees is left‐hander Max Fried (13-5, 3.14 ERA, 148 strikeouts in 155⅔ innings pitched), who tossed six scoreless frames in his last outing and is aiming for his seventh straight quality start. Opposing him for Washington is righty Cade Cavalli (1-0, 2.82 ERA, 18 strikeouts in 22⅓ IP), making his fifth start of the season after limiting hitters to a .227 average last time out.

Team Overviews

New York boasts a dominant home mark (40-28) and leads MLB in power with 218 home runs, a .453 slugging percentage, and 676 runs scored this season. Their lineup ranks third in on-base percentage (.330) and eighth in batting average (.251).

Washington has struggled on the road (27-40 away) and hits .244 as a unit, slugging .388 with 125 long balls, ranking 23rd in slugging and 19th in batting average.

Key Storylines

• Interleague rivalry heats up as the Yankees hold a 2-0 edge in the season series, including a 5-1 win on Monday at Yankee Stadium.
• New York is locked in a tight AL East chase, while Washington seeks to snap a five-game road skid.
• Conditions are hitter-friendly, with temperatures in the low 80s, clear skies, and a light 7 mph southwest breeze.

Players to Watch

• Aaron Judge (NYY): 40 home runs, 27 doubles, and two triples anchoring New York’s middle order.
• Giancarlo Stanton (NYY): 13-for-28 with three doubles and six homers over his last ten games, delivering late-inning power.
• C.J. Abrams (WSH): 27 doubles, five triples, 17 homers, and 52 RBI, providing pop and speed atop Washington’s lineup.
• Paul DeJong (WSH): Three homers and eight RBI in his last ten games, offering timely offense in the lower third of the order.

Betting Outlook

New York games have gone over the total in 63 of 130 opportunities, and Washington has won 43% of contests when priced as long shots.

Game 3 swings in New York’s favor. Expect Max Fried to navigate deep into the matchup, the Yankees’ offense to punctuate early, and the home crowd to roar.