Venue: Petco Park, San Diego, California.
First pitch: 9:40 p.m. ET (6:40 p.m. local).
TV/Streaming: Nationals.TV and Padres.TV (SDPA); additional options may include ESPN platforms or Fubo.
Starting Pitchers
Nationals: RHP Riley Cornelio (2-2, 5.96 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 23 K in 22.2 IP). Cornelio has limited big-league experience this season with elevated walk rates and a high ERA. He profiles as a depth/bullpen-game type option in a challenging matchup.
Padres: RHP Casey Mize (5-9, 3.64 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 100 K in 113.2 IP). Mize provides a more established presence with better command and a lower ERA. Acquired midseason, he has shown solid strikeout ability despite a sub-.500 record.
Mize holds a clear edge in experience, peripherals, and overall effectiveness.
Weather Forecast
Warm and mostly clear to sunny conditions typical of San Diego. Daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s°F inland (cooler near the coast around Petco), with game-time temperatures in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 5–10 mph. Very low precipitation chance—excellent baseball weather with no significant delay risk.
Injury Reports
Nationals:
Richard Lovelady (RP): 60-day IL (triceps).
DJ Herz (SP): 60-day IL (elbow).
PJ Poulin (RP): 60-day IL (flexor).
Orlando Ribalta (RP): 15-day IL (forearm).
Connelly Early (SP) and others on longer-term IL (elbow/arm issues). Several arms sidelined, contributing to bullpen and rotation depth concerns.
Padres:
Gavin Sheets (1B): 10-day IL (foot).
Miguel Andujar (DH): 10-day IL (wrist).
Jeremiah Estrada (RP): 15-day IL (shoulder).
Longer-term: Lucas Giolito, Jason Adam, Joe Musgrove, Luis Rengifo, Ramon Laureano (elbow/shoulder/knee/hip). Depth is stretched but the core lineup remains competitive.
Both clubs are managing significant pitching injuries; San Diego’s position-player absences are more limited.
Current Rosters / Key Players
Nationals key contributors: James Wood (power, ~30 HR), CJ Abrams (speed/power, ~30 HR and strong RBI totals), Dylan Crews, and supporting pieces providing OBP and athleticism. Team batting ~.248 with solid on-base numbers.
Padres key contributors: Fernando Tatis Jr. (all-around production, multi-hit games common), Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and a balanced supporting cast. Team OBP ranks solidly; they have shown timely hitting at home (44-29).
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Cornelio vs. Padres hitters: Faces a dangerous core led by Tatis Jr.’s bat speed and plate discipline plus Machado’s experience. Cornelio’s high walk rate could create traffic against patient San Diego bats.
Mize vs. Nationals hitters: Better command challenges Washington’s young power (Wood, Abrams). Mize’s ability to limit hard contact will be tested by the Nationals’ OBP-focused approach.
This is Game 2 of the series (Padres won the opener 3-2 on Monday). Season series is competitive (tied or near-even entering the game).
Recent Team Forms
Nationals: Struggling, with an eight-game road losing streak and recent 0-5 or 4-6 stretches in the last 10. 67-79 overall (fourth in NL East); out of meaningful contention.
Padres: 3-2 or 4-6 last 10 but competitive overall (76-68, third in NL West). Strong at home and in the wild-card hunt (half-game back of Arizona in recent reports). They took Game 1 of this series.
Series History
Current three-game set at Petco (Padres lead 1-0 after Monday’s 3-2 win). The clubs have split or stayed close in the 2026 season series. Interleague/NL West-East matchups have been competitive, with San Diego holding the home advantage in this series.
Betting Trends
Heavy home favorites against a skidding road underdog. Public leans strongly toward San Diego given the pitching disparity, home record, and Nationals’ road woes. Totals sit moderately low, reflecting Petco’s pitcher-friendly tendencies and the starters involved.
Game Odds
Washington Nationals 8
San Diego Padres – 180
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, September 7, 2026
