Chicago Cubs (71-50) at Washington Nationals (59-63) | Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 3:05 PM ET | Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
The Cubs have outscored the Nationals 20-12 through the first two games of this series, and today Chicago has a real chance to close it out with a sweep. As a Cubs fan, I love how this offense has traveled well on this road trip — no matter what Washington’s pitching staff has thrown at them, this lineup has found a way to put runs on the board. Today’s matchup features a genuinely tough Cade Cavalli on the mound for the Nationals, so it won’t be a total layup, but the way this Cubs team has been hitting lately, I like Chicago’s chances of finishing the job.
Here’s the full breakdown of today’s series finale at Nationals Park: pitching probables, odds, and my final prediction.
Game Info: Cubs vs. Nationals
- Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
- First Pitch: 4:05 PM ET
- Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
- TV/Streaming: MASN, Marquee Sports Network
- Series: Cubs lead 2-0 after wins of 8-6 and 12-6
The Backdrop: A Dominant Road Series, But Washington’s Offense Has Real Punch
This has been a lopsided series on the scoreboard, but not necessarily a boring one — both games have featured plenty of offense from both sides. The Cubs are 71-50, sitting comfortably in playoff position, and have shown they can win in a variety of ways on this trip. Washington, at 59-63, has actually been one of the more productive offenses in baseball this season despite the losing record, averaging an MLB-best 5.36 runs per game according to recent data. That’s a stat worth remembering before assuming today is a formality.
Still, the gap in overall roster quality is real. James Wood remains out for Washington, robbing this lineup of a genuine middle-of-the-order threat, and the Nationals’ pitching depth beyond today’s starter has been a real weakness all series. Chicago has capitalized on exactly that in the first two games.
Probable Pitchers
Chicago Cubs: Kevin Gausman (6-10, 4.29 ERA)
Gausman is chasing his seventh win of the season, and while his overall numbers haven’t been dominant since joining Chicago, he’s given this team a chance to win more often than the raw ERA suggests. Today’s matchup against a Nationals lineup that’s been productive against pitching all year is a real test, but a Cubs offense clicking on all cylinders behind him takes plenty of pressure off.
Washington Nationals: Cade Cavalli (9-5, 3.57 ERA)
This is the pitcher who can spoil the sweep. Cavalli has been genuinely excellent for Washington this season, and a 9-5 record with a sub-3.60 ERA stands out on a staff that’s struggled overall. He’s the one arm on this Nationals staff capable of shutting down a hot lineup, and Chicago will need to be patient and disciplined at the plate to avoid letting him settle into a groove.
Betting Odds for Cubs vs. Nationals
- Moneyline: Chicago Cubs -128 to -155 (varies by book) / Washington Nationals +106 to +125
- Total: 8 runs
There’s a real range in how different books are pricing this game, and that split tells its own story. Some books are leaning heavily on Chicago’s superior overall record and recent offensive output in this series. Others are giving real weight to Cavalli’s strong season and Washington’s MLB-best scoring rate, which explains the more modest Cubs price at some shops. Either way, Chicago is favored, but this isn’t viewed as a lock the way Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games were.
Key Storylines to Watch
Can Chicago’s lineup solve a legitimately good pitcher? Cavalli isn’t Miles Mikolas or Jake Irvin — he’s had a genuinely strong season, and today is a different challenge than what the Cubs have seen from Washington’s rotation the first two games of this series.
Pete Crow-Armstrong remains a prop target. He’s been a driving force in this offense for months, and oddsmakers have him projected for another productive day at the plate.
Seiya Suzuki and Keibert Ruiz round out the value plays. Both have been featured in favorable prop markets today, a reflection of how well this Chicago lineup has performed against Washington all series.
James Wood’s absence is still the story for Washington. Even with the Nationals scoring at an elite rate as a team, missing a bat of his caliber makes it that much harder to overcome a strong Cavalli start with enough run support to actually win.
Prediction: Cubs vs. Nationals
Cade Cavalli gives me some pause about calling this an easy sweep, and Washington’s offensive numbers this season are legitimately better than the record suggests. But this Cubs lineup has been too relentless for too many days in a row to bet against, even against a quality arm. Chicago’s third-time-through-the-order numbers have been elite all year, and I think that shows up again today if Gausman can just keep this competitive into the middle innings.
As a Cubs fan, I’m feeling good about the sweep. Give me Chicago’s offense finding a way to get to Cavalli late and closing out this series in style.
Final Score Prediction: Chicago Cubs 6, Washington Nationals 4
Odds, probable pitchers, and injury statuses are subject to change ahead of first pitch — always confirm the latest lineups and lines before placing any wagers. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
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