The Chicago Cubs play the second game of their three-game series against the Washington Nationals this afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Chicago took the opener yesterday with an offensive outburst, scoring 11 runs on four home runs. The bullpen held firm after starter Javier Assad’s uneven outing (4 ER in 5.1 innings). Nationals starter Jake Irvin fared worse, surrendering seven runs in just 3.1 innings, including two long balls.
The win, however, did little to change the NL Central race, as the Milwaukee Brewers also won, keeping the Cubs 5.5 games back. But Chicago remains firmly in control of the Wild Card standings, holding a five-game cushion over the other contenders for the final three postseason spots.
While the division title slips further out of reach as each September game goes by, steady wins strengthen the Cubs’ Wild Card bid.
Matthew Boyd gets the ball for Chicago today. He’s 12–7 with a 2.94 ERA on the year, though he’s struggled recently, going 1–4 with a 5.09 ERA over his last seven starts. He faced Washington earlier this season, allowing just two runs across 7.1 innings — a promising sign against a light-hitting lineup.
Rookie Brad Lord starts for Washington. Since rejoining the rotation in late July, he’s had a mix of results: some solid outings, like holding the Philadelphia Phillies to two runs over six innings, but also back-to-back rough starts in which he was tagged for 13 earned runs in 7.1 innings.
With a declining fastball velocity and an increasingly hittable changeup and sinker, Lord has been vulnerable.
Predictions
Expect another Cubs victory against the NL East-worst Nationals.
Final Score: Cubs 6, Nationals 3
Starting Lineups
Washington Nationals
1. CJ Abrams — SS
2. James Wood — DH
3. Jorge Alfaro — C
4. Josh Bell — 1B
5. Daylen Lile — LF
6. Dylan Crews — RF
7. Nasim Nunez — 2B
8. Brady House — 3B
9. Jacob Young — CF
Starting Pitcher: Brad Lord (RHP) — 4–8, 4.34 ERA
Chicago Cubs
1. Michael Busch — 1B
2. Ian Happ — LF
3. Seiya Suzuki — DH
4. Pete Crow-Armstrong — CF
5. Nico Hoerner – 2B
6. Carson Kelly – C
7. Willi Castro — RF
8. Dansby Swanson – SS
9. Matt Shaw – 3B
Starting Pitcher: Matthew Boyd (LHP) — 12–7, 2.94 ERA
How to Watch Nationals vs. Cubs
First pitch for this afternoon’s Nationals-Cubs game is set for 2:20 PM Eastern / 1:20 PM Central at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
This game will air on Marquee Sports Network in Chicago and MASN2 in the DMV.
Today’s game also streams live for free on MLB.TV for out-of-market audiences.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
First Pitch: 2:20 PM Eastern / 1:20 PM Central
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
TV: Marquee Sports Network, MASN2
Streaming: MLB.TV (free today)