The last time the Cubs played in Washington, they swept a three-game series, the last three of a six-game winning streak last August.

All three Cubs starting pitchers from that series are now on various injured lists: Shōta Imanaga, Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks.

And yet, the Cubs are one of the hottest teams in baseball — and about to face another team on a hot streak.

For more on the Nationals, here’s Sam Sallick, manager of our SB Nation Nationals site Federal Baseball.

The Washington Nationals are coming in red hot. Since their seven-game losing streak earlier in May, they are 11-4. The offense has really been clicking lately. They have scored at least nine runs in each of their last four games. It is different guys getting the job done right now as well.

For most of the season, it has been the James Wood and CJ Abrams show offensively. Those two players were producing at an elite level, but the rest of the lineup was not giving much. Abrams has tailed off a bit the last week or so, but Wood is still performing like a superstar and is the danger man in this lineup. He has breathtaking power, especially to the opposite field and also has a great approach for such a young player.

However, what has really taken this offense to the next level lately is other guys stepping up. After brutal starts, the likes of Josh Bell and Luis Garcia Jr. have really gotten going the past couple weeks. Two of their starting outfielders are hurt in Dylan Crews and Jacob Young, but honestly, their replacements Robert Hassell III and Daylen Lile might be giving the team more. As you have seen on their West Coast trip, the Nats offense can be very dangerous. They are 11th in runs scored, 15th in homers, 15th in OPS and 9th in doubles. Those are big improvements from last year.

On the pitching side, things aren’t as fantastic, especially in the bullpen. The three guys Mike Rizzo brought in are all gone. That has actually helped, as some young guys like Cole Henry are stepping up in the bullpen.

You will see Trevor Williams, MacKenzie Gore and Jake Irvin on the mound. Gore is the Nats ace and leads all of baseball in strikeouts. Williams has had a tough season but is coming off his best start. Irvin has been up and down, but the results have been solid.

This Nats team is surging right now. It is a young squad that is finding some real confidence right now. The Cubs are excellent, but if they aren’t careful, these young bucks can pounce on you.

Fun facts

It is hard to believe that 2025 is the 20th anniversary of the Cubs’ first trip to Washington after the Montreal Expos moved to the capital and became the Nationals.

The Cubs have fared much better at Washington than they did at Montreal. They are 33-32 on the road vs. the Nationals, thanks to that three-game sweep last season. They were 109-146 vs. the Expos in Montreal.

Pittsburgh is the only other National League city at which the Cubs have a winning record since 2005. They are 95-75 when visiting the Pirates. They are 34-34 at New York.

Last year’s sweep was the third by the Cubs at Washington. The others were four games, in 2009, and three games, in 2010. They have been swept only once, in 2006.

(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Probable pitching matchups

Tuesday: Cade Horton, RHP (2-0, 3.98 ERA, 1.230 WHIP, 4.95 FIP) vs. Trevor Williams, RHP (3-5, 5.69 ERA, 1.446 WHIP, 4.09 FIP)

Wednesday: Matthew Boyd, RHP (5-2, 3.08 ERA, 1.255 WHIP, 3.45 FIP) vs. MacKenzie Gore, LHP (2-5, 3.16 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 2.65 FIP)

Thursday: TBD vs. Jake Irvin, RHP (5-1, 3.93 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, 4.43 FIP)

NOTE: Thursday would be Colin Rea’s turn. Thus Craig Counsell apparently has other plans, or perhaps he’ll try an opener with Rea. As always, we await developments.

Times & TV channels

Tuesday: 5:45 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Wednesday: 5:45 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Thursday: 5:45 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Prediction

As Sam Sallick noted, the Nationals are on a hot streak, having won 11 of 15.

But you know what, the Cubs are a hot team too — their 14-4 record since May 11 is the best in MLB over that span.

I think the Cubs can keep the meatloaf going and win two of three in DC.

Up next

The Cubs head to Detroit for a three-game series against the Tigers beginning Friday evening.

Poll
How many games will the Cubs win against the Nationals?