It took the Nationals until the 11th day in September to get their 2nd win of the month, but they proceeded to sweep the Los Angeles Angels in a 3-game series to boost morale going into the last 2 weeks of the 2026 season. All 3 games were decided by just 1 run, but a healthy mix of starting pitching and well-timed offense pushed them over the top in each contest. With 4.5 games separating the Phillies and Atlanta Braves for the top spot in the National League East, Philadelphia is much more concerned
with maintaining a spot in the playoff race, sitting just 1.0 game ahead of the San Diego Padres for the 2nd Wild Card spot.
It’s been a rocky month of September for the Phillies, but they were able to salvage their most recent series against Atlanta with a Game 3 victory. It’s crunch time for them as the NL Wild Card race continues to heat up, with the next 2 weeks deciding who makes the playoffs, as well as which team will host a series in October. The Nats will have to face 2 elite arms this week and are taking on a team with everything to lose over their upcoming 12 games.
Game One – Tuesday, 6:45 PM ET
WSH: LHP Jackson Kent (1-4, 6.59 ERA)
PHI: LHP Cristopher Sanchez (17-5, 2.79 ERA)
Sanchez was finally able to earn his elusive 17th win in his last start, and the southpaw is set to finish in the Top 5 of National League Cy Young voting this year. The Nats might have an advantage, however, as not one of the Phillies’ hitters has faced Kent before, and the Philadelphia lineup notoriously struggles against new matchups.
Game Two – Wednesday, 6:45 PM ET
WSH: RHP Cade Cavalli (12-5, 3.12 ERA)
PHI: RHP Zack Wheeler (12-5, 3.14 ERA)
These pitchers are about as close as it gets statistically, and Cavalli’s young career mirrors much of what Wheeler went through back when he was a top prospect in the New York Mets’ system. Cavalli will be looking to put finishing touches on his phenomenal 2026 campaign, and outdueling a top veteran arm in Wheeler would be a perfect way to do so.
