As the 2025 season continued, the Nationals wore their way down to the dregs of the major leagues — so far down they’re tied with or even below the White Sox in several of those expert power rankings,
if not in the actual standings. That means this is a chance to at least end the year on a good note.
Trying to get the weekend started right will be Yoendrys Gómez, who did well after the White Sox picked him up off of waivers from the Dodgers but has faltered lately, allowing 10 earned runs in 20 1/3 innings in September, though still maintaining excellent control, issuing just three walks in four starts. He’s never faced anyone in the Washington lineup.
Hoping to do the same for the Nats is rookie righty Cade Cavalli, who has a 4.23 season ERA with opponents slashing a very solid .282/.347/.435 against him. Cavalli has been much better at home, with an excellent 2.11 ERA. Much of his bad numbers come from being shellacked by the Yankees a month ago, since when he’s only given up seven runs in 20 innings over four starts, including shutting out the Mets for five innings last time out.
Cavalli will face a White Sox lineup that hopes to recover from a rough stop in Yankee Stadium and that is entirely composed of rookies or those close to it.
Gómez takes on a Nationals lineup that has 30-homer hitter James Woods at the top and old friend Paul De Jong in the 9-slot. Washington isn’t that bad on offense, 20th in runs per game. It’s the pitching that has stunk.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Central, with temps about 80°, zilch chance of rain, and light wind in from center. Usual broadcast suspects.
