Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals, July 5, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are finishing off their series in the nation’s capital with a matchup against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.
The Pirates will start Bubba Chandler, who struggled in his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched 6.1 innings, the longest start of his season, but gave up seven hits and five runs in an 8-0 loss to the Phillies.
The Nats are countering with Miles Mikolas, who is struggling in his first year in the nation’s capital. Mikolas is 2-7 with a 5.44
ERA so far this season for the Nationals. The 37-year-old spent eight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and was named to the All-Star team twice, but he isn’t playing at that level this season.
In his last start at Family Park against the Boston Red Sox, Michaelis pitched seven innings, giving up nine hits and six earned runs in a 6-3 loss. Mikolas also pitched 3.1 innings against the Pirates earlier in the season, giving up three hits and three earned runs on April 14 at PNC Park. The Nationals won the game 5-4.
It’s been a unique series for the Pirates against the Nats on the weekend of Independence Day with strange start times, but a win at the end of their time in D.C. will set them up for a strong final push before the All-Star break.
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Peacock
Pitching Matchup: Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.62 ERA) vs. Miles Mikolas (2-7, 5.44 ERA)
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