The Washington Nationals return to Nationals Park on Tuesday, July 28, for a 6:45 PM ET matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. Right-hander Cade Cavalli gets the ball for Washington, drawing the assignment against former AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber. It is a home game with real stakes — any July contest shapes roster confidence and development momentum heading into the final stretch of the 2026 season. Fans can catch the action on Nationals.TV or listen locally on WJFK 106.7 The Fan.

Pitching Matchup: Cade Cavalli vs. Shane Bieber

Cavalli is the centerpiece of this preview for Washington. The hard-throwing right-hander has shown flashes of the ceiling that made him one of the organization's most talked-about arms, and every start he logs at Nationals Park is a data point in the larger question of what the Nationals rotation can look like going forward. His ability to command his fastball and generate swing-and-miss with his secondary stuff will be the thing to watch closely Tuesday night.

On the other side, Bieber is a legitimate test. The Blue Jays right-hander built his reputation on elite command and a devastating slider, and he has consistently given opposing lineups fits when he is at his best. Washington's offense will need to be disciplined and patient against him — working counts rather than expanding early in at-bats.

Keys to Watch for Washington

• Cavalli's pitch efficiency: Can he work deep enough into the game to keep the bullpen fresh? Pitch count and inning depth matter against a lineup as experienced as Toronto's.
• Plate discipline against Bieber: Bieber thrives when hitters chase. The Nationals need to make him work and put pressure on his command.
• Defensive execution: Clean baseball behind Cavalli in the early innings will set the tone. Errors that extend innings can unravel a starter quickly.
• Baserunning aggression: Against a pitcher who commands the zone, Washington will need to manufacture runs where it can — smart baserunning is part of that equation.

Broadcast Information

Tuesday's game is available on Nationals.TV for Washington viewers and on Sportsnet for the Canadian market. Radio listeners in the D.C. area can tune in to WJFK 106.7 The Fan, while Toronto-side audio coverage runs on SN590 THE FAN.

Prediction

This is a tough draw. Bieber is the kind of pitcher who can neutralize an offense for seven innings when his command is sharp, and the Nationals will need a strong outing from Cavalli to stay competitive. The key is keeping it close long enough for Washington's offense to find a crack in Bieber's armor in the middle innings. If Cavalli can give the Nats five or six quality innings and the lineup shows patience, this game is winnable. Expect a tight, low-scoring contest. Nationals 3, Blue Jays 2.