The Washington Nationals wrap up their road trip with a tough assignment Saturday night, September 5, 2026, when Cade Cavalli takes the ball against Tyler Glasnow and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 9:10 PM ET. This is a genuine measuring-stick moment for a Nationals squad trying to prove it can compete against one of the National League's most formidable rosters. A win here would carry weight. A loss would not be a surprise, but Washington is not flying to Los Angeles just to go through the motions.

Pitching Matchup: Cade Cavalli vs. Tyler Glasnow

Glasnow is the headliner on this card, a big-framed power pitcher who can dominate lineups with elite strikeout stuff. The Nationals will need patience at the plate and disciplined at-bats to work pitch counts and get into the Los Angeles bullpen. Chasing Glasnow's fastball early in counts is a recipe for a long night.

Cavalli gets the assignment for Washington. The right-hander has shown flashes of the arm talent that made him a top prospect, and starts against lineups of this caliber are exactly the kind of outings that define a pitcher's development. He will need to command the zone efficiently — if he falls behind hitters in this Dodgers order, the damage can escalate fast.

The Dodgers Lineup Is a Genuine Problem

Los Angeles is stacking one of the more complete lineups in the National League. Freddie Freeman hits second at first base, Mookie Betts slots into the three-hole at shortstop, and Kyle Tucker brings his bat to right field at the five spot. That stretch in the middle of the order is a significant challenge for any starting pitcher.

• Tommy Edman leads off in center field and will look to set the table early
• Freddie Freeman at 1B gives the Dodgers a consistent on-base presence hitting second
• Mookie Betts moves to shortstop and hits third — a potent combination of contact and power
• Max Muncy hits cleanup at third base and presents a left-handed power threat
• Kyle Tucker in right field at five is one of the more dangerous hitters in the lineup
• Teoscar Hernández, Dalton Rushing, Alex Freeland, and Hunter Feduccia round out a lineup with no soft spots

Keys to the Game for Washington

Limit the Damage Early

Cavalli needs to navigate the top of the Dodgers order cleanly in the first and second innings. A crooked number early against this offense is very difficult to overcome. Keeping the game within reach through five or six innings gives the Nationals a chance.

Make Glasnow Work

The Nationals lineup has to resist the urge to expand the zone against Glasnow. Long at-bats, walks, and hard contact on hittable pitches are the path to keeping this game competitive. Free passes from Glasnow are opportunities Washington cannot afford to squander.

Bullpen Management

If Cavalli gives the Nationals five solid innings, the game is winnable. Washington's staff decisions in the middle frames will shape the outcome significantly against a lineup this deep.

Prediction

The Dodgers are at home with one of the game's better pitchers on the mound and a deep, dangerous lineup behind him. That is a difficult combination to beat on the road. But Cavalli has the arm to keep Washington in this game if he is sharp, and road upsets are part of September baseball. Expect a competitive game that ultimately tilts toward Los Angeles. Dodgers 5, Nationals 3.

Catch the game on Nationals.TV or listen on WJFK 106.7 The Fan.