The Washington Nationals host the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park on Friday, August 7, 2026, with first pitch set for 6:45 PM ET. Right-hander Cade Cavalli gets the ball for Washington in what shapes up as a mid-season home matchup between two National League clubs with plenty at stake in the second half. Cincinnati has not announced a probable starter. The game airs locally on Nationals.TV and Fox 5 WTTG, with radio coverage on WJFK 106.7 The Fan.

Pitching Matchup: Cavalli Leads Washington's Start

Cade Cavalli draws the assignment for the Nationals on Friday. The right-hander has been one of the more closely watched arms in Washington's rotation given the development questions that have followed him since his professional debut. ERA and win-loss figures for this appearance are not yet available, so the focus heading into Friday is simply on what Cavalli can execute over his innings — command, pitch mix, and his ability to work through a Reds lineup that can make contact and put pressure on opposing pitchers.

Cincinnati has not confirmed a starter as of this writing. That is a detail worth monitoring before first pitch, as the unknown arm adds a layer of preparation uncertainty for the Nationals' lineup.

Keys to Watch on Friday Night

Cavalli's Command and Durability

When Cavalli is on, he can generate swings and misses with his fastball-slider combination. The question for Washington is whether he can string together quality innings and keep his pitch count in a range that avoids an early call to the bullpen. The Nationals' relief corps has been tested this season, so a long outing from Cavalli would be a genuine asset.

Washington's Offense Against an Unknown Arm

Facing a pitcher with no advance scouting information available publicly can cut both ways. The Nationals' lineup will need to stay disciplined early, work counts, and adjust quickly to whatever the Reds' starter brings. Washington will look to put runners on base and make the most of opportunities in the middle innings.

Cincinnati's Lineup Discipline

The Reds have shown they can grind at-bats and manufacture runs. Washington's infield will need to stay sharp and avoid the kind of errors or mental lapses that turn manageable innings into crooked numbers on the scoreboard.

Broadcast Information

• TV: Nationals.TV, Fox 5 WTTG, Gray Media, Reds.TV
• Radio: WJFK 106.7 The Fan (Washington), WLW 700 (Cincinnati)

Prediction

This one hinges almost entirely on what Cavalli brings to the mound. If he commands his secondary pitches and avoids the big inning, the Nationals have the lineup depth to put up enough runs at Nationals Park to take a Friday night win. Give Washington the edge at home — Nationals 4, Reds 3.