The Washington Nationals host the New York Yankees on Sunday, July 12, at Nationals Park for a 1:35 PM ET first pitch. Right-hander Cade Cavalli takes the ball for Washington against Will Warren, who gets the nod for New York. This is a marquee home matchup for a Nationals club that has been leaning on its young core to make a statement against one of the American League's most recognizable franchises — and Sunday afternoon offers exactly that kind of proving-ground opportunity.

Nationals vs. Yankees Starting Pitchers: Cavalli Against Warren

Cade Cavalli draws the start for Washington. The hard-throwing right-hander has had his career derailed by injury, but every time he steps on the mound at Nationals Park, there's genuine electricity around what his stuff can do. His raw power pitching — when he's on — gives the Nationals a legitimate shot to control a game against any lineup in baseball.

Will Warren gets the ball for New York. The young Yankees right-hander has been working to carve out a rotation spot and establish himself at the big-league level. He's not yet a known quantity, which means Washington's hitters will be doing real work in their early at-bats trying to time his stuff and identify his go-to pitches under pressure.

Washington Nationals Lineup: Young Core Gets a Big Moment

Manager Dave Martinez sends out a lineup built around the organization's most exciting young talent. James Wood leads off in right field, with Luis García Jr. hitting second at first base. Abimelec Ortiz slides into the DH spot and bats third, followed by CJ Abrams cleaning up at shortstop — a sign of the trust the organization has placed in the 23-year-old switch-hitter. Dylan Crews hits fifth in center field, with Daylen Lile, José Tena, Jorbit Vivas, and Keibert Ruiz rounding out the bottom of the order.

That is a lot of youth in one batting order. The upside is obvious — this group has speed, athleticism, and upside that few lineups in baseball can match at the developmental stage. The challenge is consistency against veteran pitching, and Warren will test them early.

New York Yankees Lineup: Experience and Pop Throughout

New York counters with a lineup that mixes veterans and emerging talent. Trent Grisham leads off in center, with Ben Rice at first base hitting second. Jasson Domínguez bats third as the DH, followed by Cody Bellinger in left field cleaning up. Jazz Chisholm Jr. hits fifth at second base, with José Caballero, Ryan McMahon, Austin Wells, and Max Schuemann filling out the bottom half.

Bellinger and Chisholm represent genuine run-producing threats in the middle of that order. Cavalli will need to be sharp against those two in particular — leaving anything elevated in the zone to either of them is a quick way to change the scoreboard at Nationals Park.

Keys to Watch Sunday at Nationals Park

• Whether Cavalli can command his fastball and secondary pitches through the middle innings against a disciplined Yankees lineup
• How CJ Abrams handles the cleanup spot — a big performance there would be a real statement game for the young shortstop
• James Wood setting the table at the top of the order; his ability to get on base early puts immediate pressure on Warren
• How the Nationals bullpen is managed if Cavalli exits before the sixth inning
• Chisholm and Bellinger — both capable of changing a game with one swing against a pitcher finding his rhythm

Prediction

This one comes down to Cavalli. When he's right, he's one of the more compelling arms in the National League — his velocity and movement give hitters real problems. If he can get through five or six innings and limit the damage from Bellinger and Chisholm, the Nationals' young lineup has enough dynamic pieces to put up runs against Warren, who is still establishing himself at this level. Nationals Park crowd behind them on a Sunday afternoon, lineup loaded with speed and youth — give Washington the edge here in a game that should stay close into the seventh.

Catch the action on Nationals.TV or listen along on WJFK 106.7 The Fan. First pitch is at 1:35 PM ET.